1 Dollar Mary and Child Jesus

Kiribati has no domestic gold reserves and no mint of its own; coins issued under its authority are contract-struck, typically in Eastern Europe, for the collector market rather than circulation. This particular issue belongs to a wave of miniature gold devotional pieces that flooded the numismatic market in the early 2010s, using Pacific island nations as nominal issuers to sidestep the brand recognition — and premium pricing — of established European mints.

At 0.50 g in 14-karat gold, actual metal value is minimal. The appeal, such as it is, rests entirely on the devotional subject matter.