WMF20: Krusty the Clown makes a cool addition to the licenced low-mintage bullion coin market

Getting pushed to one side a little by the bigger James Bond 007 bullion coin launch, the latest Simpsons bullion coin release is, in our opinion at least, a far better coin. The Simpsons has entered the world of popular culture in a way that only the very best of animated works do, and Krusty the Clown is easily one of the more memorable characters in the long-running show.

Most of the coins issued like this are fairly generic and while pleasing to fans of the subject, relatively unremarkable. This design is just packed with appeal, however. We picked one up at the World Money Fair (image of the coin below) and it’s a great coin in hand.

Just a 1oz silver bullion coin at present, no news on a proof, it has a mintage of 25,000 pieces and is supplied encapsulated. Of that 25k, the Perth Mint will be directly selling 2,500 of them mounted to the blistercard they use with some regularity, all neatly themed. A nice way to buy for the Simpsons fan, but also far more expensive and less easy to stack, so as the old saying goes, ‘You pay the money, you make your choice’. Available now.

KRUSTY THE CLOWN

Springing from the mind of Matt Groening, the cartoonist that created The Simpsons, Krusty is described as a a cynical, burnt-out, addiction-riddled smoker who is made miserable by show business but continues on anyway. Groening hails from Portland, Oregon, and partly based the character on a local TV clown called Rusty Nails.

He has gone on to become on the Simpsons most popular characters outside of the star family itself, and there have been several great episodes showcasing his exploits, and those of his compatriot, Sideshow Bob (voiced by Kelsey Grammar in fine style). Krusty is voiced by Dan Castellaneta, who, amongst other characters, is most famous for Homer Simpson himself. Indeed, Krusty was meant to look like Homer in disguise as it was originally intended that Krusty actually was Homer.

Long timer host of Bart Simpsons favourite TV program ‘The Itchy & Scratchy Show’, Krusty’s real name is Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky. Castellaneta has won awards, including an Emmy, for his voice work with the character. Krusty made his television debut on January 15, 1989 in the Tracey Ullman Show short “The Krusty the Clown Show”.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Simpsons premiered as a half hour-series in 1989 and instantly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon, now seen across 60 countries in 20 languages. In 2018, The Simpsons reached an incredible milestone becoming the longest-running primetime scripted show in television history.

REVERSE: depicts a representation of Krusty the Clown smiling with two thumbs up and the inscription ‘KRUSTY THE CLOWN’. The design also includes Matt Groening’s signature and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

OBVERSE: The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2020 year-date, the coin’s weight and fineness and the monetary denomination are depicted on the coin’s obverse.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION $1 TVD (Tuvalu)
COMPOSITION 0.9999 silver
WEIGHT 31.107 grams
DIMENSIONS 40.9 mm
FINISH Bullion
MODIFICATIONS None
MINTAGE 25,000 (2,500 on card)
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes (card version)