We kick off our Holiday Gift Guide for 2020 with a look at one of the excellent coins available from New Zealand Mint.
This year has been most unusual and not what any of us could have wanted, but amongst the gloom it has brought us the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the second season of The Mandalorian, and the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. With Star Wars Celebration cancelled due to the pandemic, we were robbed of a collective opportunity to celebrate the anniversary together, but there have been many products released throughout the year to mark this occasion. One of these is a 1oz silver coin from New Zealand Mint featuring a replica of the poster released to announce the movie’s release in 1980.
During our visits to Toy Fair in New York we have been fortunate to see numerous products up close at the New Zealand Mint booth, and we can confirm that the press pictures don’t always do these coins and collectibles justice. It is difficult to see the detail and to photograph the coins without reflection due to the metal surfaces.
The striking rectangle coin, measuring 53mm x 36mm, features the image of the poster on one side incorporating both colour and engraving, as well as the film’s 40th anniversary logo, and on the reverse is the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The 1oz silver coins is legal tender in the South Pacific island nation of Niue.
The coin is presented in a small rectangular cardboard box which features the familiar Star Wars collector centric design in black and grey; the box also features the 40th anniversary logo. Inside the package is the coin, encased in an ingenious but very simple acrylic holder and frame, along with a certificate of authenticity which features a unique edition number, this release is limited to just 1,980 pieces. The two-piece acrylic holder, held together by strong magnets in each corner, enables the coin to be displayed, although it be easily removed by pushing your finger through the hole on the rear part of the stand causing the two-pieces to separate. The coin itself is housed in its own acrylic case.
The detail on the coin is stunning, the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is striking whilst the poster just pops from the coin highlighting the many details including Vader’s mask, the kiss between Han and Leia, and the AT-ATs walking on Hoth. The starburst on the poster is picked out in silver, as is the phrase “The Star Wars Saga Continues”. The bottom right of the coin features an embossed 40th anniversary logo which stands out prominently.
I am very impressed with the quality of the coin and packaging, and would definitely recommend these. Buying for collectors can be fraught with difficulty, as it is hard to know what they have already bought for themselves, but these would make an ideal gift for any Star Wars fan or coin collector this holiday season, as it is a less obvious collectable, one which perhaps they would not have bought for themselves.
Specifications: –
Metal: 999 Fine Silver
Finish: Proof/Coloured
Weight: 1 Troy oz
Dimensions: 53mm x 36mm
Edge: Milled
Denomination: $2
Country of Issue: Niue
Year of Issue: 2020
Mintage: 1,980
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary 1oz Silver Coin is available now from New Zealand Mint for $85.
Thanks to New Zealand Mint for sending us the coin to review. The opinions expressed in this review are our own.
The Jedi News 2020 Holiday Gift Guide continues tomorrow with one of the many products available this year inspired by The Child from The Mandalorian.
