The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official New Zealand Stamps and Coins Catalogue

About New Zealand Post Representing New Zealand for more than 170 years, New Zealand Post connects

Aotearoa, New Zealand to the world through commemorative stamps and coins.

At the heart of the New Zealand Post stamp and coin business is a philosophy that underpins everything we do - we celebrate our national identity through unique collectable products.

We are proud to be the only official issuer of New Zealand legal tender collectable

coins in partnership with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Our coins are highly

collectable with low worldwide mintages, and they reflect New Zealand’s culture, history, landscape and people.

Our first stamp was issued in 1855, and in the many years since we have used

collectable postage stamps as a way of telling stories about who we are as a nation.

Š Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc. (s12)

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Worldwide Exclusive: The hobbit New Zealand Post has the worldwide exclusive rights to produce official ‘The Hobbit™’ legal tender commemorative coins. To complement these premium collectable coins, we are also releasing official stamps celebrating the much-anticipated film: ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.

Both the stamp and the coin issues are guaranteed to be incredibly popular. From 2001 to 2004 we issued official stamps and coins for ‘The Lord of the Rings™’ trilogy that

were extremely successful – both for New Zealand Post and in the secondary market.

A number of products in the issue sold out, and Tolkien fans around the world flocked in their thousands to purchase our official ‘The Lord of the Rings™’ collectables.

YOUR OPPORTUNiTY This is your opportunity to get involved early and capitalise on the excitement that is already building around ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’. View a selection of

New Zealand Post’s highly collectable ‘The Hobbit™’ coins and stamps in this booklet

and get in touch with us to find out more about joining us on this exciting journey.

Contact us To find out more Email thehobbit@nzpost.co.nz, or contact us using the details below.

Ivor Masters Head of Stamps, Coins and REAL Aotearoa ivor.masters@nzpost.co.nz +64 4 496 4420

Simon Allison Sales and Marketing Manager simon.allison@nzpost.co.nz +64 4 496 4758

Nancy Cheung Senior Coins Specialist nancy.cheung@nzpost.co.nz +64 9 367 9630

Denise Hui Coins Production and Supply Specialist denise.hui@nzpost.co.nz +64 4 496 4150 www.nzpost.co.nz/thehobbit

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Why The Hobbit?

‘In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit.’ This single sentence, coined by J.R.R.

Tolkien in the early 1930s, was the beginning of a story that would unexpectedly take

New Zealand by storm. The first edition of ‘The Hobbit™’ was published in 1937 and sold

out in only two months. It has since been republished many times around the world, and its sequel ‘The Lord of the Rings™’ gave Tolkien fans further insights into the characters and places that make up Middle-earth.

New Zealand – Home of Middle-Earth once again It wasn’t until New Zealand’s very own Peter Jackson filmed ‘The Lord of the Rings™’ trilogy that the stories became a global phenomenon. The trilogy generated US$2.9

billion in worldwide box-office receipts. Most importantly, it put New Zealand on the world stage, spelling big dollars for New Zealand’s tourism industry and establishing Aotearoa as the ‘Home of Middle-earth’.

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes ‘The Hobbit: An

Unexpected Journey’, the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular

masterpiece ‘The Hobbit™’, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The three films tell a continuous story

set in Middle-earth 60 years before ‘The Lord of the Rings™’, which Jackson and his

filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’.

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ follows the journey of title character Bilbo

Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the

legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild;

through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.

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product list

Page

Premium gold coin ............................................................................. 6 Premium gold coin set ........................................................................ 7 Silver coin with gold plating .............................................................. 8 Silver coin set .................................................................................... 9 Brilliant uncirculated coin ............................................................... 10 Brilliant uncirculated coin set .......................................................... 11 Gummed stamp set ............................................................................. 12 Miniature sheets ................................................................................ 13 First day covers .................................................................................. 14 Miniature sheet first day covers ......................................................... 15 Set of six maximum cards ................................................................... 16 Self-adhesive products ....................................................................... 17 Presentation pack .............................................................................. 18 The Ultimate Collection .................................................................... 19

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premium gold coin

The 1oz gold proof coin is the premium single coin in ‘The Hobbit™’ collection, and portrays the journey of Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit who is unexpectedly swept away from his home in the Shire to embark upon an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Made from 0.9999 gold and with a stricly limited mintage of 1,000 this coin is sure to be highly collectable for years to come.

