By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
In anticipation for the next Hobbit movie, New Zealand Post has released a line of coins and stamps that only Smaug can afford. The former item is legal tender, and they are quite the premium item. But the cost is definitely not for the faint of heart. A single 1 oz. gold proof coin starts at $3395 and a complete set will set wallets back by a hefty $10K by the time shipping to other points of the Earth are factored in. At least there are imitation products, like the $29.90 (face value of $1) imitation gold product (bronze) that features Bard the Bowman of Lake-town.
At least the stamps are better valued. They start at a rounded off price of $12 as first day covers or single sheets. The items offered for the Desolation of Smaug is wide and varied whereas remaining stock for the previous film, An Unexpected Journey, will slowly become limited. Both movies have collectable coins and stamps, and the question of whether or not a mega-pack will arrive when the third movie releases will depend on what’s left over, or if more will be printed or minted.
That may be worth the wait for Hobbit collectors anyways. Although to own stamps made to commemorate films is great, but when a series is still ongoing, not all dragon younglings will be flocking to own every item out there.
