One Dollar Silver 2016 Year of the Monkey (with Elephant), 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 a Mint of Poland series featuring the Chinese Lunar Calendar and is dedicated to the 2016 Year of the Monkey.

The Mint says about it:
"According to the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Monkey begins on February 8, 2016 and ends on January 27, 2017. Monkey, the ninth animal of the Chinese zodiac, is a sign of a talented inventor and a skilful leader. Therefore, it is not surprising that children born in the year of the Monkey are playful and quick-witted. Good-natured and flexible, they are also outgoing and proactive, always eager to make new friends.

Our funny children's coin decorated with colourful pictures will be a perfect gift for all young collectors born in the Year of the Monkey! This humorous souvenir depicts a cartoon-like little monkey riding on an elephant pulling a cart filled with gold and jewels. Oriental decorative surface in the background of the reverse harmonizes perfectly with multi-coloured digital printing in its foreground.

A specially designed presentation case adorned with the Chinese character 猴 creates with this lovely coin a vivid and coherent whole. 猴 is associated with affluence and good reputation".

Finish: proof, coloured.
Packaging: boxed, with Certificate of Authenticity (in Russian?).
Date of issue: September 2015.