In the United States, a significant number of private mints produce bullion which is not legal tender and is targeted at investors and not at coin collectors - such as this one.
This coloured silver round is part of a series dedicated to the Sonic the Hedgehog electronic game, and features game character Knuckles the Echidna.
SEGA released the first game featuring the titular character, Sonic the Hedgehog, on June 23, 1991, introducing us to the speedy blue hedgehog who loves adventure and freedom, and never backs down from a challenge. Dr. Eggman debuted alongside Sonic in 1991 as the main antagonist, who dreams of dominating the world and oftentimes traps helpless animals in his robots to use for his nefarious purposes.
As the series continued, we were introduced to an even bigger cast of characters including Miles “Tails” Prower, a two-tailed fox, and Knuckles the Echidna. Tails, Sonic’s best friend first introduced in 1992 in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, can spin his two tails quickly enough to fly. A mechanical genius, he looks up to Sonic and oftentimes aids in his journeys. Knuckles the Echidna appeared in the following game, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. As the guardian of the Master Emerald, he will stop at nothing to protect the Emerald and his home of Angel Island from anyone who wishes to abuse its powers.
In 1998, Sonic the Hedgehog fully made the transition into 3D gameplay with the release of Sonic Adventure on the SEGA Dreamcast. This evolution brought in a whole new era of action, storytelling, and these new designs for Sonic and his friends!
In 2022, SEGA released the Sonic Origins collection, which includes remasters of Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD; APMEX teamed up with SEGA to release a collection of officially licensed numismatic products - including legal tender coins, and silver "rounds" like this one. |