Star Wars coins issued by tiny South Pacific island

On August 16, 2011, in Celebrities & Actors, Politics & Government, by Weird

In a galaxy quite close to home actually – the Polynesian island of Niue – has come up with an unusual way to raise some cash.

Niue will be issuing $2 coins featuring Star Wars characters.

The New Zealand Mint will produce the legal-tender .999 (1 oz.) silver coins, which will be offered in sets of four.

One side will feature the country’s head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. The other side will feature Darth Vader, Yoda or Princess Leia.

The coins will be legal tender on the island state, but will be costly and are intended to make money from their uniqueness rather than be used for day-to-day use.

Each set will cost about $400 and will come in cases complete with sound effects – either Vader breathing or the Millennium Falcon’s “jump to light speed” sound.

Only 7,500 sets will be issued, but cheaper silver-plated versions will be sold individually for around $20.