Weekly World Numismatic News for March 21, 2021

Mar 21, 2021 | auction, coins, COTY, news

Some noticed that I did not post a Weekly World Numismatic News last week. It is nice to see that so many readers are paying attention. This week, I will combine the news of the last two weeks with some highlights.

We Know Who Owns the ’33 Double Eagle

The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is arguably the world’s most famous coin. The only coin of its type legal to own sold for $7,590,020 in a Sotheby/Stack’s auction to an anonymous buyer in 2002. We learned that the owner is shoe designer Stuart Weitzman and will be selling the coin along with two extremely rare stamps at an exclusive auction. The auction will include a rare plate block of the famous Inverted Jenny stamp, the holy grail for stamp collectors. Sotheby’s is estimating the coin’s value at $10-15 million. I predict it will sell for over $12 million.

British Coin Sells for £1 Million

A rare gold coin with the portrait of King Edward VIII sold for £1 million. King Edward VIII was the shortest-serving monarch of the 20th century. He abdicated the throne 11 months after his coronation to marry a twice-divorced American woman. At the time, the British people felt that the divorces and her ex-husbands were living as an insult to the Church of England. Rather than fight the church, Edward gave up the throne. During his reign, the Royal Mint struck only three £5 gold coins and never circulated. The sale makes this coin the most expensive British coin.

A Britannia of Color

Britannia, the female allegorical symbol of Britain, is depicted on bullion coins as a woman of color. Early in U.S. coin history, Liberty has appeared in ways similar to Britannia. See the image on the Seated Liberty Dollar for an example. Following the United States’ use of a woman of color to represent Liberty, the Royal Mint mint designers produce their own. The new designs are being lauded in the cynical British press for their art and its symbolism. The Royal Mint notes that Anglo-Saxons do not dominate British territories and members of the Commonwealth Realm. It is important to understand that the coin was planned and designed before the Royal Family’s recent controversies.

U.S. Wins COTY

In case you missed it, the 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing Commemorative five-ounce silver proof coin win the prestigious Coin of the Year competition. World Coin News sponsors the annual competition. Nominations, reviews, and voting are held the year following the coins’ issue. They announce the winner the following year. Aside from winning COTY, the coin won the Best Contemporary Event Coin and Best Silver Coin categories. It is one of the best designs by the U.S. Mint in recent years.

Picture Credits: Sotheby’s, Heritage Auctions, the Royal Mint, and collectSPACE.com

And now the news…

Rare £5 gold coin made for Edward VIII's reign could sell for £1m
 March 7, 2021
An exceptionally rare gold coin for King Edward VIII's short-lived reign is tipped to sell for more than £1million. The £5 coin with a bust of the controversial monarch on one side was struck but never put into circulation as he abdicated after just 11 months on the throne.  → Read more at dailymail.co.uk
Three Treasures – Collected by Stuart Weitzman
 March 11, 2021
S otheby’s New York is pleased to present Three Treasures – Collected by Stuart Weitzman, a dedicated live auction of three legendary treasures from the personal collection of the renowned fashion designer and collector.  → Read more at sothebys.com
7 rarest old coins including London Mint sovereign worth up to £25,000
 March 11, 2021
COIN collectors or people who’ve inherited old change could be sitting on a small fortune. But as the rarest coins are all from before decimalisation – the switchover to the currency system we use now – you won’t find them in your spare change.  → Read more at thesun.co.uk
Swedish Viking hoard: how the discovery of single Norman coin expands our knowledge of French history
 March 12, 2021
In the autumn of 2020, I was contacted by the field archaeology unit of the Swedish National Historical Museums, who are also known as the Archaeologists. They were excavating at a Viking-age settlement at Viggbyholm just north of Stockholm.  → Read more at theconversation.com
Question marks over rare Bermuda coin up for auction in the UK
 March 15, 2021
A rare Bermuda coin is expected to fetch thousands of dollars when it goes up for auction next month. The coin, which may have been minted as early as the 17th century, was found by a metal detectorist in Kent in the UK in 2019.  → Read more at royalgazette.com
For The First Time, The Royal Mint Issues A Coin Featuring Britannia As A Woman Of Colour
 March 17, 2021
The helmeted warrior Britannia has personified the nation, engraved on coins holding a trident and shield with the symbolic and patriotic lion by her side, for more than 2,000 years. Give or take the odd tweak, she’s remained untouched with the passing of time while society and all those around her have altered.  → Read more at vogue.co.uk
Ancient Biblical Scrolls and Rare Coins of ‘Immeasurable Worth for Mankind’ Discovered in Desert Cave
 March 17, 2021
Dozens of rare parchment fragments that are over 1,800 years old have been found in a remote cave in the Judean Desert. Israeli Antiquities Authority  → Read more at goodnewsnetwork.org
Stamp and coin auction house Mowbrays sees new hobbyists 'coming out of the woodwork' after lockdown
 March 20, 2021
Supplied John Mowbray, the owner of Mowbray Collectables, says sales at the Kapiti Coast stamp and coin auction house are up 30 per cent over 2019.  → Read more at i.stuff.co.nz
Benjamin Franklin’s Libertas Americana on DISPLAY! | Mar 15th, 2021 | Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery
 March 20, 2021
Benjamin Franklin’s Libertas Americana, one of the most sought-after American medals of all time, will be on display for one day only at Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Jeff Garrett, Senior Editor of the Guidebook of United States Coins (Redbook), will be on hand to present the medal.  → Read more at wflanews.iheart.com
Coin Collectors News
news.coinsblog.ws
♦ United States Mint Announces New Authorized Bulk Purchase Program (Mar 20, 2021)
♦ My Journey in Continental Currency (Mar 19, 2021)
♦ June 2021 Long Beach Expo is Canceled (Mar 19, 2021)
♦ PCGS Recognizes Excellence in Writing Achievements (Mar 18, 2021)
♦ The Royal Mint launches its 2021 Britannia Collection – introducing a new ‘Premium Exclusive’ range and Gold Kilo (Mar 18, 2021)
♦ PNG President comments on ANA Dealer Day (Mar 16, 2021)
♦ NEW VIDEO (Mar 15, 2021)
♦ Mr. Men Superfan gives seal of approval to The Royal Mint’s New Coin (Mar 15, 2021)
♦ Diamond Anniversary 75th-Edition RED BOOK Will Be Available in Four Formats (Mar 13, 2021)
♦ Submissions Accepted for ANA Young Numismatist Literary Awards (Mar 12, 2021)
♦ Hear “Ship of Gold” Bell Toll During Presentation By Bob Evans, March 21 (Mar 12, 2021)
♦ Newman Numismatic Portal Symposium March 19-21 (Mar 9, 2021)
♦ CDN Publishing Partners with ANA on eLearning Academy Online Education (Mar 9, 2021)
♦ ANA to Host “Dealer Day” Prior to Chicago World’s Fair of Money (Mar 9, 2021)

