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Source: ONE News
A collectible coin to commemorate the end of the Vietnam War 35 years ago today has been issued by New Zealand's only precious metal mint.
The coins will be sold around the world along with another collectors' item - an original "safe conduct pass" similar to those airdropped over North Vietnam to entice Viet Cong soldiers to surrender.
New Zealand Mint sales director Chris Kirkness says the passes saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
"We feel privileged to be able to use the passes with our new coin to commemorate the ending of hostilities on April 30, 1975," he says.
The coin depicts a gold gilded and coloured South Vietnamese flag, the central image of the safe conduct pass.
It also features an engraving of a South Vietnamese soldier standing next to a Viet Cong defector, modelled on the photo on the back of pass.
The mint produced 5,000 of the silver coins and will market them globally, including in the United States.
