German Snow White Euros

2012 marked the launch of a series of German euros commemorating the 200th anniversary of Brothers Grimm fairy tales. A new coin is scheduled to be appear each year until 2017. The first design featured a depiction of the brothers themselves.

The second issue was released on March 21, 2013. This €10 coin celebrates Snow White and was designed by Berlin artist Bastian Prillwitz.

The final artwork for the coin was selected from several potential candidates. Here's what the jury had to say about the winning piece:

The design portrays the main theme of the fairy tale, the beauty contest and the queen’s envy of the princess, without lapsing into cliché, and also leaves room for personal interpretations. By using the popular elements of the mirror, apple and dwarfs, the fairy tale is clearly identifiable.

The artistic design is clear in its composition of the individual illustrations, and the differentiated three-dimensional effect of the relief is impressive. The two sides of the coin are brought together by replicating the contours of the mirror’s frame in the outline of the eagle. Overall, the design is fresh and unconventional, and on the whole it convinced the jury more than any other design.

The Snow White euro was struck in both a copper-nickel alloy and in .625 fine silver, the silver version being a limited edition proof quality with a weight of 16g and a diameter of 32.5mm. The copper-nickel was produced in FDC quality and is available in German commercial banks at face value. Approximately 1.3 million coins in circulation.



The runner-up artist designs for the Snow White euro...

2nd place

3rd place

4th place

Additional images via Euro Hobby.

French Snow White Euros

In 2002, the Monnaie de Paris in France minted a Children's Tales of Europe series of euro coins. These legal tender pieces were struck to proof quality with specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks. The Grimm Brothers' Snow White was commemorated with two separate coins.

The first is a solid 22 carat gold 20 euro, a limited edition of 1000 worldwide. The half ounce coin has a diameter of 31mm. The design face features the Witch offering Snow the poison apple, with the Magic Mirror and Queen's crown in the foreground. Behind them are gathered the Seven Dwarfs around the Princess' coffin as the Prince delivers True Love's First Kiss.

Issued in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Gold Euro images via PandaAmerica and The London Coin Company.

The same design is found on the second coin, a 1.5 euro made from 90% silver. Snow White's dress, lips, and hair ribbon are colored. A total of 15,000 in circulation. Weight 22.2g; diameter 37mm.

Euro in original box with certificate.

Silver Euro images via Black Mountain Coins, apt83 and The French Coin Specialist.

1983 'Disney Collectors Society' Ceramic Medallion

The Walt Disney Collectors Society (WDCS) was formed in 1993 by the Walt Disney Company to enhance the collecting of porcelain sculptures found in the Walt Disney Classics Collection. WDCS is not to be confused with something called the Disney Collectors Society (DCS).

DCS was different, though in what way exactly is difficult to say. We do know that The Disney Collectors Society was established a decade earlier in 1983. Charter members received this "Snow White and Friends" ceramic medallion which measures approximately 3" in diameter. Made in Japan.

Images and additional info courtesy of TokyoMagic! at Meet the World.

Backside ...

Box...

What was The Disney Collectors Society? If we compare the logo for DCS to that of The Disneyana Collector newsletter (seen in previous post), we notice certain similarities in the graphic design. Since we know that Grolier Enterprises was the publisher of the newsletter, and they also manufactured ceramic Disney ornaments, many disc-shaped like the medallion, it's not too great a stretch to hypothesize that Grolier had something to do with the formation of The Disney Collectors Society.

Logo from The Disneyana Collector newsletter...

As it turns out, Grolier was the force behind The Disney Collectors Society. Accompanying the Snow White medallion was a membership card that read, "A service of Grolier Enterprises, Inc."

Yet, doing a Google search doesn't reveal much more about the Society. It probably didn't last too long.

Additional image via listia.

Mardi Gras Doubloons

It's Fat Tuesday and time to catch some coin down in New Orleans. Tossed from parade floats, Mardi Gras doubloons are a particularly fun collectible since they are not for sale but only available during the Carnival season (or thru resellers, e.g. ebay). The coins measure 1.5" in diameter and are typically made from aluminum, although some are bronze or rarer silver.
Snow White has been represented on the face of these medallions more than once over the years. She sometimes appears in her Disney form, other times as a more generic storybook character. The Old Witch, Poison Apple, and Magic Mirror have all turned up as well.
1973: This "Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall" token features an image of a hand-held magic mirror. Issued by the Four Corners Carnival Club.

