Similar in appearance and concept to their earlier Journeys of Discovery issues, the New Zealand Mint’s latest antiqued coin series is called Legendary Tales. Moving from real history to story-telling and myth, the series has also dropped in weight from 2ozs to 1oz, so it’s eminently more affordable as well. The first issue in the series recounts the famous tale from Arabian Nights, of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves – a classic story that has been adapted to film and television multiple times since the invention of the moving picture.

The coin does ape the Journeys of Discovery series as far as the base style goes and we’d be unsurprised to learn that the designer was the same. Packed with detail, although without a ‘hard-edged’ look, these depict a scene very well – almost woodcut-like. A patterned border surrounds the view, which, apart from a tiny composition inscription, is all else that sits on the reverse face.

It’s the obverse that will raise much interest with this one. Niue, as a Commonwealth country in close association with New Zealand, has always displayed the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on its modern commemorative coins. You can see that with releases from not just the NZ Mint, but also from others issuing for the country like the Mint of Poland, the Czech Mint and International Coin House, for example. For what we believe is the first time, Queen Elizabeth II is not present on a Niue issue, instead replaced by a coat-of-arms similar to those used by Tokelau and many African nations. Now we don’t understand this as being a wholesale move over, rather an optional one, but it does make a neat change from the ubiquitous effigy, although that effigy does give a weight to a coin that marks it as part of something larger. We’re all for change here however, and it’s good to see a choice. We’re sure many will be glad of the change.

Packaging is NZ Mint quality, which means very good and stylish, without being over the top. A landscape-format version of the book-style box this mint has used on multiple issues of late is both welcome and quite appropriate for the theme. Available today with a RRP of $85.00 USD, it has a mintage of 3,000.