NZ company to produce Doctor Who anniversary coin

A New Zealand company has struck a deal to produce a one-ounce gold coin to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.

There are only 250 of the coins being produced by New Zealand Mint and each is expected to sell for US$2500, despite a nominal value of $200.

New Zealand Mint chief executive Simon Harding says the gold coin has been produced following "significant" international response to a silver souvenir coin from fans of the sci-fi series around the world.

The company auctioned eight silver coins on ebay, with all profits going towards is annual initiative of sending two students from Niue to Outward bound.

"In doing so [we] created an international bidding frenzy with one coin selling to a Canadian bidder for more than 15 times its $155 face value.

"We think this limited edition Doctor Who one ounce gold coin will be snapped up in record time - it's a very exclusive mintage with only 250 coins produced."

The coin, which features an engraved picture of Doctor's Who Tardis spacecraft comes in a wooden box. It is issued as legal tender under the authority of Niue Island and the border features the engraved words 'Doctor Who 50th anniversary 1963 - 2013'.

The series marks its 50th anniversary with a special feature-length episode in November.

Current Doctor Matt Smith will hand over to Scottish actor Peter Capaldi in the Chrsitmas special.

Sir Peter Jackson has been linked to the series recently after offering to direct an episode in return for a Dalek, an arrangement showrunner Steven Moffat appeared to give weight to during a recent interview.