Silver Two Ounces 2022 Archey's Frog, Coin from New Zealand - detailed information

New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar as its circulation currency for daily transactions. The country also issues a number of commemorative and collector coins, including in the large two ounces of silver format (abbreviated as 2 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Authorised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the official issuer of these coins is NZ Post - which also issues the country's postal stamps. Manufacturing of the coins is commissioned to various foreign mints.

The coins are "Non-Circulating Legal Tender" (NCLT) and not bullion because they are issued at prices much higher than their intrinsic value and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic or sentimental value, and not at bullion investors.

New Zealand has the tradition of issuing one large commemorative per year which is considered "the" annual coin, and the coin for 2022 features the extinct Archey’s frog.

NZ Post says about it:
New Zealand is home to many unique threatened species, including one of the world’s most endangered amphibians. A living fossil that has barely changed in 150 million years, Archey’s frog is New Zealand’s smallest native frog. One of four remaining native species of frog, it is the number one Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered amphibian species in the world. This special creature is being celebrated with the 2022 New Zealand Annual Coin.

NZ Post has dedicated the 2022 New Zealand Annual Coin to the memory of Emeritus Professor Phil Bishop, a giant in the field of amphibian conservation who cast his expert eye over our artist’s impression of Archey’s frog.

The hero of this 2oz coin is a detailed colour illustration of Archey’s frog. At a maximum of 37mm in length, the small size of Archey’s frog is reflected to scale in its appearance on this 50mm coin. The frog’s hues of green, red and brown are highlighted with the vibrant and realistic rendering of the frog. The coin is completed with an antique finish, and a detailed engraved background that gives greater relief to the frog.