Rings coins to be released next month

The tormented creature Gollum is one of the characters from the Lord of the Rings featured on a set of coins being issued next month to mark the completion of the film trilogy.

New Zealand Post is marketing the coins which, although they are legal tender, will not be put into general circulation.

Besides Gollum, other rings characters pictured on the coins are Gandalf, Aragorn, Saruman, Sauron and Frodo.

The coins come in various values and styles:

50c coins - 'light versus dark' collection

$1 brilliant coins - 'battle for the ring' collection

$1 silver coins - 'scenes in silver' collection

$10 gold proof coin - 'the one ring'

Prime Minister Helen Clark struck the first $10 coin during a visit to the British Royal Mint in Wales earlier this year.

The coins will be available from NZ Post stamp centres from early December, and can also be purchased on the NZ Coins website.

Herald Feature: Lord of the Rings