 

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What is with the Coin of the Year

Jan 3, 2014 | coin design, coins, commemorative, commentary, COTY

Monnaie de Paris 2012 Yves Klein commemorative was named 2014 Coin of the Year

Monnaie de Paris 2012 Yves Klein commemorative was named 2014 Coin of the Year

Last month, World Coin News announced that the 2014 Coin of the Year (COTY) would be awarded to the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) for their commemorative coin honoring the artist Yves Klein. The silver coin features the artist’s hand colored in a striking blue on the silver coin. For those who are not familiar with Klein’s work, he is credited with starting the minimalist movement following World War II including paintings called monochromes which were exhibited in the late 1950s. Klein’s blue monochrome was the last work of the series.

2011 Commemorative celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Mint's facilities with QR code

2011 Commemorative celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Mint’s facilities with QR code on reverse

This is not the first time that World Coin News has chosen a design with a gimmick for COTY. The 2013 COTY winner was 5 euro silver coin from the Royal Dutch Mint that featured a Quick Response (QR) code printed on the reverse. QR codes are squares of encoded information that can contain portable information such as messages, web addresses, and even address card information. When the QR code on the coin scanned, the decoded message pointed to a website that had a game in honor of the 100th anniversary (in 2011) of the current home of the Royal Dutch Mint. The website is still available and can be found at www.q5g.nl.

2010 Jonah In The Whale 2-New Sheqalim coin from Israel

2010 Jonah In The Whale 2-New Sheqalim coin from Israel

The 2012 COTY winner was more artistic in nature when Israel won with the 2-New Sheqalim titled “Jonah in the Whale.” Part of the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation’s Biblical Art Coin Series, the coin depicts the prophet Jonah praying inside the belly of the whale after he was swallowed while fleeing the mission he was commanded to do by the Lord almighty. Rather than rely on gimmickry, the coin is an artistic interpretation of that famous biblical story.

2009 White Rhinoceros 100 Rand gold coin from South Africa

2009 White Rhinoceros 100 Rand gold coin from South Africa

Another artistic winner was the 2011 COTY from the South Africa Mint. Their winning coin was a gold, 1-ounce, 100 rand coin featuring the White Rhinoceros as the first coin in the South African Mint’s Natura “Safari through South Africa” series. The artistic rendering of the coin is something to really take notice and a worthy winner.

2008 Mongolia Wolverine with diamonds for eyes

2008 Mongolia Wolverine with diamonds for eyes

But the 2010 COTY was one of the first gimmicks that awarded Mongolia the award for producing a silver 500-tugrik coin that depicts a wolverine with diamond eyes. While the eyes might be a striking design element, does it rise to the level of COTY?

Three of the last five COTY winners had design elements that were not based on the sculpture of the coin but on a design gimmick. Were these the best designs or did the gimmick influence the voting?

