The most popular bullion coin program from the New Zealand Mint is the Silver Hawksbill, or Taku, coin. Struck on an annual basis since 2010, the Hawksbill coin is a bullion product produced for the island nation of Niue. It has become the most popular coin from the mint, and is gaining notoriety in the global marketplace. Right now, the latest coin in the series is available from JM Bullion as the 2016 1 oz New Zealand Silver $2 Niue Hawksbill arrives in BU condition.

Coin Highlights:

Ships in a protective plastic flip, lots of 20 in tubes, lots of 500 in boxes.

Contains 1 oz of .999 pure silver.

Issued a face value of $2 (Niue).

Bears the image of the Hawksbill turtle.

Available in Brilliant Uncirculated condition.

The Hawksbill turtle, known in the South Pacific as the Taku, is a beautiful sea turtle that is native to the waters around Fiji. Occasionally the animal is spotted in the Cook Straight near the Cook Islands, and routinely migrates the shores of northern New Zealand as well. Named for the sharp beak on its head, the Hawksbill is famous for the bright, brilliant colors that adorn its shell.

The New Zealand Mint introduced this bullion coin in 2010, and produces it to standards similar to those of the American Silver Eagle and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf. Each year, the image on the obverse face of the coin remains the same. In 2016, Sunshine Mint took over production.

A major difference between this coin and other bullion programs is the limited mintage. While several million American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf coins are struck each year, these have tightly restricted mintages.

On the obverse face is the image of a Hawksbill turtle as it swims through the warm waters of the South Pacific. A small sliver of the coins left side has a mirror-like finish with the word Turtle engraved within it, while the majority of the obverse has a frosted finish to differentiate the water from the turtle.

The reverse face bears Ian Rank-Broadleys image of Queen Elizabeth II. His right-profile portrait of Her Majesty was created in 1998, and the design includes engravings of Her Majestys name, the nation of issue, face value, and year of issue.

Please dont hesitate to contact JM Bullion with your questions. You can reach us at 800-276-6508, connect with us online using our live chat, or send us an email. If you are looking for similar products, check out our New Zealand Silver Coins page.