Very rare silver 3oz coin, production error

M

Manu

New Member
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
29502_img_0660.jpg

29502_img_0659.jpg

29502_img_0661.jpg


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.
 
spannermonkey said:
Manu said:
I could post a photo comparing the 3oz error coin side on with the 5oz original.

For now I'll put a link, it looks just like this but it's 2015

https://www.nzmint.com/bullion/bull...bullion-coin--niue-silver-turtle-5oz?nav=5737
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:
Until you produce a side by side photo
Your blowing hot air
Click to expand...

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 !
:)
 
i say its a cheap chinese knock off

there are slight variations in the patterns on the turtle and fonts used
 
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.
 
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 ?
 
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.
 
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?
 
Silverman99 said:
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 ?
Click to expand...

You know the guy, check your email:lol:
 
greedy Kobold said:
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.
Click to expand...
The NZ Mint is most definitely a manufacturer. They even show the turtle in their corporate video:

12844_screen_shot_2016-12-16_at_201232.jpg


[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.

Niue Hawksbill coins originated from the New Zealand Mint in 2010 as the Fiji Taku silver coin. The coins were produced for the nation of Fiji until 2013, when political discord between the two nations led the Sunshine Mint to reissue the coins for the self-governing territory of Niue.
Click to expand...

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

They also manufacture blanks. I wonder...
 
greedy Kobold said:
Silverman99 said:
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 ?
Click to expand...

You know the guy, check your email:lol:
Click to expand...

Got it thanks , I may just have to take plane ride and come down and see it with my own eyes !
 
Yes I forgot about mentioning it was the Sunshine Mint. I still don't know where the 3oz blanks came from?
 
Manu said:
Yes I forgot about mentioning it was the Sunshine Mint. I still don't know where the 3oz blanks came from?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
Manu said:
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.
Click to expand...

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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