Minting Hobbits

New Zealand Post is minting coins and printing stamps featuring characters from Middle-earth to commemorate the upcoming film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The coins feature Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield and three other dwarves, wizard Radagast the Brown, Lord of Rivendell Elrond and Gollum. The coins range from a $1 coin retailing for $29.90 to a $10 coin made from pure gold that costs $3,695. The film is due in theatres 14 December.
(10 October 2012)