10 Dollars - Elizabeth II (Pikachu)

The 2001 Niue 10-dollar Pikachu coin was issued as part of a commemorative legal tender series celebrating the global phenomenon of the Pokémon franchise. Struck in Niue, a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, the coin features the iconic Pikachu character on the reverse, accompanied by the Niue coat of arms on the obverse. This release occurred during the height of the international Pokémon craze, aimed primarily at collectors and young fans who were eager to acquire physical memorabilia tied to the franchise’s expanding media empire.

The design was officially licensed by The Pokémon Company to commemorate the franchise's enduring cultural impact at the turn of the millennium. The series was produced to meet the demand for novelty numismatic items that bridged the gap between traditional coin collecting and contemporary pop culture. While the coin is legal tender in Niue, it is widely classified as a bullion or collector's piece due to its thematic nature, and it remains a notable example of how licensed intellectual property began to feature more prominently in government-backed minting programs.