Silver Ounce 2021 Chibi - Gandalf the Grey, 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 in standard bullion sizes - typically, one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Many of these feature movie characters. Some are also in innovative shapes, such as "Chibi".

Chibi (ちび or チビ) is a Japanese slang word describing something short (a thing, an animal or a person). The term is widely used to describe a specific style of caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way: small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads. Coins of this type look like cartoon characters and have their corresponding shape; they are also very thick for their size.

This coin features Gandalf the Grey, a major character from the Lord of the Rings saga.

The Mint says about it:
"Naturally, wise wizard, Gandalf the Grey, features in our The Lord of the Rings Chibi Coin Series. Officially licensed, this series reflects beloved characters from the movie in a Chibi art style. Gandalf is shown in his grey cloak and drooping hat and carrying his magical staff.

The coin is made from 1oz of pure silver which has been shaped and coloured. Despite its unusual form, the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse confirms that it is still a legal tender coin.

The coin is protected by a custom-made case moulded to its shape. It sits inside a themed box which includes a large window to allow the coin to be displayed without removing it from the packaging. A holographic sticker on the box confirms the coin’s unique number in the limited 2,000 mintage. A Certificate of Authenticity is printed alongside."