2013 The Hobbet II

The Desolation of Smaug.

See my complete collection of Lord of the Ring / The Hobbit stamps.

For a collection of all the miniature sheets released with this issue,

view our post 2016 A Journey Through Middle-earth.



         In Dec 2013 the long awaited second movie of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy was released. Created by New Zealand's famous director, Peter Jackson this movie was one of a series of three based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book 'The Hobbit.'
        Set in the same Middle Earth as the Lord of the Rings but some 40 years before, this story tells of the adventures of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
        In the first movie they survived the beginning of their unexpected journey. This second movie pick up the story as the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous Mirkwood Forest. After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself. Here they must face the greatest danger of all – a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself – the Dragon Smaug.

       The movie was a good one, action packed with a fast moving story. Scenic and visual effects were brilliant too. By far the best part was when they reached the Lonely Mountain and entered the Dwarves kingdom of Erebor the movie comes to its climax as Bilbo comes face to face with the dragon Smaug. Smaug was amazing, so good I think we should have put him on one of the stamps below. I enjoyed that part of the movie.
        The person with me, not having read the Hobbit, found the story a bit confusing. Beorn the skin-changer was particularly hard to understand.
         The conversation between Bilbo and Smaug was interesting but nothing like in the book. In the first movie, "An Unexpected Journey," they followed the conversation between Bilbo and Gollum was very close to the book. I think I would say I was disappointed at how far this second movie has deviated from Tolkien's story. 

                                                    

'Thorin Oakenshield - 70c.                                                                  Gandalf - $1.40.

Tauriel - $1.90.

Bilbo Baggins - $2.10.

                                                      

Legolas Greenleaf - $2.40.                                                                Bard the Bowman - $2.90.

Coins Issued by New Zealand.

This 1oz gold proof coin is the premium single coin in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug collection. The eye-catching design features Smaug – a giant fire-breathing Dragon – flying above the Lonely Mountain. Made from 0.9999 gold and with a low worldwide mintage of 500 this coin is sure to be highly collectable for years to come.

The set of three 1oz gold proof coins feature three key characters in the film:

Azog, Thranduil and Bilbo Baggins

This silver proof coin set features all of the thirteen Dwarves: Thorin Oakenshield, Dwalin, Balin, Fili, Kili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur and Bombur across five premium coins.

The silver coin features selective gold plating around the rim, where the words ‘Middle-earth - New Zealand’ are inscribed. The iconic depiction of Smaug and the Lonely Mountain are integral to the film.