Some of the most popular coin programs in the world feature the same designs each year. While products such as the American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, and Chinese Silver Panda are excellent investment options, there are other coin programs available that offer a little something different with their design.
Of particular interest at this time of year are the silver coins and rounds available from various mints that can help put you in the Christmas spirit during the holiday season. These coins range in design and style from silver coins and colorized proofs to pure silver rounds. What they all have in common are designs centered around holiday celebrations, winter, and the Christmas season. Explore our collection of available coins below.
Niue Silver Coins
The tiny island nation of Niue, situated in the South Pacific Ocean, is the perfect example of a small nation with big ambitions on the precious metals stage. Niue Silver Coins are available from a vast array of coin programs, most of which are struck by the New Zealand Mint out of Auckland, New Zealand. Included in its modern portfolio are two different coins marking the holiday season.
There are two different coins from the Approach of the Wise Men release. In the Christian bible’s Gospel of Matthew, we hear the story of a Magi from the East who come to praise the “King of the Jews,” born Jesus Christ in the town of Bethlehem. The story surrounding these wise men is much more complex than Matthew’s gospel lays out.
At the time, there were no direct accounts that just three wise men arrived. In fact, it was the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that spurred the legend of just three men arriving to kneel before the baby Jesus. In Eastern Christianity, the wise men are said to number 12 in total, not three. Features of the 2016 1 oz Niue Silver Approach of the Wise Men 5-sided Star Coin’s design include:
- On the reverse side of each 2016 1 oz Niue Silver Approach of the Wise Men Five-Pointed Star Coins you’ll find the image of three travelers on camelback as they ride across the open desert toward the town of Bethlehem. These men are guided by the stars in the sky above, and there is a five-pointed star engraved in the upper-central region of the design field.
- The obverse side of these Approach of the Wise Men coins includes the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II created in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley. Along with engravings of the face value, year of issue, and nation of issue on the coins, you’ll also find the five-pointed star on this side.
A similarly designed coin is the 2016 1 oz Niue Silver Approach of the Wise Men 6-pointed Star coin. The coin’s obverse and reverse design fields are exactly the same, with the exception of the star. Rather than a standard five-pointed star, this coin includes a six-pointed star similar to the Star of David.
Canadian Silver Coins
The Royal Canadian Mint also has silver coins that represent the holiday spirit and the joys of the winter season. Although not specifically Christmas-titled coins, each one bears features that simultaneously represent winter and the symbols of the holiday, including a tree with a star atop it and a small woodland elf crafting a bird box.
Each of the 2016 1/4 oz Canadian Silver Woodland Elf Coins are BU coins with a unique specimen finish. These specimen finish coins have a brilliant design relief struck against a matte background to achieve maximum visual impact, and this is achieved through a double striking on numismatic presses.
On the reverse of each Woodland Elf coin you’ll find the colorized image of a Woodland Elf hard at work on a small bird house. The design comes from Canadian artist Jesse Koreck and sees the elf set among snow-covered trees in the forest, which should be enough to put anyone in a festive holiday mood.
The obverse of the coins features the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Created by Susanna Blunt in 2003, Her majesty’s effigy is surrounded by engravings of her name, the nation of issue, and the phrase “D.G. Regina.”
In a newer release from the Royal Canadian Mint, a true masterpiece is created on the reverse side of the coin. Canada’s winters can be harsh, but they also deliver their own idea of beauty with each snowflake that falls on the tundra. This coin paints a perfect picture of the beauty of a Canadian winter, with soft colors and intricate engravings that recreate the landscape of winter. The highlight of the design is a Venetian glass tree in the foreground.
On the reverse of each 2017 1 oz Proof Canadian Silver Snow-covered Trees coin you’ll find a Murano glass tree as the highlight of the design field. It was handcrafted by master glass makers Giorgio and Bernardino Vio of Murano, Italy for use on this coin. Additional features of the design include green pine trees kissed with snow, and a horse-drawn sleigh ready to take riders through the winter landscape.
The obverse of the Silver Snow-covered Trees coin includes the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Common on Canadian currency for decades, this effigy is a 2003 creation of Canadian artist Susanna Blunt.
Australian Silver Coins
The Perth Mint is a trusted name in the precious metals industry, and also an innovator when it comes to striking bullion and proof coinage. Among the many innovative techniques at Perth Mint is the use of shaped blanks that do not follow the traditional circular patterns. For example, each year around Christmas the Perth Mint releases a star-shaped coin with the words “Merry Christmas” engraved on the coins and colorized images of the holiday season. JM Bullion currently offers the following coins:
- 2015 1 oz Australian Silver Christmas Coin: The reverse side of each 2015 1 oz Australian Silver Christmas Coin features the latest design in the Christmas series. Engravings on this side including the unique message for 2015 and the Perth Mint’s “P” mint mark. In addition to its unique message, the 2015 coin is the first to feature a new shape. Rather than the traditional round coin, these are struck on star-shaped blanks. On the obverse is the familiar image of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley in 1998, Her Majesty’s image is surrounded by engravings that include “Elizabeth II,” “Australia,” the coin’s face value, year of issue, weight, purity, and metal content.
- 2016 1 oz Proof Australian Silver Christmas Coin: On the reverse side of each Australian Silver Christmas Coin is the colorized design of slowly burning candle wrapped in a red bow tie, with a wreath of holly surrounding the candle. The soft red and orange tones of the flame seem to warm the design itself, while Christmas emanates brilliantly from this coin. The obverse of the 2016 1 oz Proof Australian Silver Christmas Coin features the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty’s effigy on this coin is from Ian Rank-Broadley, and was created in 1998 as the fourth-generation image of the Queen since she ascended to the throne in 1952.
Other Coins and Rounds
Additionally, JM Bullion currently has in stock two different products that are in their first year of availability. One is a round from Elemetal Mint and the other is a silver coin issued for the Republic of Kiribati. Details below:
- 2016 1 oz Elemetal Abominable Snowman Christmas Silver Round
- On the reverse side of the 2016 1 oz Elemetal Abominable Snowman Christmas Silver Round is the image of the legendary creature using tools to sketch the words “Merry Christmas” in the freshly fallen snow. A crude snowman is featured in the background, with just two portions of his body complete while the head is yet to find its resting place.
- The obverse of the Abominable Snowman Christmas Silver Rounds includes the image of the beast as he sits in the snow with a bag of presents in front of him and cluster of objects clutched in his two large hands. In the night’s sky behind the Abominable Snowman on both sides are stars with a pine tree line in the distance.
- 2016 20 Gram Proof Christmas Island Rudolph Christmas Silver Coin:
- On the reverse side of the Rudolph Christmas Silver Coin you’ll find the image of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, encircled by mistletoe and Christmas bells. A ruby is inserted as the nose of Rudolph on this beautiful design, with gold coloring added to Rudolph and the Christmas bells in the design.
- The obverse of the 2016 20 Gram Proof Christmas Island Rudolph Christmas Silver Coin features the coat of arms for Kiribati, the issuing nation of this coin. The Republic of Kiribati is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean that is comprised of 33 atolls and reef islands, with one raised coral island; Banaba.
If you’re interested in these products to spice up your holidays or lift you from your winter doldrums, JM Bullion has all of these products in stock. Each one would make a great addition to any collection. Feel free to reach out to JM Bullion at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or send us emails with your questions.
