The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Is collecting any type of coin a good investment? A: No! The hobby collector—be it of coins, back-scratchers, or Bavarian beer mugs—is occasionally persuaded to purchase by impulse or sentiment. Indulging frequent lapses into irrationality is part of the fun of maintaining a hobby. But the strictly … [Read More...]
Niue “Artificial Intelligence” $2 Silver Collector Coin Hints at an Unknown Future
The Mint of Poland, on behalf of Niue Island, has produced the first coin in a new series, Artificial Intelligence. The 99.9% fine silver coin, named Code of the Future, combines the well-known 1’s and 0’s of binary code with familiar motifs from the greatest science-fiction movies and adds selectively applied, fluorescent coloring to produce an otherworldly effect.
On the reverse of the coin, a female android in eerie, glowing blue contemplates the planet Earth in the palm of her hand—or rather, its armature. The android’s articulated finger bones strongly resemble the denuded digits of the original Terminator, as played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the background a stream of 1’s and 0’s flows into a curving tunnel, as if into a wormhole. Above the android are the lowercase initials “ai,” representing the name of the series.
On the obverse, the 1’s and 0’s stream through the air in a cityscape—or is it a massive factory?—reminiscent of Blade Runner. At the top of massive columns are perched giant bald heads; in the background, tiny spaceships cruise at high altitude. On the ground, a series of strange machines suggest a machine room or factory with a strange, unknown purpose. We are reminded that this is a coin by a small, off-center profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. To her right, in three lines, are the legend, date, and denomination: ELIZABETH II / NIUE 2016 / 2 DOLLARS. The words CODE OF THE FUTURE stream through the air above the portrait’s head, almost hidden within the code itself.
Given the approaching Christmas season, this luminous collector coin would be an ideal gift for a science-fiction enthusiast, gamer, or cosplayer.
Specifications for this limited-mintage coin are as follows:
| Metal | Silver |
| Mintage | 500 |
| Purity/Fineness | 99.90% |
| Precious-Metal Content | 2 troy oz. |
| Denomination | $2 (NZ) |
| Weight | 62.2 g |
| Diameter | 50 mm |
| Year of Issue | 2016 |
| Country | Niue Island, New Zealand |
| Quality | Antique finish |
| Exterior Decoration | High relief; serial number on the coin; glows in the dark |
| Packaging | Wooden box within colorful shipper |
| Certificate of Authenticity | Included; features the serial number on the coin |
The Artificial Intelligence $2 silver coin can be ordered from First Coin Company for $226.90. International shipping is free.
Fond of Niue Island issues? Check out these glimmering offerings at APMEX.
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Great coin! Must be seen in hand to appreciate.
If this was a private mint round with a more reasonable price I might consider purchasing but the portrait of the Queen throws off the wonderful design / artwork.
@Erik H, in a timely coincidence, the E-Sylum this morning referenced the following article, titled “Canada considered ditching Prince Charles from $20 bank note if Queen died.” Canada isn’t Niue, obviously, and the item under discussion is only one note. But as the Queen’s age advances, the issue is surely being considered in some of the former colonies’ mints.
But what really matters is that because Niue has more latitude than the UK does, they can use different effigies, make them smaller, etc. In this case it only takes up a small portion of the design. On all UK, Australian, and Canadian coins, and few others, the entire obverse is devoted to the effigy.
I have seen this coin in hand, and the reverse will blow you away.