New Zealand Mint to Produce Disney-Themed Coins   17 Apr 2014

17 April 2014

New Zealand Mint to Produce Disney-Themed Coins

In a global first, New Zealand Mint announced a series of gold and silver commemorative coins, featuring some of Disney’s most recognised and cherished characters.

The Auckland-based gold bullion dealer and collectable coin maker will mint the coins for two years in all key global markets.

To launch the Disney collectible coin series in April 2014, the inaugural 1oz 99.9% pure silver and 1/4oz 99.99% pure gold coin will depict a scene from Disney’s iconic Steamboat Willie – the first film to feature Mickey Mouse and a triumph in the history of animation.

The reverse of both coins features a meticulously sculptured representation of Mickey Mouse at the wheel of his handcrafted ship. The inscription “Steamboat Willie 1928” completes the design.

Scheduled to be unveiled throughout the next two years, the future releases will showcase Disney classic characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and Pocahontas.

“To get the opportunity to work with the designs of what are undoubtedly some of the most well-known and well-loved animated characters in history is something all Mints would dream of,” said New Zealand Mint Chief Executive, Simon Harding.

“NZ Mint has produced collectable coins for some big global brands, but this series is particularly significant for us. It’s a fantastic opportunity to operate in a huge global market.”

According to Harding, 97 percent of New Zealand Mint’s collectable coin markets go off shore. “Collectable coins appeal to different audiences all over the world. In Eastern Europe for example, gifting precious coins is a tradition similar to the way we give cards at birthdays.

“Disney characters are known and loved the world over, so to be able to immortalise them on precious metals is something we expect will generate a lot of interest from fans all over the world,” he said.

Issued as legal tender of the South Pacific island nation of Niue, all coins feature the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the year-date and the monetary denomination on the obverse.

Priced at NZ$108.00 and NZ$755.00 respectively, the coins can be purchased on www.nzmint.co.nz

The coins will be struck by Perth Mint on behalf of New Zealand Mint.

About New Zealand Mint:
New Zealand Mint has been minting legal tender commemorative coins, gold bullion and medallions for more than four decades. As New Zealand's only precious metal mint and one of the first world mints to adopt the .9999 standard for gold coin purity, New Zealand Mint prides itself on high quality design and production work. In 2009, New Zealand Mint opened the Bullion Exchange, the first of its kind in New Zealand which offers a comprehensive service for buying and selling gold and silver bullion as well as on-site insured storage. Leading the way with innovative, coloured, silver and gold commemorative coins, New Zealand Mint is known globally for quality and design excellence. New Zealand Mint also produces several ranges of jewellery that cater to many tastes and styles, including the Boh Runga and Trelise Cooper for New Zealand Mint collections.

ENDS

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