I have asked before whether it is wrong to include other design elements on a coin, especially non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) coins. When I ask these questions, I bring out the picture of my Somalia motorcycle or muscle car coins. I also like the Canadian 2006 Breast Cancer silver commemorative coin and the special 25-cent circulating coin the Royal Canadian Mint produced. These were not overt uses of color but almost an enhancement to emphasize the pink ribbons on the coins.

2006 Breast Cancer Quarter was Canada's first colored circulating coin

2006 Breast Cancer Quarter was Canada’s first colored circulating coin

2006 Breast Cancer Silver Coin with colored pink ribbon.

2006 Breast Cancer Silver Coin with colored pink ribbon.

But is it too much of a gimmick? After the RCM produced those coins it seems that they dove in face first into producing colored coins. It also seems that the rest of the world also has been spending its time printing coins and not minting them (see the New Zealand Mint). Although I am guilty of buying into this type of design concept, there comes a time when the concept has gone too far. In television the concept is called “Jumping the Shark.”

While others are printing coins, the Royal Mint is coming up with designs that are interesting sculptures. In fact, if you go to their website and look at their offerings you will find that the Royal Mint has nice designs, interesting packaging, but no color. Although their artists take advantage of the design elements using bi-metallic coins, they are sculptured arts and not printed designs.

2014 £5 crown commemorating the 300th anniversary of the death of Queen Anne

2014 £5 crown commemorating the 300th anniversary of the death of Queen Anne

2014 £2 coin commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War I

2014 £2 coin commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War I

U.S. coin designs have had the best designs over the last few years. However, the introduction of the “enhanced uncirculated” coins with the selective frosting has opened up new ways of enhancing sculpture elements on coins. It would be interesting to see what the U.S. Mint artists can do if given the free hand to design coins and using the laser to enhance the design.

Given the recent history of the COTY competition, the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coin is almost a shoo-in for 2016 COTY honors. While the elements will be sculpted rather than printed and the curved planchet will be interesting, it is probably enough of a gimmick to sway the World Coin News confab when it meets to discuss the 2014 coin in December 2015.

As an aside, why do we have to wait a year for the COTY competition? With technology what it is today, why does it take a year to do the COTY competition? If the award is given in February, then why select the COTY in December or January? Does it really make sense for the 2014 COTY to be coins date 2012? Why not call it the 2012 COTY since the coins are dated 2012 and award them at the beginning of 2013—or in this case, the 2013 COTY being awarded in 2014?

The one year delay might have made sense when mail delivery was less reliable and information was delayed by the speed of the teletype and the printing press. In the information age where 2012 is not only yesterday’s news it is ancient history, it is time for Krause Publications and World Coin News to modernize their process and come up with something a little quicker than a one year delay.

Image Credits

  • 2012 Yves Klein commemorative courtesy of the Monnaie de Paris.
  • 2011 Royal Dutch Mint commemorative with QR code courtesy of the Royal Dutch Mint.
  • 2010 Jonah in the Whale commemorative courtesy of the Israel Coins & Medals Corp.
  • 2009 White Rhinoceros 100 Rand gold coin courtesy of Krause Publications.
  • 2008 Mongolia Wolverine coin courtesy of the Wolverine Foundation.
  • 2014 British coin images courtesy of the Royal Mint.

2012 Coin of the Year Category Winners

Dec 21, 2011 | coins, COTY, foreign

On Monday, Krause Publications announce the winners of the 2012 Coin of the Year Awards. From these winners, judges will select an overall Coin of the Year winner which will be announced February 4, 2012, at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will begin in early January with the winner also announced at the World Money Fair.

Krause reports that 95 coins issued in 2010 were nominated early in 2011 for consideration. The category winners are:

For the second year in a row, no coin from the U.S. Mint was selected for any category.

And the Coin of the Year Nominees Are…

Nov 9, 2011 | coins, COTY, foreign

Krause Publications announced the Coin of the Year (COTY) nominations for 2012. Coins nominated for the 2012 COTY Award were released in 2010. According to Krause, nominees are judged by a panel of mint and museum officials, numismatic journalists, and individual experts from around the world. Winners are selected in each category (see below) and one coin is selected as COTY.

Once the category winners are announced, an online poll will be made available on their website numismaster.com for readers to vote on their favorite. The winner will be awarded the People’s Choice award.

Awards will be presented at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany during the first weekend of February 2012.

