One Dollar Silver 2015 European Bee-eater, Coin from Niue - detailed information

Niue, a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand, uses two official legal tender currencies. The New Zealand Dollar is the circulation currency for daily transactions, while the government also authorises legal tender coins in the Niue Dollar currency for collector's purposes.

A number of mints issue a large variety of commemorative, bullion and collector coins under the authority of Niue. These coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to Niue itself. Many of them are made using "smartminting" techniques and have features not generally found in circulation coins - e.g. high relief, full colour printing and/or different forms, including fully three dimensional (3D).

Some coins are marketed in standard bullion sizes, like half ounce silver, one ounce silver etc, and some of those are also denominated as $1, for which see respective lists; this particular coin denominated as One Niue Dollar is not in a standard ounce-based size.

This coin is part of the Fascinating World of Birds series and features the European Bee-eater.

The Mint says about it:
"This beautiful series was created to take us to the captivating world of birds, enchanting us with the riot of colours and astonishing variety of species. Our third coin from this vivid collection is dedicated to the European bee-eater, a flamboyantly-feathered living thing standing out with its amazing beauty. Great gift for all people interested in ornithology.

European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) most willingly live in open sunlit areas of meadows, fields and pastures with high land form diversity. They nest in dens located in sandy and earthen scarps. The representatives of this species are excellent hunters, not afraid of being stung by a bee or a wasp. European bee-eaters breed in Europe, mostly in the warmer southern parts. Despite not being currently considered threatened with extinction, the species is protected by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats."