Classic Disney animation lovers will want to check out a new series of gold and silver coins sold by the Perth Mint of Australia. The program’s inaugural releases, the 2014 Disney – Steamboat Willie 1/4oz Gold Proof Coin and the 2014 Disney – Steamboat Willie 1oz Silver Proof Coin, honor one of the world’s most recognizable cartoon characters, Mickey Mouse.
What could be more appropriate for the launch of a new Disney coin series than an image of Mickey Mouse. Even more fitting, the likeness of the character is taken from the animated feature Steamboat Willie which served as the first appearance of Mickey back in 1928.
"Through the decades since its release, Steamboat Willie has received widespread acclaim for introducing one of the world’s most popular cartoon characters, and for its innovation," describes the Perth Mint on its website.
"The film is notable for being the first cartoon with synchronized sound and the first to feature a post-produced soundtrack. The film also featured Walt Disney himself as Mickey."
In 1998, Steamboat Willie was chosen for preservation by the United States National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
The two coins depicting Mickey Mouse on Steamboat Willie showcase the same basic reverse image of the beloved Disney character at the helm of his ship. The inscriptions of STEAMBOAT WILLIE and 1928 complete the design.
Each coin is struck by the Perth Mint on behalf of the New Zealand Mint and are officially licensed products and legal tender of the South Pacific island nation of Niue. The face value of the gold coin is NIUE $25 and the silver has a value of NIUE $2.
As legal tender of Niue, Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II graces the obverse of the two releases. Inscriptions surrounding the portrait include ELIZABETH II, NIUE, 2014 and their legal tender values.
The two coins are presented in classic wooden display cases. Each arrives in a colored, vintage-style shipper which features an image of Mickey Mouse.
Disney – Steamboat Willie Gold and Silver Coin Specifications
| 1/4 oz Gold Coin | 1 oz Silver Coin | |
| Gold Content (Troy oz) | 0.25 | 1 |
| Monetary Denomination (NIUE) | $25 | $2 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.99 | 99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 7.777 | 31.35 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 20.60 | 40.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 2.00 | 4.00 |
| Maximum Mintage | 1,000 | 10,000 |
As shown in the chart above, mintages are limited. No more than 1,000 of the Steamboat Willie gold coins will be issued with 10,000 set as the maximum mintage for the Steamboat Willie silver coins.
Pricing is subject to change but is now listed as AUS $704.55 (US $657.46) for the gold coin and AUS $102.27 (US $95.43) for the silver coin.
Orders may be placed from The Perth Mint website at http://www.perthmint.com.au or you may use the affiliate link to be taken directly to the Perth’s Disney Coins page.
The Disney – Steamboat Willie gold and silver coins are the first in a two-year program of regular issues depicting Disney’s most loved characters.
Oh well, I was late to the party on this one. I would have loved to pick up the gold mickey. Congrats to who got in.
You have got to be kidding me…Let me get this straight: struck by the Perth Mint, on behalf of the New Zealand Mint, officially licensed and legal tender of the South Pacific island nation of Niue. Did anyone forgot that Mickey Mouse is a product Walt Disney and the United States?
Troy, Those “thank you customer bags” the mint is giving out free is made in viet nam… how irritating is that????
I don’t know what irritates me more, the bag being made in Vietnam or that the baseball coins won’t ship until June/July. Either way, it’s all falling apart. Maybe I’m delusional, maybe it’s all “mickey mouse” BS.
It’s not always about you. These Mickey Mouse coins might be in your possession when others first hear about themand they’re too late to get them. Collecting coins includes the dimension of getting coins others will want, but hear about them too late. On the secondary market, if you have the coins, your are in the “driver’s seat” when it comes to selling or trading.
Don, Great response to those who do not understand numismatics. I work for a major coin distributor that offered both the 1 oz. silver and the 1/4 oz. gold in graded form. Additionally, we were the worldwide exclusive distributor of the 1 oz. gold with a total mintage of only 500. We started offering these on Monday and as of tonight, all graded coins are sold out. Our clients collect at all different levels and our most savvy collectors immediately recognized this coin as a valuable addition to their collection. Think about it; it appeals not only to coin collectors… Read more »
Hey Kathy, do you know the price of the 1 ounce Mickeys/Donalds, ungraded?
Thanks!
Too bad that both silver and gold Mickey Mouse coins were sold out!