I'd expect Tolkien to heartily approve of the coins and exclaim that they would be a solid gold investment for all fans.
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The most expensive, made from one ounce (28.3 grams) of pure gold, costs more than 350 times its face value. It will set Tolkien enthusiasts back NZ$3,695 (£1890) but has a face value of just NZ$10 (£5). The cheapest is available for almost 30 times its face value - a NZ$1 (£0.50) coin retailing for NZ$29.90 (£15). The coins go on sale from November 1 and New Zealand Post said it expected strong international interest in the build up to the premiere of the first of the three Hobbit movies in Wellington on November 28.So what does Gandalf himself think about this new career development? Here's Sir Ian McKellan's typically delightful response to New Zealand's TVNZ:
"To put Gandalf on these splendiferous coins is a wizard idea," McKellen said from London.No word yet on what the grave-spinning corpse of J.R.R. Tolkien makes of all of this. Still, a Bilbo coin. Neato!He said he is also impressed by the specially designed stamps saying: "The pointy hat, the beard and the illuminated staff - the $1.90 NZ stamp is pure Gandalf."
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13 comments
You know, if they just made authentic-styled Gondoran coinage and released THOSE, you could probably stamp them out of copper and pig-iron and people would still pay the same.
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I'd love to see these in circulation just to see the face on people when they are handed them at the till.
Unless that coin can be reforged back into the one ring I don't think I'll be shelling out any cash for this.
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So it's an ounce of gold more or less
Gold is trading for around $1763 an ounce
New Zealand dollars are trading for USAlund dollars 1 : 0.817444
So unless my math is wrong - and it usually is - that means you're paying $1,538.28 over the metal value.
I think the stamp is a much better value.
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@Gallen_Dugall Same thought went through my mind. No way that image is worth over $1500 more than the gold.
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@Lithroe The silver with gold plate are cheaper but an even worse value at more than triple their metal value. The stamp sets are nice, but the actual value of a stamp (that you can't use) hovers around $0.08 per. The value of collectible stuff is hard to pin down. If I knew someone who was into stamps and Tolkien AND I wanted to get them something nice as a gift, then I could see it - but not the coins.
