Doctor Who's 50th anniversary is to be celebrated with the issue of a commemorative coin in New Zealand.

The series hits its half century this year and it has long been popular in the country, which was the first territory outside the UK to screen the Time Lord's adventures.

The special two dollar denomination coin will be legal tender and features an engraved image of the Tardis.

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It will also come in a Tardis-shaped container and will launch at the World Money Fair in Berlin next week.

There will also be collectible coins available later in the year featuring the face of 11 different actors who have portrayed The Doctor, from William Hartnell to Matt Smith.

Chief executive of the New Zealand Mint, Simon Harding, said: "I grew up watching Doctor Who as a child in New Zealand which, coincidentally, was the first country outside the UK to screen the show.

"It's a great honour to now be asked to produce these coins to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Fans are going to really like what we've come up with."

Rachael Hammond, the senior licensing executive for consumer products at BBC Worldwide, said: "We are thrilled to be partnering with New Zealand Mint on this global deal. It is an historic year for the Doctor Who brand, and we are pleased to be able to bring this unique product to Doctor Who fans and coin collectors alike."

PA