Chibi

What Are Chibi Coins?

Chibi coins are 1 Troy ounce 99.9% silver popular culture coins. “Chibi” is Japanese slang to describe something that is “short” or “diminutive”, usually referring to a person. In this instance, however, the term is used to describe a specific style of caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, that being: small, chubby, and with stubby limbs and an oversized head, but instead of on paper, these characters are on a silver coin.

On the obverse of each Chibi Coin, there’s an effigy of Ian Rank Broadley’s Queen Elizabeth II, and with the surrounding inscriptions marking each coin as a Niue issue, each Chibi Coin is confirmed as legal tender. On the reverse side of each coin, collectors will find animated caricatures from various pop culture properties and genres. Innovated and imagined by the New Zealand Mint, the first of these was the Batman Chibi Coin, the first in their DC Comics Chibi Collection, but this was only the beginning. Current Chibi coin series also include Harry Potter, Star Wars, and as of February 2021, Lord of the Rings, with more to come. With the growing popularity of pop culture and anime, these coins are ideal for both coin collectors and genre fans.

Where Are Chibi Coins Minted?

What Pop Culture Chibi Coins Are Available?

Though often seen as the new kid in the world of coin collecting, Chibi coins already offer a great selection, representing popular franchises such as Batman, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and more. With more being added throughout each year, the offerings will only continue to grow.

DC Comics

The first coin in the cool, new Chibi Coin Collection features the DC Comics superhero, Batman, making DC characters the first of many pop culture coins. Officially licensed, these 1oz pure silver coins have been shaped and colored to each individual character. 

Harry Potter

Featuring teenage witches and Wizards from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, characters such as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Snape are fully colorized and rendered in the Chibi art style.

Fantastic Beasts

Officially licensed by Warner Brothers, the first coin in the New Zealand Mint’s Fantastic Beasts is Newt Scamander, a somewhat shy and awkward Magizoologist, who seems to know just about everything there is to know about the magical beasts that populate the Wizarding World. An absolutely adorable pop culture coin, it’s sure to make an incredible addition to any fan of Harry Potter or anime art.

Star Wars

Authorized by Lucasfilm Ltd, these Star Wars Chibi pop culture coins take you to that famous galaxy far, far away, depicting heroes from the rebel alliance or the Sith Lord Darth Vadar, these amazing Star Wars™ collectibles are kept safe inside a specially designed case, molded to each coin’s shape.

Lord of the Rings

From the Shire and Middle Earth, the Lord of the Rings Chibi Coin Collection series characters are ready to tackle wizards, orcs, spiders, and all sorts of unimaginable dangers as they attempt to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. With the added colorization, this adorable coin is sure to make an incredible addition to any fan of the Lord of the Rings or anime art.

Mickey & Friends

As one of the most iconic animated characters, the New Zealand Mint did not forget the iconic Mickey Mouse. Expanding their collection, the Mickey & Friends Chibi Coin Collection has Mickey, Minnie, and Daisy Duck and there is no reason to think the collection will stop there.

Chibi Coins Coming Soon

With a silhouette and silhouette only of which Chibi Coins are coming soon, there is no way of knowing exactly which coins the New Zealand Mint has in the works. However, with only a handful of coins from properties such as Halo, The Mandalorian, Fantastic Beasts, Lord of the Rings, Disney, and Wonder Woman 1984, it’s a safe bet that more coins will be added to these existing collections. However, this is pure speculation.