Silver Ounce 2022 Mandalorian - Beskar Bar, 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 coins under the authority of Niue. Most of these are commemorative and collector issues 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). Those issued at prices much higher than their bullion value are separately listed in the Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) silver ounce section of the site.

Unlike them, this coin is targeted at bullion investors and was initially released at a price close to the value of its precious metal content.

This bullion silver bar continues the New Zealand Mint's Star Wars - Mandalorian theme, and represents a Beskar Bar (or a Beskar Ingot). It is the second issue in this format, the first being in 2021.

The Mint says about it:
"This officially licensed Star Wars - Mandalorian Antique finish coin was struck from one ounce of 99.9% silver and replicates an ingot of Mandalorian iron. The coin features the characteristic wave shape that Beskar ingots are stamped with, and also includes the logo of the Galactic Empire. The obverse features the Niue Coat of Arms as well as the denomination, year of issue, weight, fineness and official copyright.

Beskar is an extremely strong alloy that was used in Mandalorian armour and was characterised by a high tolerance to damage of various kinds. Thus, the metal was durable enough to withstand a direct blaster shot and repel lightsaber strikes. It is not without reason that Beskar is one of the most valuable metals in the entire galaxy. The Mandalorians have an almost religious relationship with Beskar and are convinced that it belongs exclusively in the hands of their people."