And the nominees are…

Most Historically Significant Coin

  1. Bank of Lithuania – Battle of Gruenwald, 500 Litas, gold, KM #173
  2. Royal Canadian Mint – 400th Anniversary of Hudson Bay, 100 Dollars, gold KM #997
  3. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Cameroon, Shroud of Turin, 1000 Francs, silver, KM #38
  4. Israel Coins and Medals Corp, Old Akko, 10 New Shequalim, gold, KM #470
  5. British Royal Mint, 350th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Monarchy, 5 Pounds, silver, KM #1151a
  6. Mint of Poland acting as agent for Niue – Czar Peter the Great, One Dollar, Silver, KM #433
  7. Netherlands Mint – Max Havelaar, 5 Euro, silver, KM #294
  8. National Bank of Ukraine – 600th Anniversary of Gruenwald, 20 Hryvin, silver, KM #596
  9. National Bank of Portuagal, Torres Defense Line, 2.5 Euros, Silver, KM #800
  10. National Bank of Belarus, Battle of Gruenwald, 50 Roubles, Silver, KM #270

Best Contemporary Event Coin

  1. National Bank of Cyprus – 50th Anniversary of the Republic, 5 Euro, silver, KM #94
  2. Monnaie de Paris – Georges Pompidou Center, 10 Euro, silver, KM #1066
  3. Mint of Poland – 65th Anniversary of Auschwitz Libertion, 10 Zlotych, Silver, Y #713
  4. German Federal Ministry of Finance – Unity, 10 Euro, Silver, KM #290
  5. South African Mint – World Cup, 1 Rand, gold, KM #508
  6. Hungarian Mint – The Ballpoint Pen, 1000 Forint, copper nickel square, KM #818
  7. National Bank of Morocco – 35th Anniversary of Green March, 250 Dirhams, Y #132
  8. China Gold Coin Corp – 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, 10 Yuan, silver, KM #1953
  9. Royal Canadian Mint, 75TH Anniversary of Canadian Banknotes, 500 Dollars, gold, KM #1007
  10. Bank of Latvia – 20th Anniversary of Modern Republic, 1 Lats, silver, KM #113

Best Gold Coin

  1. Perth Mint – Kangaroos fighting, 100 Dollars, gold, KM #1365
  2. Denmark National Bank – 70th Birthday of Queen Margaret, 1000 Kroner, gold, KM #939
  3. Israel Coins and Medals Corp. Tower of David Near the Jaffa Gate, 20 New Shequalim, gold, KM #467
  4. Mint of Finland – 150th Anniversary of Autonomy, 100 Euro, gold, KM #150
  5. British Royal Mint – London Olympics, 100 pounds, gold, KM #1162
  6. China Gold Coin Corp – Year of the Tiger, 5 ounce, 2000 Yuan, KM #1914
  7. National Bank of Argentina –World Cup, 10 Pesos, gold, KM #163
  8. National Bank of Ukraine – Panticapeum Ruins, 100 Hyrvin, gold, KM #597
  9. Italian State Mint –Arts of Europe – Sweden, 20 Euro, gold, KM #335
  10. Royal Canadian Mint – Prairie Crocus, 350 Dollars, gold, KM #1019

Best Silver

  1. National Bank of the Republic of Belarus – Battle of Gruenwald, 20 Rubles, silver, KM #239,
  2. National Bank of Russia –Saint George, 3 Roubles, Y #1214
  3. National Bank of Hungary – Orseg National Park, 5000 Forint, silver, KM #820
  4. Czech National Bank – Marriage of John of Luxembourg, 200 Korun, silver, KM #115
  5. National Bank of Lithuania –Brazai Castle, 50 Litu, silver, KM #170
  6. German Federal Ministry of Finance – Konrad Zuse, 10 Euro, silver KM #289
  7. Japan Mint – Aomori Prefecture100 yen, silver, Y #168
  8. Austrian Mint –Erzberg in Styria, 10 Euro, silver, KM #3185
  9. Italian State Mint – Giorgione 500th Anniversary of Death, 10 Euro, silver, KM #333,
  10. New Zealand Mint acting as agent for the country of Niue – Antilocapra Americana, One Dollar, silver, KM #234

Best Crown

  1. National Bank of Ukraine – Pottery, 10 Hryven, silver, KM #605
  2. New Zealand Mint acting as agent for the country of Niue – Sitting Bull, One Dollar, Silver, KM #394
  3. Perth Mint –Koala Coin, One Dollar, Silver, KM #1464
  4. Andorra Mint – Brown Bear, 5 Diners, Silver, KM #315
  5. Monnaie de Paris– Mother Teresa, 10 Euro, silver, KM #1695
  6. Kazakhstan Mint –Deer Buckle, 500 Tenge, silver, KM #179
  7. United States Mint – Boy Scouts, One Dollar, silver, KM #480
  8. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Samoa – Flying Fox, 10 Dollars, silver, KM #173
  9. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Togo – Sunbird, 1000 Francs, silver, KM #48
  10. China Gold Coin Corp. – Year of the Tiger, 50 yuan, silver, KM #1921

