Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Star Wars Series Two: One Ounce Silver Legal Tender Coins




Anakin Skywalker

The Jedi Order discovered Anakin Skywalker as a slave boy on Tatooine. He had the potential to be the most powerful Force-user ever, and perhaps was even the Chosen One of an ancient Jedi prophecy. Apprenticed to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin was a headstrong and challenging Padawan learner. Despite the strict rules of the Jedi Code, he fell in love with and secretly married Senator Padmé Amidala.

At the onset of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Council quickly promoted him to Jedi Knight. A daring pilot and a skilled warrior, Anakin's confidence is his greatest asset, and, at times, also his greatest liability. In an effort to teach him responsibility, Master Yoda gave Anakin a Padawan learner: young Ahsoka Tano. Though their relationship was stormy at first, Anakin and his apprentice quickly found a common ground.





Darth Maul

Darth Maul began life as one of the Nightbrothers on Dathomir. Darth Sidious brutally trained his apprentice to be a weapon of the Sith as well as a scheming mastermind. A relentless and acrobatic warrior with an extremely dangerous double-ended lightsaber, Maul longed for revenge against the Jedi, to destroy the Order and restore power to the Sith. Defeated at the Battle of Naboo, Maul disappeared from the galaxy for over a decade before reemerging as a new threat during the Clone Wars.








Padme Amidala

An idealist during a time of corruption and war in the Republic, Padmé Amidala was determined to fix what wrongs she could in the Senate, where she represented her idyllic home planet of Naboo. Despite her busy career, Padmé found time for a secret, forbidden marriage with Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi hero of the Clone Wars. Though not a soldier, Padmé nonetheless found herself often in the thick of danger as she courageously defended her deepest held beliefs.


An idealist during a time of corruption and war in the Republic, Padmé Amidala was determined to fix what wrongs she could in the Senate, where she represented her idyllic home planet of Naboo. Despite her busy career, Padmé found time for a secret, forbidden marriage with Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi hero of the Clone Wars. Though not a soldier, Padmé nonetheless found herself often in the thick of danger as she courageously defended her deepest held beliefs.







Yoda

The Grand Master of the Jedi Council, Yoda has trained Jedi for over 800 years. He is wise and powerful in the ways of the Force, though his small size causes many to underestimate him. Yoda prefers meditation and reflection, spending much time pondering the mysteries of the Force.

In his long lifetime, he has witnessed the decay of the Galactic Republic, and saw the Jedi Order transform from peacekeepers to battlefield commanders in the Clone Wars. When he must, Yoda wields his lightsaber and becomes a whirling warrior of great speed and agility. A stern instructor, Yoda nonetheless has a mischievous sense of humor. With the rise of the Galactic Empire, Yoda fled into exile and awaited the arrival of a new Jedi student to rekindle a new hope in the galaxy.



About the 2nd Series Design

Following the success of the first release of Star Wars coins, New Zealand Mint is proud to launch the limited mintage second series. Housed in either the hugely popular Darth Vader head or Millennium Falcon ship, these coins will be a must have edition for all Star Wars devotees and coin-collectors alike.

Reverse Design

The four 1oz 999 silver coins available in this series feature a full coloured image of four iconic characters from the movies - Anakin Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Yoda and Darth Maul.

Obverse Design

The obverse of the coin features The Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.

Limited Mintage

Each coin in the Star Wars set is struck from 1oz of fine 999 silver. No more than 7,500 of each coin will be issued by the New Zealand Mint. The coins are legal tender of Niue Island. Please note the 4 coins will be available to purchase in either the Darth Vader or Millennium Falcon packaging however the total mintage for the coins is 7,500 per coin.

Packaging

The silver coin series will be packaged in both the popular Darth Vader head and the Millennium Falcon ship. Open the Darth Vader case and hear authentic movie sound effects of Darth Vader breathing. Open the Millennium Falcon case and hear authentic movie sound effects of the ship’s iconic “jump to light speed”.

Authenticity

Each Star Wars set comes with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity issued by New Zealand Mint.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Australian Lunar Series II 2012 Year of the Dragon 1oz Gold Proof High Relief Coin


Australian Lunar Series II 2012 Year of the Dragon 1oz Gold Proof High Relief Coin at The Perth Mint, featuring:
  • Proof Quality 99.99% Pure Gold
  • High Relief Design
  • Australian Legal Tender
  • Extremely Limited Mintage – 388
  • Stunning Illustrated Presentation Packaging
Only 388 of these outstanding coins have been minted, so act now to secure this exclusive and prestigious release.   Struck in high relief for extra impact, this gleaming gold dragon is a must for all collectors.

The birth dates for people ruled by the Chinese Lunar dragon include 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012.  This rare release represents the perfect gift for anyone you know born in these auspicious years.


Proof Quality 99.99% Pure Gold

The coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.99% pure gold.

High Relief Design

The coin’s high relief reverse and obverse are minted on concave surfaces to ensure the optimum flow of metal is achieved by the strike of the die.

The coin’s reverse depicts a representation of a dragon with a symbolic ‘pearl of wisdom’.  The Chinese character for ‘dragon’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Dragon’ also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

Extremely Limited Mintage

No more than 388 coins will be issued by The Perth Mint.

Australian Legal Tender

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the coin’s obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2012 year-date and the monetary denomination.

Stunning Illustrated Presentation Packaging

The coin is housed in a display case and beautifully illustrated shipper and is accompanied by numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Technical Specifications:

Silver Content (Troy oz) 1
Monetary Denomination (AUD) 100
Fineness (% purity) 99.99
Minimum Gross Weight (g) 31.107
Maximum Diameter (mm) 27.30
Maximum Thickness (mm) 5.00

Friday, November 2, 2012

Australian Lunar Series II 2013 Year of the Snake Gold Proof Coloured Editions Perth Mint, Australia


Australian Lunar Series II 2013 Year of the Snake Gold Proof Coloured Editions at The Perth Mint

  • Proof Quality 99.99% Pure Gold
  • Stunning 2013 Year of the Snake Designs
  • Australian Legal Tender
  • 1oz, 1/4oz and 1/10oz Sizes
  • Extremely Limited Mintages
  • Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
  • Prestigious Display Case and Shipper

The Perth Mint is extremely proud to present the latest designs in our internationally renowned Australian Lunar Series II.  The outstanding new coins celebrate 2013, the lucky Year of the Snake and the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.


The birth-years for those born under this ancient Lunar horoscope include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013.

Proof Quality 99.99% Pure Gold

Each coin is meticulously struck from 99.99% pure gold in proof quality.

Stunning 2013 Year of the Snake Designs

The reverse of the coin depicts a representation of a red and gold snake with bamboo.  The colours red and gold symbolise good luck, wealth and happiness.  The Chinese character for ‘snake’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Snake’ also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

Australian Legal Tender

Issued as Australian legal tender, the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2013 year-date and the monetary denomination are shown on the obverse of each coin.  

Extremely Limited Mintage

The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 1oz coins, 5,000 1/4oz coins and 5,000 1/10oz coins.

Numbered Certificate of Authenticity

A numbered Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each coin.

Stunning Presentation Display Case

The coins are housed in elegant oval-shaped display cases, featuring a glossy timber-effect lid and presented in coloured illustrated shippers.