Silver Ounce 2023 Year of the Rabbit - Bugs Bunny, 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 have a Zodiac-inspired theme.

This coin featuring Bugs Bunny is part of a New Zealand Mint series featuring the Chinese Lunar Calendar and is dedicated to the 2023 Year of the Rabbit (22 January 2023 to 9 February 2024).

The Mint says about it:
For the 2023 Lunar Year of the Rabbit, we knew we had to put the famous Bugs Bunny on a 1oz pure silver coin! Created in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, this piece shows Bugs Bunny in colour wearing traditional Lunar New Year clothing. Behind detailed engravings including Bugs Bunny and Lola Bunny, have been frosted for contrast. A mirror-like finish borders the coin to further enhance the design. On the obverse, you’ll find the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll to confirm the coin as legal tender.

This special piece is encased in an acrylic capsule for protection and arrives in a themed, red case lined with black velvet. Printed on the back is a Certificate of Authenticity and the coin’s specifications. You will also find the unique number of the coin in the limited mintage of 2,023 - a reflection of the Lunar New Year.

The Years of the Rabbit include: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023.