Tokelau's entry into the commemorative bullion market came unusually late — the territory issued no coinage of its own until 2012, when the New Zealand Mint began producing collector pieces on its behalf. The Leo zodiac issue was part of a twelve-coin series targeting the Asian collector market, where demand for gilded silver zodiac pieces was substantial enough to justify the modest production runs.
KM#149a designates the gilded variant, distinguished from the plain silver 149 by selective gold plating applied after striking.
Tokelau's entry into the commemorative bullion market came unusually late — the territory issued no coinage of its own until 2012, when the New Zealand Mint began producing collector pieces on its behalf. The Leo zodiac issue was part of a twelve-coin series targeting the Asian collector market, where demand for gilded silver zodiac pieces was substantial enough to justify the modest production runs.
KM#149a designates the gilded variant, distinguished from the plain silver 149 by selective gold plating applied after striking.