Lions tour stamps and coins a hit with overseas buyers

The stamps show each of the seven regions around the country where the rugby games are being played incorporated into a map of New Zealand. Photo / Supplied

A series of commemorative stamps and coins for the British and Irish Lions Tour have been a hit with rugby fans, and have been selling well overseas.

A large number of the coins and stamps have been selling from the NZ Post website to UK buyers, head of stamps and coins Simon Allison said.

"We do about 11 issues a year and there's probably one or two that are similar to the Lions where it may not necessarily be collectors who purchase them," he said.

Instead, rugby fans were snapping them up as a way to remember the 2017 tour.

The coins have already sold out after going on sale on May 3, Allison said.

The stamps show each of the seven regions around the country where the rugby games are being played incorporated into a map of New Zealand.

NZ Post worked with renowned New Zealand designer Dave Burke to come up with images worthy of the excitement and tradition that the rugby tour brings with it.

"The British and Irish Lions Tour 2017 is a very special event for any rugby fan," Allison said.

"Many of us will remember how the 2005 tour captivated the country.

"It's quite a spectacular event, the Lions tour, so they choose to celebrate it through stamps and coins."

The 1 oz (28g) silver proof coins costing $149 sold out around the second week of being on sale.

Allison said NZ Post was also doing an America's Cup issue.

"These types of issues seem to just align very well with what people are interested in."

The stamps can be ordered online at www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps and are on sale in PostShops.