1979: Another "Mirror, Mirror" coin shows the Disney princess standing in front of a full-size mirror. Made by the Southport Revelers.

1980: The caption for this medallion reads, "It's a Child's World". Snow White is pictured along with Raggedy Ann and Andy, Mother Goose, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Prince Valiant and Santa Claus. Made from gold colored, anodized aluminum.

1982: A "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" piece. The princess is pictured in the center with the dwarfs below. The coin was produced by the Knights of Babylon in the normal silver colored aluminum, gold anodized aluminum, and also in a multi-colored form.

1988: This special multi-color "Stories Twice Told" doubloon comes from the Knights of Sparta. Features Snow White's Apple, Peter Pan, Captain Ahab's ship, and a giant squid attacking the Nautilus.

Also in 1988, a "Cleophas Salutes the Children" piece was produced. Features Disney's Snow White and the Dwarfs, a clown holding balloons, and a Christmas tree with presents.

1993: The Krewe of Endymion tossed out these different color "Flights of Fantasy" coins. The Old Witch from Snow White is joined by Peter Pan, Jack and the Bean Stalk, and the Little Mermaid. A special .999 fine silver oval doubloon was also created and would have been handed out to friends, family and special guests of the Endymion Krewe.

1994:  From the Krewe of Aquila comes this "Once Upon A Time" medallion made of .999 fine silver. The Witch from Snow White is pictured with Pinocchio, a frog with a crown, and a beanstalk leading up to a castle in the clouds

1996: A "For the Young at Heart" coin spotlights Disney's Snow White along with Ariel (sitting atop a rock), and Jasmine and Aladdin (on the magic carpet).

2010: The Krewe of Iris produced this gold-plated bronze doubloon. It reads "Children's Classics" and shows the open pages of a book. Snow White's Apple is pictured along with Peter Pan, Mother Goose, Pinocchio and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. It was loads of fun! I came home with a handful of doubloons (and a mountain of beads, of course). I highly recommend the experience to anyone who hasn't tried it at least once.

Gold Coin Set (70th Anniversary - 2007)

This commemorative 24kt gold coin overlay set consists of 9 pieces--Snow White, all Seven Dwarfs, and a 70th anniversary logo. Individually numbered on the side of each coin, the collection is limited to 1937. The backs read: "Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 70th Anniversary December 21, 1937 © Disney." They measure approximately 1.5" in diameter.

Housed in a handsome wooden box (7.625" x 7.25") with a see-thru window, each coin is encased in it's own protective plastic covering. Certificate of Authenticity included. Original retail price $175 (USD).

Images via timefinder, 1670.caz752 and Walt Disney Event Services.

Commemorative Coins (60th Anniversary - 1997)

Let's get right into the Snow White 60th anniversary commemorations with a look at these specially-minted collector coins...

In 1997, the Disney Catalog produced this one troy ounce of .999 silver medallion featuring Snow White, the Prince, and Dwarfs all plated in 24K gold. The reverse side shows Snow surrounded by her animal friends. Minted by Liberty Mint, the coin is a limited edition of 1200. Sold in a red leather box. Certificate of Authenticity included. Retail price $75.

Coin images via Lori's Watches 2 and Sterling Remembered.

From page 3 of the early spring 1997 Disney Catalog...

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Liberty Mint also produced for the Disney Catalog a three-coin set that included An Art in Its Making miniature book. The medallions are each three troy ounces of .999 silver and spotlight the Queen, Dwarfs and of course Snow White. Limited edition of 1500. Red leather case. COA included.

 Images via Owl Street Books and Collectibles.

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The American Pacific Precious Metals Corporation also created a one troy ounce of .999 silver coin with Snow White on the face and Dwarfs opposite. Maximum mintage of 1,997. Sold in a 60th Anniversary box. COA included.