Best Trade

  1. Mint of Poland –August of 1980 Solidarity, 2 Zloty, Brass, Y#737
  2. United States Mint – Native American Dollar, One Dollar, Copper-nickel, KM #474
  3. National Bank of Argentina –Silver Sea, One Peso, Copper Nickel, KM #158
  4. National Bank of Denmark –Greenland Kayaking, 20 Kroner, Aluminum-bronze, KM #940
  5. Japan Mint – Gifu Prefecture, 500 Yen, Bimetallic, Gifu Prefecture
  6. Lithuanian Mint – Battle of Grunwald 600th Anniversary, 1 Litas, Copper-nickel, KM #172
  7. National Bank of India –Mother Teresa, 5 Rupees, Stainless Steel, KM #381
  8. National Bank of Venezuela – 200th Anniversary of Independence, 25 Centimos, Nickel-plated steel, Y #99
  9. National Bank of the Republic of San Marino – 500th Anniversary Death of Botticeli, 2 Euro, Bimetallic, KM #494
  10. Royal Australian Mint –Sheep Industry, 20 Cents, Copper-nickel, KM #1502

Most Popular

  1. Perth Mint – 50 Cents, silver, Kangaroo Bush Babies, KM #1456,
  2. United States Mint –Hot Springs National Park, 25 Cents, Copper nickel, KM #469
  3. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Benin – Marijuana Coin, 100 CFA Francs, Copper-Nickel Silver plated, KM #53
  4. Royal Canadian Mint – Poppy Coin, 25 Cents, Nickel finish on Steel, KM #1028
  5. Austrian Mint – Philharmonic, 1.5 Euro, One Ounce, Silver, KM #3159
  6. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Tuvalu – Brown Snake, One Dollar, Silver, KM #134
  7. Mint of Sweden – Wedding of Princess Victoria, 300 Kronor, Silver, KM #917
  8. Royal Mint – London Olympics, 5 Pounds, Sterling Silver, KM #1139a
  9. Perth Mint – Discover Australia Koala, 15 Dollars, Silver, KM #1405,
  10. Banco de Mexico – Morelos, 5 pesos, bimetallic, KM #923

Most Artistic

  1. Israel Coins and Medals Corp. – Jonah and the Whale, 10 New Shequalim, Silver, KM #477,
  2. Perth Mint – Sydney Cove Medallion, One Dollar, Silver, KM #1568
  3. Fiji – H.C. Andersen’s The Nightingale, One Dollar, Silver, KM #127
  4. Kazakhstan Mint – Pelicans, 500 Tenge, Silver, KM #177
  5. Italian State Mint – Aquileia, 10 Euro, Silver, KM #334
  6. Bank of Latvia – Amber Eye, 1 Lats, Silver, KM #109
  7. Royal Canadian Mint – Polar Bear, 3 Dollars, Silver gilt square, KM #1051
  8. China Gold Coin Corp – Chinese Grotto Art, 300 Yuan, Silver, KM #1950
  9. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Palau – Tiffany Art Rococo, 10 Dollars, Silver, KM #252,
  10. Czech Mint – Alphonse Mucha, 200 Korun, Sterling silver, KM #114

Most Innovative

  1. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Cook Islands – Obama/King, 5 Dollars, Silver, KM #729 &730
  2. Royal Canadian Mint – Year of the Tiger Hologram 150 Dollars, Silver, KM #979
  3. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Niue – Seven Pointed Christmas Star, One Dollar, Silver, KM #422
  4. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Palau – Dealer Button Insert with Playing Cards, One Dollar, Silver, KM #307
  5. Coin Invest Trust acting as agent for the country of Ivory Coast – Qibia Compass, 1500 Francs, Silver, KM #7
  6. Japan Mint – Sakamoto, 1000 Yen, Silver, Y #160, First Effigy of a Real Person
  7. Perth Mint acting as agent for the country of Tuvalu – Gustav Mahler, One Dollar, silver, KM #124, Depicts Musical Score

Most Inspirational

  1. Royal Australian Mint –Fred Hallows Inspirational Australians – Healthcare, One Dollar, Aluminum Bronze, KM #1496,
  2. New Zealand Mint acting as agent for the country of Cook Islands – Windows of Heaven, 10 Dollars, Sterling Silver, KM #1258
  3. Mint of Poland – 30th Anniversary of Solidarity, 10 Zloty, Silver, KM #738
  4. Austrian Mint – Barron Clemons Von Pirquet Children’s Clinic, 50 Euro, Gold, KM #3194
  5. Royal Mint – London Olympics 2012 – Olympic Strength, 5 Pounds, Silver, KM #1155
  6. Royal Canadian Mint – Remembrance Day Poppy, One Dollar, Silver, KM #1050
  7. Andorra Mint –Gabriel and Mary Christmas Coin, 25 Diners, Gold, KM #288
  8. Mint of Finland – Children and Creativity, 20 Euro, Silver, KM #1532

Krause Pubs COTY Announcement

Oct 13, 2010 | coins, COTY, foreign

Krause Publications has announced the nominations for the 2011 Coin of the Year awards. COTY awards are made in 10 categories and the overall winner announced from the winners of each category. Krause also holds a People’s Choice poll on numismaster.com. Voting for the People’s Choice will begin later this year.

Winners will be announced in January 2011 at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany.

