Winter Hunters debuts with ‘White Tiger’, a new coin series employing a unique technique to show frost and ice

Even just a quick glance through this site will tell you all you need to know on just how popular animal coins are. Indeed, the frontal portrait view is a staple of that genre, so when the latest one dropped into the inbox from Numiartis, we thought we were on familiar territory. However, this one, the first in a three-coin series titled ‘Winter Hunters’ has a pretty cool trick up its sleeve.

The debut coin depicts a rare sight, a white tiger, and barring piercing blue eyes and a very boopable nose, is white all over. There’s high-relief, of course, and the big cat’s face looks very well realised. So, from the front at least, it has broad similarities to other ranges, from CIT and Numiscollect, for example. Numiartis also sent us lots of high-resolution images of the coin as well, and it’s here we see that special touch.

One thing that’s hard to bring to life on a coin, is a cold, frozen environment, but using a new technique co-developed with the Mint of Poland, they’ve cracked the problem. The snowy frost build-up is quite extraordinary, almost looking like ice crystals were grown in-situ on the coin face. The images are very detailed and show the effect much better than I could describe it.

The obverse carries the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, but for the main part, this face features a footprints-in-the-snow design – quite appropriate. The edge of this three-ounce silver coin carries the words ‘WHITE TIGER’ engraved into it. The coin has a mintage of 369 pieces, and will come boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity. It should be available to pre-order this week, with shipping in late-January. An excellent, and highly original effect, we look forward to seeing what they do with it in future.

REAL-WORLD CLOSE-UPS

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION $5 NZD (Niue)
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 93.3 grams
DIMENSIONS 50.0 mm
FINISH Antiqued
MODIFICATIONS High-relief, Colour, Ice/Snow effect
MINTAGE 369
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes