Friday 31 October 2014

Royal Mint Unveils £5 Poppy Coin To Commemorate WWI Centenary!

A limited edition £5 coin with a striking poppy motif has been released by the Royal Mint to commemorate the First World War centenary.


 Stirling Silver Alderney Remembrance Coin




The striking sterling silver Alderney Remembrance Coin shows falling poppies and carries the inscription "Remember the fallen".

Just 2,014 of the coins, designed by Laura Clancy, have been made and a donation from each sale will go to the Imperial War Museum.

Shane Bissett, the Royal Mint's director of commemorative coin, medals and bullion, said: "The centenary of the outbreak of the First World War makes this year's Remembrance Day all the more poignant, and is a fitting reason to create this brand new design for the 2014 Remembrance coin."

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Perth Mint Honours Anzacs With Silver Coin!

A limited number of silver coins marking 100 years since Australia's first fleet of military ships departed Albany to fight in World War I have been released by the Perth Mint.

Perth Mint Anzac Silver Coin

The coin features two ships, a list of the 39 vessels that set sail from the port, two short inscriptions and a red poppy motif.

Only 1914 Anzac Spirit 100th Anniversary Coin Series - First Convoy coins will be released.
About 30,000 troops from the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force, as well as about 8000 horses, departed from King George Sound in Albany on November 1, 1914.

Perth Mint spokesman Ron Currie said Albany played a significant role in the story of the Anzacs and said the Perth Mint was proud to honour the troops with a coin tribute.

The piece will be available for $63.50 from the Albany Australian Post Office, the Albany Visitor Centre, the National Anzac Centre and the Perth Mint.

Monday 27 October 2014

NGC Special Label For Silver Kennedy Coins!

The 2014 High Relief Silver Kennedy Half Dollar 50th Anniversary four-coin set is the most hotly anticipated modern coin release since 2011's sell-out 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. 

 Silver Kennedy Half Dollar 50th Anniversary Set
  
The US Mint has announced that the Silver Kennedy Half Dollar 50th Anniversary set will go on sale October 28 with 150,000 sets ready to ship. NGC will offer its popular Early Releases and First Releases designations only for those coins received by NGC within 30 days of their release.

Collectors can enhance the presentation of these exciting new Kennedy releases with a special large-sized label created by NGC. 

The label features an iconic portrait of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, along with his famous quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

For more information and submission instructions visit: NGCcoin.com/Kennedy50

Friday 24 October 2014

2014 Maple Leaves Silver Coin Glows in the Dark!

A new and unique collectible from the Royal Canadian Mint is its proof 2014 $20 Maple Leaves silver coin, featuring autumn coloring by day and a glow-in-the-dark appearance by night.

                                      2014 $20 Maple Leaves Glow-in-the-Dark Silver Coin

Struck in one-ounce of 99.99% pure silver and limited to 7,500 with 92% already sold, the $20 silver coin uses technology that unveils a single maple leaf when viewed in the dark.

Appearance of coin when removed from natural light

In normal lighting and as designed by Canadian artist Celia Godkin, the coin offers a striking view of sugar maple leaves in their autumn colors with reds, oranges and yellow tints.

It’s "a beautiful gift for someone who enjoys the colours of autumn mixed with a fun glow-in-the-dark maple leave," describes the Mint.

Surrounding the maple leaves are inscriptions of 20 DOLLARS, 9999, FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR and the artist’s initials of CF.

Obverses offer the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with encircling inscriptions of ELIZABETH II, CANADA and DG REGINA.

2014 $20 Maple Leaves Glow-in-the-Dark Silver Coins are available from the Royal Canadian Mint via its website of www.mint.ca or by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada or 1-800-268-6468 in the United States. An affiliate link to Mint’s product page for the coin is found hereicon.

Priced at CAD $104.95, or about US $93.25, coins ship encapsulated and in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clam shell with custom beauty box.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Krugerrand Gold Coins – The Granddaddy Of Modern Gold Bullion Coins!

The beautiful Krugerrand gold coin is probably the most well-known contemporary gold bullion coin. Released in 1967 from the South African Mint Company, it had been meant to circulate as a legal tender currency. The Krugerrand grew to become so popular that in 1980, 13 years after it was introduced, it accounted for 90 percent of the gold bullion market!

Krugerrand Gold Coin

The coin is 22 karat gold and is composed of 91.67% gold and 8.33% copper. This gold alloy combination makes the gold Krugerrand more durable than other gold bullion coins. The durability factor was an important consideration when designing the coin as it was intended to be circulated and had to be resistant to scratches and dents.

The most popular version of the coin, the 1 ounce size, weighs approximately 1.09 troy ozs, is 2.84 mm thick, and measures 32.77 mm in diameter. In 1980, three smaller varieties also became available, each containing one half ounce, one quarter ounce, and one tenth ounce of gold, respectively.

The front side (obverse) of the Krugerrand features the face of the 5th president of the South African Republic, Stephanus Jonannes Paulus Kruger. The name of the coin was actually derived from Kruger’s surname and the Rand, which is the official currency of South Africa. Also inscribed on the obverse side in capital letters are the words “Afrikaans” and the English version, “South Africa.”

The back side of the coin (reverse) features a picture of the South African National symbol, the springbok or antelope specie. At the top of the coin, is the inscription of the word, KRUGERRAND, the coin’s name. At the bottom, inscribed in both English and Afrikaans is the Krugerrand’s gold content. If the coin happened to be the one ounce variety, the inscription would be, “FYNGOUD 1 OZ FINE GOLD.”

Because of the remarkable success of the South African Gold Krugerrand, other foreign countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Australia began to mint their own gold bullion coins. Canada was the first to do so in 1979 when it released the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.

Collectors can also obtain the coin in proof edition, but they are more expensive than the regular bullion variety. Unlike many of the other bullion coins, such as the Canadian Maple Leaf and American Eagle, which are also produced in silver, Krugerrand gold coins are only available in gold. Beware of any websites offering these fake silver versions!

Monday 20 October 2014

2nd Coin In The 1oz 99.99% Pure Silver Bullion“Canadian Birds Of Prey” 4-Coin Series (2014)

An apex predator with no natural enemies as an adult, the amazing Bald Eagle has long been a potent symbol of vision, power, and stoicism. The adult boasts a wing span of more than 2 metres, a standing height of about 1 metre, and an average weight of up to 7 kilograms. 

Canadian Silver Bald Eagle Coin


Nesting in tall trees near large bodies of water and well away from human habitation, bald eagles survive on a diet of fish, birds, invertebrates, and small mammals, but are opportunistic feeders that will also steal from other predators and eat carrion.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Second coin in this exciting semi-annual bullion “Canadian Birds of Prey” 4-coin series from the Royal Canadian Mint.
 
1-ounce 99.99% pure silver coin crafted in bullion finish; an attractive acquisition for both first-time precious metals buyers and long-term investors.
Production limited to 1,000,000 coins!
 
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Item Number: 130579
UPC: 6-23932-05511-7
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Weight (g): 31.11
Diameter (mm): 38
Face Value: 5 dollars (CAD)
Finish: Bullion
Edge: Serrated/reeded
Production limited to: 1,000,000
Artist: Emily Damstra

DESIGN

The reverse image by Canadian artist Emily Damstra features a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) just having caught a fish. The eagle dominates the image, its stunning wings spread wide as it is viewed in full-body profile from its left side. Here we see the Bald Eagle’s characteristic dark body and wings, white head and tail, and powerful legs and talons.

The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Friday 17 October 2014

Gold & Silver Coins Remember Polish Writer Stefan Zeromski!

The National Bank of Poland has issued two new coins which remember the 150th anniversary of birth of one of Poland’s most hallowed authors, Stefan Zeromski (1864 – 1925). 


Stefan Zeromski Gold Coin

His extraordinary gift for compassion, his open-mindedness, and the dramatic plots of his books won him a loyal following. Zeromski was known as “the conscience of Polish literature” and there was some surprise when fellow Pole Wladyslaw Reymont won the Nobel Prize in 1924, with many feeling that Zeromski was the more deserving candidate.


The coins, one gold and silver are produced by the Mint of Poland in Warsaw. The gold coin is designed by artist Dominika KarpiÅ„ska-Kopiec and the silver coin designed by artist Robert Kotowicz. 


Stefan Zeromski Silver Coin

The gold coin includes a contemporary portrait facing three quarters towards the left with the author’s name in bold letters just below along with the years of Zeromski’s birth and death. 

The reverse includes the national insignia of the crowned eagle encircled in the author’s more well-known literary works & titles in text.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

2015 Gold and Silver Fractional Maple Leaf Sets Include Multiple Firsts!

The Royal Canadian Mint has released the 2015-dated Fractional Sets for the Gold and Silver Maple Leaf. Each set includes coins struck in 99.99% purity across a range of weights and features innovative firsts for the series.


                                                   2015 Gold Maple Leaf Fractional Set
 
The 2015 Gold Maple Leaf Fractional Set includes four different coins with weights of 1 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz. For the first time, each of the four coins features a different reverse design depicting a maple leaf as it spins gracefully through the air. 

As an additional first, the 1 oz coin included in the set has been edge lettered with a serialized number. All coins feature a reverse proof finish, giving a beautiful natural shine to each leaf.

The reverse designs were created by Lilyane Coulombe. The obverse of each coin contains the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Susanna Blunt.

All four coins of the set are presented in a red lacquer case with a standard beauty box. The mintage for the product has been established at 600 units.

                                                   2015 Silver Maple Leaf Fractional Set

The 2015 Silver Maple Leaf Fractional Set includes five coins with weights of 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and 1/20 oz. All five coins feature a depiction of a sugar maple leaf surrounded by a decorative scroll. 

For the first time, the five coins are struck using an incuse technique, imprinting the texture of the leaf beneath the surface of the coin. As an additional first, the 1 oz sized coin has been accented by a translucent red enamel which wills the entire maple leaf while allowing the contours to show through. All five coins carry a reverse proof finish.

Once again, the reverse design was created by Lilyane Coulombe. The obverse of each coin contains the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The set is presented in a clamshell case with a graphic beauty box. A maximum mintage of 9,999 has been established for the product.

For additional information on these and other new coins available from the Royal Canadian Mint, please visit the new releases section of their website.

Monday 13 October 2014

Latest RCM $20 for $20 Silver Coin Features Snowman!

The Royal Canadian Mint has started accepting orders for the latest release within their “$20 for $20″ silver coin program, which offers a 99.99% pure silver coin for its legal tender face value of $20.

Canadian Snowman $20 Silver Coin

The reverse design for the new coin features a fanciful interpretation of a snowman. He is pictured within a snowdrift wearing a winter scarf and hat completed with a carrot nose and broad smiling mouth. 

His spindly arms made of sticks help him to take part in the great winter tradition of the snowball fight. The design is by Jesse Koreck. Inscriptions read “Canada 2014″, “Fine Silver Argent Pur 9999″, and the denomination of “20 Dollars”.

On the obverse of each coin is the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Susanna Blunt. Inscriptions include “Elizabeth II” and “D G Regina”.

Each coin is struck in 99.99% pure silver and carries a specimen quality finish. The weight is 7.96 grams and the diameter is 27 mm with a serrated edge. 

A maximum mintage of 200,000 coins has been established with an ordering limit of three coins per household. The coins are priced at their legal tender face value of $20 each with free ground shipping.

Monday 6 October 2014

Silver & Gold Searches Spark Discoveries!

FLORENCE – Brad Karoleff, the 2013 recipient of the American Numismatic Association Harry J. Forman Dealer of the Year Award, shared the history of the search for silver coins starting with Columbus sailing for the west in 1492.

