The Hobbit Coins of Sherlock’s Freeman and Cumberbatch

Readers of this journal and Sherlockians probably think of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson when they hear the names of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. The lead and supporting actors of BBC’s Sherlock actually flip roles in the series of Hobbit films, with Freeman taking the lead and Cumberbatch in a supporting role.

Based on the increased tourism in New Zealand after the earlier Lord of the Rings films, the country of New Zealand struck a deal with the Warner Brothers film studios to market the country as the fictional Middle Earth featured in the Hobbit film series. Starting in 2012, the Royal Australian Mint would strike many coins featuring characters and scenes from the film series.  This article will only deal with the coins featuring Freeman’s character of Bilbo Baggins and Cumberbatch’s character of Smaug the Dragon.

Bilbo Baggins with sword – 2012 $1

40 mm, 1 troy oz. .999 sterling silver, Round, milled edge, 1,000 minted

Part of a 6-coin set in a carved wooden case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Bilbo Baggins embarking on his journey – 2012 $1

40 mm, 1 troy oz. .999 sterling silver with gold plating, Round, milled edge, 20,000 minted

In a presentation case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Bilbo Baggins with the contract – 2012 $1

39 mm, Gold colored Aluminum / Zinc / Bronze, Round, milled edge, unlimited mintage

Bilbo Baggins Embarking on His Journey – 2012 $10

38.94 mm, 1 troy oz. .9999 gold, Round, milled edge, 1,000 minted

In a presentation case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Smaug flying over Lonely Mountain- 2013 $1

40 mm, 1 troy oz. .999 sterling silver with gold plating, Round, milled edge, 20,000 minted

In a presentation case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Smaug flying over Lonely Mountain- 2013 $10

38.94 mm, 1 troy oz. .9999 gold, Round, milled edge, 500 minted

In a wooden presentation case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Smaug the  Dragon – 2014 $1

39 mm, Gold colored Aluminum / Zinc / Bronze, Round, milled edge, unlimited mintage

Smaug conversing with Bilbo Baggins- 2014 $1

40 mm, 1 troy oz. .999 sterling silver with gold plating, Round, milled edge, 20,000 minted

In a presentation case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Smaug conversing with Bilbo Baggins- 2014 $10

38.94 mm, 1 troy oz. .9999 gold, Round, milled edge, 500 minted

In a wooden presentation case with numbered certificate of authenticity

Bilbo Baggins – 2014 $10

38.94 mm, 1 troy oz. .9999 gold, Round, milled edge, 250 minted

Part of a 3-coin set in a carved wooden case with numbered certificate of authenticity

All of these coins feature Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.  All of these coins are still available for purchase from this site.

One unique feature of all of the Hobbit coin designs is that all bear the copyright mark of WBEI – Warner Brothers Entertainment, Inc.

We’ll be coming back to the Hobbit coinage (and the earlier New Zealand Lord of the Rings coinage) next year to document the coins featuring Gandalf the Wizard after the new Sherlock Holmes movie starring Ian McKellen is released.