This limited edition coin is beautifully packaged within a wooden case with the official ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ logo intricately engraved into the lid. Inside the box you’ll find an individually numbered certificate - adding to the authenticity of this special coin.

Specifications Denomination

Finish:

Composition:

Weight:

Diameter:

Edge treatment:

NZ$10

Proof

0.9999 gold

1 troy oz

38.94mm

Milled

Shape:

Obverse design:

Reverse design:

Mint:

Worldwide mintage limit:

Issue year:

Pricing:

Round

Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Bilbo Baggins leaving Bag End

Royal Australian Mint

1,000

2012

RRP: NZ$3,695.00

All product images are illustrations only and subject to change. The obverse design is common across all ‘The Hobbit™’ coins.

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premium gold coin set

The set of three 1oz gold proof coins features three of the main characters in the film: Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield. Gandalf is one of the most powerful Wizards in Middle-earth and Thorin is the respected leader of the Company of Dwarves. Each coin is official legal tender and is made from 0.9999 gold. Limited to only 250 sets worldwide, this stunning set from Middle-earth will sell out extremely fast.

This premium coin set is packaged within a beautiful wooden case, onto which the official ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ logo has been carved. The box also contains a special drawer to hold the individually numbered certificate of authenticity, and the lock ensures that these precious coins will be safe for years to come.

Specifications Denomination:

Finish:

Composition:

Weight:

Diameter:

Edge treatment:

NZ$10

Proof

0.9999 gold

1 troy oz

38.94mm

Milled

Shape:

Obverse design:

Reverse design:

Mint:

Worldwide mintage limit:

Issue year:

Pricing:

Round

Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield

Royal Australian Mint

250

2012

RRP: NZ$10,995.00

All product images are illustrations only and subject to change. The obverse design is common across all ‘The Hobbit™’ coins.

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silver coin with gold plating

The 1oz silver proof coin with gold plating is sure to be a favourite worldwide. It features selective gold plating around the rim, where the words ‘Middle-earth - New Zealand’

are inscribed in both English and Dwarvish. The depiction of Bilbo Baggins embarking

on his journey captures the theme of the film and the individually numbered certificate adds to the collectability of this timeless coin.

Specifications Denomination:

Finish:

Composition:

Weight:

Diameter:

Edge treatment:

NZ$1

Proof

0.999 silver with gold plating

1 troy oz

40mm

Milled

Shape:

Obverse design:

Reverse design:

Mint:

Worldwide mintage limit:

Issue year:

Pricing:

Round

Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Bilbo Baggins leaving Bag End

Royal Australian Mint

20,000

2012

RRP: NZ$149.00

All product images are illustrations only and subject to change. The obverse design is common across all ‘The Hobbit™’ coins.

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silver coin set

As well as Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield, the set of six 1oz silver proof coins portrays Radagast - an eccentric Wizard and friend to Gandalf, Elrond - one of the wisest and most ancient Elves in Middle-earth, and Gollum a mysterious creature that will change Bilbo’s life forever. The set is contained within an intricately carved wooden box .

Specifications Denomination:

Finish:

Composition:

Weight:

Diameter:

Edge treatment:

NZ$1

Proof

0.999 silver

1 troy oz

40mm

Milled

Shape:

Obverse design:

Reverse design:

Mint:

Worldwide mintage limit:

Issue year:

Pricing:

Round

Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, Radagast, Elrond and Gollum

Royal Australian Mint

1,000

2012

RRP: NZ$889.00

All product images are illustrations only and subject to change. The obverse design is common across all ‘The Hobbit™’ coins.