The following are the nominees as published by Krause. One coin from each group was selected to represent the group. My coin selection does not mean I endorse the coin for that class. My choice was a matter of what looked interesting and the images I could find on the Internet.

Most Historically Significant Coin

  1. Turkish State Mint – 50 Lira, Silver, Mecca Grand Mosque Coin, KM# 1257
  2. Kazakhstan Mint – 100 Tenge, Silver, Attila the Hun, KM# 125
  3. British Royal Mint – 5 Pounds, Silver, 500th Anniversary of Henry the Eighth
  4. Italian State Mint – 5 Euro, Silver, 300th Anniversary of the Discovery of Herculaneum KM# 315
  5. German Federal Ministry of Finance – 10 Euro, Silver, 400th Anniversary of the Birth of Johannes Kepler, KM# 280
  6. Netherlands – 5 Euro, Silver, 400th Anniversary of the Island of Manhattan, KM# 282
  7. Austrian Mint – 10 Euro, Silver, Richard the Lionheart, KM# 3180
  8. Hungarian Mint – 500 Forint, Silver, John Calvin, KM# 827
  9. Falkland Islands (Pobjoy Mint) – 1 Crown, Silver, Charles Darwin
  10. Romania – 10 Lei, Silver, Tropaeum Traiani, KM # 257

Best Contemporary Event Coin

  1. German Federal Ministry of Finance – 10 Euro, Silver, Centennial of Aviation, KM# 281
  2. British Antarctic Territory (Pobjoy Mint) – 2 Pounds, Silver, 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty
  3. China Great Wall – 10 Yuan, Silver, Beijing Coin Fair
  4. Austrian Mint – 25 Euro, Silver ring Niobium center, International Year of Astronomy, KM#3174
  5. Royal Australian Mint – 50 Cents, Moon Landing, KM# 1432
  6. Tuvalu (Perth Mint) – One Dollar, Silver, 50th Anniversary of Barbie Doll, KM#80
  7. Monnaie de Paris – 10 Euro, Silver, Fall of the Berlin Wall, KM # 1591
  8. Czech Mint – 200 Korun, Silver, North Pole Exploration, KM # 107
  9. Cook Islands (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars Copper-Plated Silver, Mars Exploration, KM# 681
  10. Japan Mint – 1,000 Yen, Silver, Niigata Prefecture Coin, Y # 150

Best Gold Coin

  1. Canadian Mint – 2,500 Dollars, Modern Canada, KM# 902
  2. Japan Mint – 10,000 Yen, 20th Anniversary of the Emperor’s Enthronement, KM#158
  3. South African Mint – 100 Rand, Natura Gold Rhino Coin, KM# 474
  4. Israel Coins and Medals Corp. – 10 New Sheqalim, Sampson and the Lion, KM#465
  5. Turkish Mint – 200 Lira, Barrack Obama Visit , KM# 1246
  6. Mint of Poland – 200 Zlotych, 180th Anniversary of the Central Bank, Y#677
  7. U.S. Mint – 20 Dollars, Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief, KM # 464
  8. Kazakhstan Mint – 500 Tenge, Biathalon, KM # 127
  9. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – One Dollar, Fountain of Trevi, KM # 241
  10. China Gold Coin – 2,000 Yuan, Year of the Ox, KM # 1885

Best Silver Coin

  1. Ukrainian Mint – 5 Hryven, International Year of Astronomy, KM # 557
  2. Turkish Mint – 50 Lira, Seedling With Water, KM # 1256
  3. Mint of Poland – 10 Zlotych, Hussar Knights, Y # 671
  4. Austrian Mint – 5 Euro, Tyrolean Freedom Fighters, KM # 3177
  5. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Wonders of the World, Pyramids, KM # 208
  6. Italian State Mint – 5 Euro, Centennial of Cycling, KM # 313
  7. National Bank of Macau, 20 Patakas, Year of the Ox, KM # 145
  8. Royal Canadian Mint – 20 Dollars, Crystal Snowflake, KM # 944
  9. Japan Mint – 1,000 Yen, Ibaraki Prefecture Coin
  10. Bank of Russia – 100 Rubles 300th anniversary Battle of Poltava Y#1179

Best Crown Coin

  1. Bank of Lithuania – 50 Litu, Silver, Tytuvenai Church, KM # 164
  2. Hungarian Mint – 3,000 Forint, Silver, 250th Anniversary of Birth Ferenc Kazinczy, KM # 817
  3. Cook Islands – 5 Dolla,r Silver, Anteater Coin, KM # 674
  4. Royal Canadian Mint – 15 Dollars, Silver, George VI, KM # 922
  5. Mint of Finland – 20 Euro, Silver, Peace and Security Coin, KM #
  6. Monnaie de Paris – 10 Euro, Silver, International Year of Astronomy, KM # 1621
  7. Royal Australian Mint – 5 Dollars, Silver, Antarctic Explorers
  8. Italian State Mint – 10 Euro, Silver, Marconi, KM # 317
  9. Japan Mint – 1,000 Yen, Silver, Nagano Prefecture, Y # 148

