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starwars.com > Collecting > News > Other Collectibles > News

Mint Condition: New Collector Coins
May 19, 2005

[ Click Here to View Images ] Ever since Kenner released a series of 80 coins to accompany their 1985 Power of the Force, Droids and Ewoks line of toys, other manufacturers have been tossing coins into the pool. Collectors of those early aluminum disks (not precious, but rare) are driven by the series' relatively large size and the challenge of completing a full set. Two years after the Kenner series, a limited set of 24 coins cast in silver and gold was offered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Star Wars, with the one-ounce gold examples fetching princely sums these days. For modern collectors, coins are once again making a comeback, this time from both domestic and international licensees.

For the first time ever, Star Wars characters are being struck on legal currency. Suntex, a Star Wars licensee in Asia, has produced a set of commemorative coins underwritten by the Central Bank of the Cook Islands, bearing Star Wars characters on one side and Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

Coins in this series include:

  • Classic Villains: $1 copper/nickel (1.5" diameter)
  • Classic Heroes: $10 solid gold (.5" mm diameter)
  • Prequel Villains: $5 solid silver (1.5" diameter)
  • Prequel Heroes: $5 solid silver (1.5" diameter)

(Note: The dollar denominations represent the Cook Islands currency value of the coins, not the actual purchase price, which will reflect their limited status and precious metal content)

Star Wars coin collectors who like to challenge themselves with regional exclusives should enjoy a new series offered by the California Lottery, which are available for $1 with purchase of a $2 Scratchers ticket at participating retailers. Six aluminum coins comprise this set, and will be released in pairs throughout the month of May:

Another regional exclusive, Disney World's Star Wars Weekends recently made several coins available to park guests attending the annual summer event. The 2005 coin was offered in four finishes, along with a special gold commemorative set which included re-strikes of coins from previous Star Wars Weekends (distinguished from earlier versions by a 2005 logo on the obverse).

Coins include:

  • 2000 gold plate (the first time a 2000 SWW coin has ever been offered)
  • 2001 gold plate
  • 2002 gold plate
  • 2003 gold plate
  • 2004 gold plate
  • 2005 gold plate
  • 2005 silver plate
  • 2005 bronze oxide
  • 2005 brushed nickel

Cards Inc. of the UK is offering a series of 24 silver-colored Revenge of the Sith coins, called Medalionz, along with a second set of 24 gold-colored chase coins. The series will be sold blind-packaged in pairs, with one gold chase coin inserted in every six packages. A third solid copper set will also be available, but sold as a limited edition set in a custom binder.

Each coin from the following list will be available in silver-color, gold-color, and solid copper, totaling 72:

Finally, from Germany's Helevetisches Münzkontor, a series of 24 silver-plated coins featuring Star Wars characters from the entire saga are being offered to collectors, depicting the Star Wars logo on one side and a color character image on the other.

Coins to look for in this series include:

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