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Brilliant uncirculated coin

This brilliant uncirculated coin captures a significant scene in ‘The Hobbit: An

Unexpected Journey’. It depicts the moment in the film when Bilbo Baggins is presented with a contract to take on the role of ‘burglar’ on the quest. The setting is Bilbo’s

home - Bag End, and the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield is pictured in the background with other Dwarves.

Specifications Denomination:

Finish:

Composition:

Weight:

Diameter:

Edge treatment:

NZ$1

Brilliant uncirculated

Al/Zn/Br (gold colour)

20g

39mm

Milled

Shape:

Obverse design:

Reverse design:

Mint:

Worldwide mintage limit:

Issue year:

Pricing:

Round

Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Bilbo Baggins reading the contract

Royal Australian Mint

Unlimited

2012

RRP: NZ$29.90

All product images are illustrations only and subject to change. The obverse design is common across all ‘The Hobbit™’ coins.

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Brilliant uncirculated coin set

The set of three brilliant uncirculated coins portrays a range of characters that play important roles in Bilbo Baggins’s journey. Gandalf is pictured alongside fellow

Wizard Radagast, three of the thirteen Dwarves are shown on their journey, and Thorin Oakenshield is pictured with his sword, Orcrist.

Specifications Denomination:

Finish:

Composition:

Weight:

Diameter:

Edge treatment:

NZ$1

Brilliant uncirculated

Al/Zn/Br (gold colour)

20g

39mm

Milled

Shape:

Obverse design:

Reverse design:

Mint:

Worldwide mintage limit:

Issue year:

Pricing:

Round

Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Gandalf and Radagast, Dwarves and Thorin Oakenshield

Royal Australian Mint

Unlimited

2012

RRP: NZ$85.00

All product images are illustrations only and subject to change. The obverse design is common across all ‘The Hobbit™’ coins.

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GUmmed stamp set

The gummed stamp set consists of six stamps - each showing a key character from

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’. The characters featured are Bilbo Baggins, Gollum, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, Radagast and Elrond.

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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RRP: NZ$11.40

Miniature sheets

Each of the gummed stamps is incorporated into this set of six unique miniature sheets that portrays scenes from the highly anticipated film: ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.

RRP: NZ$14.40

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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first day coverS

RRP: NZ$11.90

Gummed first day cover

Self-adhesive first day cover

RRP: NZ$11.90

The gummed first day cover and self-adhesive first day cover are unique collectables that mark the first day of issue of the stamps. Both feature imagery from ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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MiNiATURE SHEET FiRST DAY COVERS

Each of the six miniature sheets is incorporated into a set of six unique miniature sheet first day covers featuring imagery from ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.

RRP: NZ$17.40

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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set of six MAXiMUM CARDS

Reverse design of ‘Bilbo Baggins’ maximum card

Each maximum card features imagery from ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ and has a corresponding self-adhesive stamp affixed. The card includes information about the character featured on the stamp, and also includes pre-paid postage for sending from Middle-earth to anywhere in the world.

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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RRP: NZ$14.40

SELF-ADHESiVE PRODUCTS

The strip of self-adhesive stamps features six characters from ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.

RRP: NZ$11.40

The booklet of self-adhesive stamps includes four stamps of Bilbo Baggins, two stamps of Gollum and one stamp each of Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, Radagast and Elrond.

RRP: NZ$14.90 All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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PRESENTATiON PACK

The presentation pack is a piece of cinematic history and a unique memento of

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’. Contained within the pack are the set of six

miniature sheets, the gummed first day cover and the strip of six self-adhesive stamps.

It’s also a great way to learn more about the characters featured on the stamps.

RRP: NZ$29.90

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

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The ULTiMATE COLLECTiON

The Ultimate Collection is a comprehensive package of all the stamp products issued to celebrate ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.

RRP: NZ$385.00

All product images are illustration only and subject to change.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the New Zealand Post Stamps and Coins Business. © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc. (s12)

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