Best Trade Coin

  1. National Bank of Lithuania– 1 Litas, Copper-Nickel, Vilnius – European Capital of Culture, KM # 162
  2. Latvian Mint – 1 Lats, Copper-Nickel, Namejs Ring, KM # 101
  3. Japan Mint – 500 Yen, Nickel-Brass, 20th Anniversary of the Emperor’s Enthronement Y#157
  4. National Bank of Slovakia – 2 Euro Coin, Bimetallic, First Year of Euro Issuance, KM # 102
  5. National Bank of Sweden – One Krona, Copper-Nickel, Horizontal Waves, 200th Anniversary of Separation from Finland, KM #916
  6. Banco de Mexico – 5 Pesos, Bimetallic, KM# 912
  7. Mint of Poland – 2 Zlote, Brass, Czeslaw Niemen, Y# 684
  8. U.S. Mint – One Cent, Copper-Coated Zinc, New Lincoln Seated on Log, KM # 442
  9. British Royal Mint – 50 Pence, Copper-Nickel, Kew Botanical Gardens, KM # 1114
  10. National Bank of Panama – 50 Centesimos, Copper-Nickel, 100th Anniversary of the National Bank, KM # 139

Most Popular Coin

  1. Hungarian Mint – 200 Forint, Bimetallic, Danube Ridge KM # 826
  2. U.S. Mint – One Dollar, Copper-Zinc-Manganese-Nickel Clad, Sacagawea Dollar, KM # 467
  3. Kazakhstan Mint – 50 Tenge, Copper-Nickel, 100th Anniversary of T. Bassenov Birth
  4. Latvian Mint – 1 Lats, Silver, Pig, My Dream Coin, KM # 100
  5. Royal Australian Mint – One Dollar, Aluminum-Bronze, Steve Irwin, KM # 1429
  6. Austrian Mint – 10 Euro, Silver, Basilisk Coin, KM# 3176
  7. National Bank of India – 5 Rupees, Nickel-Brass, St. Alphonsa, KM # 365
  8. U.S. Mint – 25 Cents, Copper-Nickel Clad, Puerto Rico Quarter, KM # 446
  9. Royal Canadian Mint – 50 Cents, Silver, Lenticular, Montreal Canadiens Hockey, KM # 847

Most Artistic Coin

  1. Italian State Mint – 5 Euro, Silver, 300th Anniversary Discovery of Herculaneum Under Volcanic Ash
  2. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 10 Dollar, Silver, Tiffany Art Baroque, KM# 219
  3. Cook Islands (Coin Invest Trust) – Silver Cloisonne, The Pansy Coin, KM # 684
  4. Royal Canadian Mint – 300 Dollar, Gold, Summer Moon Mask, KM # 877
  5. China Gold Coin – 50 Yuan, Silver, Outlaws of the Marsh, KM # 198
  6. National Bank of the Republic of Belarus – 20 Rubles, Silver, Honeybees and Apple trees, KM # 203
  7. Monnaie de Paris – 10 Euro, Silver, Modern Sower, KM # 1580
  8. National Bank of Latvia – 1 Lats, Silver, Water Droplet Coin, KM # 104
  9. Austrian Mint – 20 Euro, Silver, Electric Railway, KM # 3178
  10. National Bank of Singapore, 10 Dollars, Silver, Year of the Ox, KM #297

Most Innovative Coin

  1. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Silver, Heat Sensitive Thermo Chick
  2. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 25 Francs, Acrylic, His Majesty’s Bark Endeavor
  3. British Indian Ocean Territory (Pobjoy Mint) – 2 Pounds, Silver and Crystal, Life of the Sea Turtle
  4. Monnaie de Paris – 200 Euro Colorized Gold, International Year of Astronomy Convex Coin, KM # 1624
  5. Cook Islands – 10 Dollars, Silver, Pop-up Coin, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, KM # 693
  6. Cook Islands – 5 Dollars, Silver, Star of the Magi, Star-Shaped, KM # 644
  7. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Silver, Scent of Paradise, KM # 179
  8. Cook Islands (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Silver, Fly Me to the Moon with Piece of Moon

Most Inspirational Coin

  1. Monnaie de Paris – 20 Euro, Silver, Mother Teresa and Child
  2. Royal Canadian Mint – 50 Cents, Copper-Nickel, Six-String Nation Guitar, KM#887
  3. U.S. Mint – One Dollar, Silver, Louis Braille, KM # 455
  4. Mint of Poland – 10 Zlotych silver, World War II Polish Underground, Y#708
  5. Israel Coins and Medals – 1 New Sheqel, Silver, Masada Unesco Heritage Site, KM # 453
  6. Andorra Mint – 2 Diners, Gold, Charlemagne
  7. Kazakhstan Mint, 500 Tenge, Silver, Nur Astana Mosque, KM # 139

All images are courtesy of their respective mints, central banks, and distributors. Images are used for news reporting only and are not to be considered an endorsement by or for the Coin Collector’s Blog.

