Niue: Here’s Something Completely Different – New Silver Coins Celebrate The Humble Buffalo Wing Turning 60

From their humble beginnings, the Buffalo Wing, so-named after the city in New York where they are said to have originated have become one of the most sought-after side dishes served from top-rated Restaurants to side-road cafes. Today the Buffalo Wing represents Game Day, Friday nights at home with a good video and for millions around the world, they are also the perfect companion to take-out pizza nights. Speaking of Game Day, Buffalo wings are the most popular food, with over 1.3 billion wings enjoyed during the Superbowl. Just about every Restaurant who includes Buffalo wings on their menu will have their own secret recipe or preparation technique which stands them out from any other offering. From mega-spicy to crispy, BBQ style or mesquite the list goes on and in terms of specialty dips – that list is much longer.

However, before 1964 as the tale goes, it’s hard to believe this All-American snack didn’t even exist! According to what some may describe as an urban myth, the owners of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York were faced with the arrival of their teenage son Dominic and a group of his rowdy friends. With the bar set to close for the night, Dominic’s mother Teresa Bellissimo needed to improvise in the way of tasty snacks. Looking around, she found a tray of previously unused chicken wings, prepared a simple batter and deep-fried the wings which portioned in halves. The twist came when she added some locally made spicy hot sauce and presto… the first ever bowl of delicious Buffalo wings was born – and triumphantly served to a roomful of very hungry young men. So successful was this dish that the Bellisimo’s put their new chicken wing dish on the menu - The wings were an instant hit, and their popularity quickly spread throughout the city and state so that they came to be known as…Buffalo wings. So, just to clarify, Buffalo wings are indeed chicken wings that have adopted a city’s name – and have nothing to do with the large animal found grazing on Mid-western prairies.

The uniquely-shaped silver coins are produced by the New Century Mint at their facilities in Shanghai, China and specially commissioned by the Melbourne Coins and Collectibles Group on behalf of the Treasury of Niue. Designed by Alan Marks, they faithfully replicate one of the a Buffalo wings prepared by the artist for this assignment together with a texturised surface and colour print closely resembling a lightly golden-deep-fried wing. The reverse side includes the official crest of the Island of Niue, the denomination TWO DOLLARS is placed above the crest with the year of issue 2024 placed just below.

Each coin is cleverly presented in a folder resembling a café menu complete with red and white checkerboard print and specifications shown on the inside cover. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of Melbourne Coin & Collectibles Company.