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Mike Tyson jumps in ring with Houston celeb dealer to launch exclusive collectible coins

Boxing legend and pop-culture icon Mike Tyson may not want to hand over $450,000 to that drunk dude he had to check in an airplane last year. But Iron Mike is ready to give people his own line of signative coins (and they're not made of iron, natch).

Tyon has joined forces with Houston’s Celebrity Mint to launch a limited edition series of gold and silver collectibles, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Crafted from .9999 gold and .999 silver, the pioneering, legal tender trading coins are now available on CelebrityMint.com and eBay.

Thousands of viewers tuned in to eBay Live last week as Iron Mike joined Celebrity Mint to unveil his exclusive line of products. “This is legendary,” Tyson said on the eBay Live broadcast. “This is humbling me. I’m very proud of this... This is the baddest coin on the planet.”

Celebrity Mint – founded by the Duncan Group of Houston’s U.S. Coins and Jewelry – is fusing the timeless thrill of sports memorabilia collecting with the prestige of coin collecting to invite a new generation of collectors into the fold.

Tyson’s Celebrity Mint collectibles include Iron Mike Signature Series Coins, including 1,499 coins at 2 oz. silver and 491 pieces at 5 oz. silver. Each item is autographed by Tyson and certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).

Mike Tyson Celebrity Mint Houston Tyson authorized a full line of coins and cards. Photo courtesy of Celebrity Mint Houston

Fans can also check out the 0.5 Gram Gold Legends Series cards, authenticated and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Co. (NGC) through its coin grading arm NGCX. Only 1,000 were made, including 100 chase cards with a vibrant green colorway.

More hardware includes 2-oz. Silver Chibi Coins and 24k Gilded 2 oz. Silver Chibi Coins, both graded by PCGS Proof Ultra Cam 69 or 70. Only 500 were made, including 50 of the 24k Gilded Silver, per press materials.

Photo courtesy of Celebrity Mint Houston

Tyson gushed about his line on eBay Live.

“We are unveiling the ultimate sports collectible piece,” said Celebrity Mint co-founder Kenny Duncan Jr. in a press statement. “When we founded Celebrity Mint, we wanted to work with icons – the best of the best. It is an honor and pleasure to work with Iron Mike to create these new collectibles that celebrate his legendary career.”

This isn’t the first time sports icons are getting their mint on. The worlds of sports memorabilia and rare coins collided in October as Celebrity Mint debuted its first ever legal tender trading coins with wrestling icon Ric Flair (wooo!) at New York Comic Con.

Upcoming launches for its inaugural Legends Series will include boxing boss Floyd Mayweather, all-time baseball hit leader and cultural lightning rod Pete Rose, and more to be announced soon.

This Week's Hot Headlines

New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.