People’s Choice for Coin of the Year Voting

Dec 27, 2009 | coins, COTY, foreign

Last week, Krause Publications announced that the voting is open for the 2009 People’s Choice Coin of the Year is now open (login required; free registration). Voting will take place on their numismater.com website and will run through January 10, 2010.

Voters can choose from 20 coins from around the world issued in 2008. Coins were nominated by their respective mints and selected by a panel of experts assembled by Krause Publications. This year’s nominations are:

  1. Latvia, 1 Lats silver, 90th anniversary of statehood
  2. Hungary, 5,000 Forint gold, Tokaj wine region
  3. China, 10 Yuan silver, Panda 1-ounce silver
  4. Germany, 10 Euro silver, Max Plank
  5. Perth Mint, 1 ounce silver
  6. Royal Australian Mint, 1 dollar silver, Kangaroo proof
  7. United States, 25 cents, Alaska state quarter
  8. Poland, 20 Zlotych silver, 65th anniversary of Warsaw ghetto uprising
  9. Belarus, 20 Roubles gold, house warming
  10. Canada, 25 dollars silver, Vancouver Olympics colorized bobsled
  11. Lithuania, 100 Litas gold, millennium of name of Lithuania
  12. Pobjoy Mint, 2 pounds silver, oldest reigning monarch
  13. Italy, 10 Euro silver, 500th anniversary of the birth of Andrea Palladio
  14. Austria, 5 Euro silver, 100th birthday of Herbert von Karajan
  15. Denmark, 20 Kroner gold, Sea stallion from Glendalough
  16. Japan, 500 Yen nickel-brass, centenary of the Japanese Immigration to Brazil
  17. Finland, 10 Euro silver, Flag of Finland
  18. United Kingdorm, 2 pounds gold, London Olympics centenary
  19. Israel, 10 Sheqalim gold, 60th anniversary of Independence Day
  20. South Africa, 25 Rand gold, Gandhi

Winners of the People’s Choice Awards, and other Coin of the Year winners, will be announced at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany, on January 30, 2010.

Mongolia’s Coin of the Year

Feb 20, 2009 | coins, COTY

There was a lot written on other sites about the of the Coin of the Year award going to Mongolia. The award was presented at the World Money Fair this month in Berlin.

I was curious about the coin and searched for an image. The coin is a 2007 silver 500-tugrik (33-cents US) coin depicting a wolverine. A unique feature is that the eyes are made of diamonds. Even with the limits of the online images, I can understand why David Harper, editor of World Coin News, said, “The judges had to be drawn to the eyes of the wolverine. They are quite compelling.”

This coin was also the winner of the best silver coin in this year’s competition.

While the US Mint produces some nice coins, I wish they were given the opportunity to do something different with non-circulating collectible coins. There was only one bi-metalic commemorative coin and no coins that used elements other than engraving to enhance the coins. I am not suggesting that the US Mint produces colorized coins like the Royal Canadian Mint, but the use of diamonds for eyes on the Mongolian coin was a brilliant idea. I hope the Mint learns from this for the future.

Image courtesy of the Wolverine Foundation.

UPDATE: COTY People’s Choice Award

Dec 4, 2007 | coin design, coins, COTY

Numismaster, the online web resource for Krause Publications’ numismatic publications, has posted the nominations for Coin of the Year and a link to allow readers to vote for the People’s Choice Award. The choices are 2006 designs from 15 coins representing Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Poland, Singapore, and the United States. The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Founding Father Commemorative and the Nevada quarter represent the United States.

I have not voted, but I am leaning toward the Canadian “Imagine a World Without Breast Cancer.” Aside from being a coin that I own, the artist captured the essence of the theme. It is a very inspiring image and the enameled pink ribbon in the middle of the coin helps make it a powerful statement. However, another consideration is Poland’s 20 Zloty “St. John’s Night.” The design is compelling and worth a look. I will have to find a better example to see. What an excuse to visit the local coin store!

Although there is no deadline date mentioned, the poll appears under Numismaster’s “Weekly Poll” section. So to borrow a phrase from old Chicago: Vote Early, Vote Often!

Images from Numismaster.com

You Can Vote for COTY–Hopefully Soon!

Dec 2, 2007 | coin design, coins, COTY

World Coin News, a Krause Publication and sponsor of the Coin of the Year (COTY) awards has added a new category for the “People’s Choice.” Readers and other interested parties may log into Numismaster, the Krause pricing and news portal, to vote for their choice of COTY. The People’s Choice award will be given in addition to the regular Coin of the Year award.

Voting is supposed to begin on December 1 at www.numismaster.com. However, as of Sunday, December 2, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, the links for COTY could not be found. Hopefully, voting will be available on Monday!

Last year, the 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar was been named “Coin of the Year” The COTY award presented in 2008 will a competition of designs featured in 2006.

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