Very rare silver 3oz coin, production error

Discussion in 'Silver' started by Manu, Dec 16, 2016.

  1. Manu

    Manu New Member

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    I wanted to see if I can get people talking about a coin I managed to get. It looks just like a 2015 Niue 5oz Turtle coin from the NZ mint, EXACT same design (ie it says 5oz .999 pure silver), same diameter but it is skinny and only weighs 3oz.

    I have the word from an ex employee from the mint that only 4 of these made the escape, all the rest were recalled as soon as the mistake was discovered and melted down. That would mean only 4 of these in the whole world. I'm sure if it was Aussie or North American it would be worth a fortune. Right?

    How could such a bulls-up happen? Who ever heard of a 3oz silver coin anyway?

    Does anyone out there collect stuff like this.
     
  2. Jislizard

    Jislizard Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    That's a great find!

    You probably can't post any images for the first week or so but when you can, would love to see it.
     
  3. Manu

    Manu New Member

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  4. Ag

    Ag Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Sounds cool! do you want to swap with my copper core PAMP gold bar which weights 21.6g but says 1 troy ounce on the face? think its also a mint mistake
     
  5. spannermonkey

    spannermonkey Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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  6. Manu

    Manu New Member

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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Photos as I described, a normal turtle next to my very special and expensive turtle they look the same.
    Side by side you will notice the normal turtle fills out the capsule while the other doesn't because it's skinny.
    Another photo I tried to take half side on.

    And um no copper core just solid silver so no deal on the swap sorry, The mint went to great lengths to get these back and are rather unhappy about me having one.
     
  7. greedy Kobold

    greedy Kobold Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    I confirm the coins and the ID of this trader.
    Fellow collector in Christchurch.

    Had been trading with him for a couple of years.
    Silverman99 was also dealing with him.

    Manu, ...so you decided to part with that special coin?
    Do not forget to offer it to local guys first !
    :)
     
  8. Court Jester

    Court Jester Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    i say its a cheap chinese knock off

    there are slight variations in the patterns on the turtle and fonts used
     
  9. Manu

    Manu New Member

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    I most likely won't be parting with it for the foreseeable future.

    I very much doubt the New Zealand mint sold me a cheap knock off from China.
     
  10. Silverman99

    Silverman99 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Hi Manu

    Welcome to the site and what an interesting find, what's your location please as I'm assuming you are here in NZ ?
     
  11. SpacePete

    SpacePete Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Very interesting! Why were the NZ Mint using 3oz blanks? Was it an experiment?
     
  12. Ipv6Ready

    Ipv6Ready Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Wow so is it confirmed that NZ mint had 3oz blanks of same diameter?

    As you state imagine if it was an Perth Mint lunar or a libertad error, or other highly sort out coin it would be much much more highly valued.
     
  13. greedy Kobold

    greedy Kobold Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Saw the coin with my own eyes.
    My understanding,
    it is not NZ Mint in a way...

    NZ Mint is a seller, not manufacturer/mint, they commission to
    have their coins to be minted by some other mints.

    The needed piece of the puzzle is to find out who was producing 2015 Turtle.
    (My guess, one of US mints,...further guess - the one that had recently released/started
    a serie of 3oz Coins)

    I recall the seller had some documents for the thing.

    Could a piece for Taku/Turtle-lover?
     
  14. greedy Kobold

    greedy Kobold Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    You know the guy, check your email:lol:
     
  15. SpacePete

    SpacePete Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    The NZ Mint is most definitely a manufacturer. They even show the turtle in their corporate video:

    [​IMG]

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhNIW14Lugk[/youtube]


    There's a 2oz Piedfort version that they say is available to wholesale customers through A-Mark Precious Metals Inc.

    Webpage: https://www.nzmint.com/bullion/bull...bullion-coin--niue-silver-turtle-2oz?nav=5717

    PDF with details: https://www.amark.com/Content/Docs/amark_flyer_turtle_silver_coin.pdf

    But there is some other interesting descriptions on the web at bullion sellers. e.g.

    SunshineMint show the Turtle on their custom minting page: http://www.sunshinemint.com/CustomMinting.aspx

    They also manufacture blanks. I wonder...
     
  16. Silverman99

    Silverman99 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Got it thanks , I may just have to take plane ride and come down and see it with my own eyes !
     
  17. Manu

    Manu New Member

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    Yes I forgot about mentioning it was the Sunshine Mint. I still don't know where the 3oz blanks came from?
     
  18. Court Jester

    Court Jester Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    still does not explain why the difference in the pattern on the turtle shell and difference in font used between your coin and the original.
     
  19. Manu

    Manu New Member

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    They look the same to me but I'm no expert on the turtles, I'll get someone I know to check this out for me. Those photos I took are not that great also for really comparing details.
     
  20. SpacePete

    SpacePete Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Those photos are like the invariably shaky UFO videos used as evidence for wild claims (with one exception). Can you post better photos?
     

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