Numismatic expert Brad Karoleff shares coin lore with Florence Rotary Club

Karoleff, partner with Coins Plus in Florence, spoke during the Sept. 15 luncheon meeting of the Florence Rotary Club.

Twenty years after Columbus, Cortez conquered the Aztecs by partnering with the Mexicans who were subservient to the Aztecs. The Mexicans rebelled with Cortez and took Mexico City which housed great palaces and pyramids.

The next explorer, Frances Pizarro, headed south to meet with the Incas in Peru which coincidentally was at a time when the country was in upheaval after the conclusion of a civil war. 

He conquered the Incas and took the gold for his country. In the meantime, he gives his brothers a reward land, one of which contained the mountain of Potosi which is one of the richest silver mines in the world.

The sailors headed north with their gold, passing through Panama and start heading back to Spain. The Plate Fleet head around the Florida, run into a hurricane and 12 of 13 ships sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Many other ships were successful in heading back, but English state-sponsored pirates intercepted a number of the Spanish ships. Nelson was one of these pirates who intercepted one of the largest ships in the East Indies. When he returned to England, he was given the title of Lord Admiral Nelson.

Many of these coins have been recovered and Karoleff had a few of them on display for the Rotarians to examine.

Friday 3 October 2014

25th Anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency!

The year 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA)—the organization that oversees Canada’s leading-edge space program and fuels the nation’s space industry. 

 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin - 25th Anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency

The Royal Canadian Mint proudly celebrates this milestone with a unique fine silver coin featuring an achromatic hologram that brings the CSA’s work to life.

Only the second achromatic hologram coin produced by us! This new style of hologram creates a 3-dimensional illusion for you. Don’t be disappointed, hurry and order yours today!

Special features: 
•  Celebrate the founding of the organization that leads Canada’s space program!

•  Your coin is only the second achromatic hologram coin produced by the RCM! This new style of hologram creates a 3-dimensional illusion for the viewer.
 
•  Struck on 99.99% pure silver, your coin is special commemorative coin features on its reverse a  full-colour achromatic hologram that presents a Canadian astronaut floating high above the distant Earth. 

It's anchored to a foot restraint on Canadarm2, one of the CSA’s landmark technological developments, installed on the International Space Station. The hologram lends exciting depth and movement to the design.
 
•  Your coin is GST/HST exempt with a limited worldwide mintage.

Design:
Your coin features an achromatic hologram image of a Canadian astronaut floating weightlessly above the Earth. 

The astronaut is anchored to a foot restraint on Canadarm2, which bears the Canada Wordmark. In the distance we see the cloud-mottled blue surface of Earth, backed by the black depths of space. 

The hologram lends depth and movement to the design; the astronaut seems to float above the Earth.

Packaging:
Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with graphic beauty box.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

The Canadian Mint's Answer To The American Eagle!

Two years after the Silver American Eagle coin was issued in 1986, the Royal Canadian Mint issued their own version of a silver bullion coin that offered a higher purity. 

 1oz Silver Maple Leaf

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is the official bullion coin of Canada and boasts a .9999 fine silver purity prized by collectors and investors alike.

Like its gold counterpart, the Silver Maple Leaf has a simple yet elegant design of a sharp looking five pointed maple leaf on the obverse and the familiar face of Queen Elizabeth II on the reverse.

The white glow of the higher silver content makes this coin shine brilliantly under any lighting and emphasizes the fine detailing on the maple leaves.

A fun fact is that different dates, most notably 1996 and 1997, have value that far exceeds their bullion price due to very limited mintage those years. 

To combat counterfeiting, new savvy security features were added to the 2014 design including complex radial lines and a micro-engraved laser mark. 

The Silver Maple Leaf makes a great alternative to the Silver American Eagle if you are looking to save a little money in premiums but still want a very pure silver bullion coin.

Silver Maple Leaf coins are available individually, in tubes of 25, or boxes of 500. We give discounts based on quantity.