16 April 2019
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The 1984 video game Tetris is to be featured on a new, limited edition coin from New Zealand Mint.
The release of the coin will coincide with the 35th anniversary of Tetris, which falls on 6 June 2019.
In 1984, Tetris® was born from the imagination of computer programmer, Alexey Pajitnov. Inspired by his favorite puzzle board game, Pentominos, Pajitnov created an electronic game that let players arrange puzzle pieces in real time as they fell from the top of the playing field.
The resulting design was a game that used seven distinctive geometric playing pieces, each made up of four Tetriminos. Pajitnov called this game “Tetris,” a combination of “tetra” (the Greek word meaning “four”) and “tennis” (his favorite sport).
The coin
The coin features the Tetris game’s well-known Tetrimino shapes on a chequered, proof background, arranged in a way to make it appear as if they are falling, as in the game itself.
The coin is housed inside a Tetris-themed box shaped like an arcade cabinet and includes a colourful image of the Kremlin, paying homage to the game’s Russian origins. This box includes a Certificate of Authenticity on its base.
Coin details
Metal: 999 Fine Silver
Finish: Proof / Coloured
Weight: 1 Troy oz
Dimensions: 40mm
Denomination: $2
Country of Issue: Niue
Year of Issue: 2019
Mintage: 3,000
Order from the New Zealand Mint website.
