Chewbacca Roars onto Classic Star Wars Coin Collection

The New Zealand Mint is continuing their Classic Star Wars collection with the addition of the Chewbacca gold and silver coins in 2017.

Chewbacca is the eighth character to feature on the New Zealand Mint’s Classic Star Wars collection to date. The collection has also depicted Darth Vader, Han Solo, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda.

Chewbacca is a legendary Wookiee warrior as well as Han Solo’s co-pilot aboard the Millennium Falcon. As a member of the resistance he has fought in the Clone Wars, the Galactic Civil War, as well as the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance. Known for his short temper and accuracy with a bowcaster, Chewie also has a big heart, and is unwavering in his loyalty to his friends.

The reverse of the Chewbacca coin depicts the character in a scene from Star Wars : Episode IV – A New Hope(1977), wielding his bowcaster in a battle stance. The only text that appears on the reverse side of the coin can be found along the rim to the left of the coin’s design. It reads : “1 oz 999 Fine Silver” and “© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.”

The obverse features the standard new Zealand Mint design found on the rest of the series as well. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the inscriptions : “ELIZABETH II”, “NIUE”, “TWO DOLLARS” and “2017”.

Shipped in a black Star Wars branded display box, along with the accompanying numbered certificate of authenticity. The 1oz silver coin is struck from .999 Fineness silver to a 40mm(1.5748 inch) proof quality coin. The coin has a limited mintage of 10 000 coins and the New Zealand Mint is listing the silver coin for US$85.00 each.

Also available are two gold coins, the first of which is a 1/4oz gold piece that measures 22mm(0.866 inch) in diameter, with a limited mintage of 1000 coins. Denominated as a legal tender $25 coin under the authority of the island nation of Niue, the new Zealand Mint is selling this gold coin for US$600.00 each.

The two gold coins are each shipped in a similar case to the silver coin, except here the matte black finish is replaced with a softer wood appearance. The second gold coin here is then the 1oz Chewbacca coin. Struck from pure .9999 Fineness gold, with a face value of $250, this collector’s coin is being released by the New Zealand Mint at a price of US$2500.00 each. The mintage for the 1oz coin is limited to only 500 coins, worldwide.