Star Wars Coins Are Legal Currency On One South Pacific Island
Despite the broad and expansive civilization on display in the "Star Wars" universe, there remain several cultural signifiers that remain obscure to most mainstream viewers. It's rare, for instance, that one might see books or physical writing in "Star Wars." There also doesn't seem to be any type of long-range communication technology, as distant planets seem to remain ignorant of war news. How else would a character like Luke Skywalker pass into myth only after a mere 30 years out of the public eye? Here on Earth, we certainly have records stretching back to the year 1993. Although it is plausible that many readers have forgotten about the 1993 TV series "Acapulco H.E.A.T."
Another thing rarely seen in "Star Wars" is legal tender. It wouldn't be until the 2018 film "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" that off-world coinage would be seen in great quantities (in the Canto Bight Casino sequence), and that the universe of "Star Wars" would be expressly defined as having a wealthy class. When one does see the currency in "Star Wars," usually going by the name of Credits, it appears as oblong coins emblazoned with rectangular shapes. It seems that those sorts of coins would be difficult to carry in one's pocket. Mandalorians, meanwhile, use more Earth-like round coins. No one, it seems, uses folding money.
Regardless of its visibility in "Star Wars" shows and movies, it seems that one can actually use "Star Wars" branded money on the island nation of Niue, located in the South Pacific about 1,500 miles to the east of New Zealand. Niue, a country that is only about 100 square miles and is home to less than 2,000 people, will accept small, metal Darth Vader heads — printed by the New Zealand mint — as official currency.
Welcome to Niue
Prior to the mid-1700s, the Polynesian island of Niue was ruled only by local monarchies and certain prominent families. It was one of many islands colonized by England in the 1770s when it was "discovered" by Captain Cook. Cook declared the name of the nation to be "Savage Island," because, well, he was clearly such a culturally sensitive soul. He saw the Niueans painted red, coated with the dye of a local red-blossoming banana-like fruit. Cook assumed it was blood, and immediately called the natives "savages." Niue would be known as "Savage Island" for centuries. Its current name is much more innocuous; "Niue" translates to "behold the coconut."
Niue was considered a valuable stop on whaling expeditions throughout the 19th century, although fell out of favor as a whaling route by 1899. It wouldn't be the 1970s that Niue would become associated with the government of New Zealand, and accept the New Zealand dollar as its local currency. In 1994, Niue was finally recognized by the U.N. as being an independent state. An interesting piece of trivia: Niue doesn't have any organized political parties. All local politicians are independents.
According to a report from the Disney trivia website Chip & Co., it seems that the New Zealand Mint has been allowed to conduct a strange economic experiment. The Mint is responsible for printing small, collectible "Star Wars" coins as high-end souvenirs. The coins, made of gold or silver, are printed with scenes from "Star Wars" movies, or are in the shape of characters' heads and bodies. They run about $95 USD (for the silver Holiday coin) up to $800 USD (for the 40th anniversary "Return of the Jedi" coin).
As collectibles, these coins are mere items to buy. On Niue, they are accepted as currency.
Exchange rates
While it's amusing to picture walking into a bar in Niue and flinging down a few miniature Death Star coins as payment, it may not be worth the hassle. The above-mentioned "Return of the Jedi" is 0.25 oz. of gold, and only exchanges at 25 New Zealand dollars. At the current exchange rate, that's about $15.70 in USD. After buying an $800 coin, that's quite a loss on the cocktail you wanted to buy. Indeed, the gold itself may have more value than the coin, but that depends on the purity of the metal.
And, yes, even the coins not shaped like coins are legal tender in Niue. A rectangular rendition of Han Solo frozen in carbonite, a monstrous 10 oz. of silver, is worth $20 NZD. The 2 oz. silver cartoon coin of Jabba the Hutt is word five NZD. Even some of the franchise's newer characters have been included. Reva Sevander from the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" TV series has her own coin, as does Cad Bane from "The Book of Boba Fett." Both of those coins are 1 oz. of silver and are worth $2 NZD. Perhaps the most coveted would be the Darth Vader head coin. Retailing for a mere $99 USD, the Darth Vader coin is also 1 oz. of silver, worth $2 NZD. Carry one around in your pocket for good luck. The coins are all limited editions, so if you want one, and you happen to have piles of cash lying around, then grab them quickly.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, the "Star Wars" coins have been accepted as legal tender in Niue since 2011.
The new plan: go to Niue, buy a sandwich, and hope that you get Boba Fett as change.