Hover to zoom.

The Swiss Mint has released new gold Proof coins which celebrate one of Switzerland’s most distinguishing features: multilingualism. The coin is part of an ongoing series which focuses on special projects, associations, and prominent figures that draw attention to issues or topics that are important for Switzerland. The coin’s name itself, Varietad Linguistica, is derived from the Romansh language, officially recognised as the country’s fourth language in 1938 and spoken by the smallest number of Swiss residents. It is a tribute to paragraph five of Article 70 of the Federal Constitution guaranteeing and promoting the use of all official languages in Switzerland equally.

The coin’s design is a collaborative effort between CIT, Liechtenstein, and Swiss Mint engraver Remo Mascherini. The obverse depicts the four language regions. From left to right, French-speaking, German-speaking, Italian-speaking, and lastly Romansh-speaking regions. These four language regions are skilfully combined to form one overall view: Four languages, four regions, and one Switzerland. The coin’s design includes four words, SALUT – GRÜEZI – SALVE – ALLEGRA, which means the same word in all four languages — “Hello.” Superimposed over the four images of the represented linguistic regions are the words VARIETAD LINGUISTICA shown in stylised text. The reverse cleverly positions four square-shaped dialogue boxes — one representing each linguistic region which also forms a cross of equal proportion, this is the same cross design found on the country’s national flag and a symbol of national unification. Each of the four dialogue boxes contains citations of Article 70 of Switzerland’s Federal Constitution. In German, it is paragraph 3, which lays the foundation for the promotion of plurilingualism. In French, paragraph four is featured, which guarantees federal support to plurilingual cantons. In Italian and Romansh, the text from paragraph five guarantees federal support to the cantons of Graubünden and Ticino for the preservation and promotion of the Romansh and Italian languages. LA CONFEDERAZIONE SOSTIENE I PROVVEDIMENTI DEI CANTONI DEI GRIGIONI E DEL TICINO VOLTI A CONSERVARE E PROMUOVERE LE LINGUE ROMANCIA E ITALIANA (“The Confederation supports the measures of the Cantons of Graubünden and Ticino aimed at preserving and promoting the Romansh and Italian languages”). Encircling the primary design is the text CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA 2023 and the denomination 25 FR, which is placed below.

Available from the 30th November 2023, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please click here.

❑

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

     

Hover to zoom.

The Royal Australian Mint has released commemorative 50-cent silver proof and Brilliant Uncirculated coins which honour Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II one year after her passing. These coins celebrate the Queen’s seven decades of devotion and service, as well as the indelible mark she has left on Australian numismatics. In 1947, a young Princess Elizabeth delivered a notable speech that was broadcast around the world in celebration of her 21st birthday. In her own words, the young princess dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth:

I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

These words would prove to be truly prophetic when, five years later, the 25-year-old wife and mother would ascend to the throne as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, starting a historic reign of over 70 years — the longest of any British monarch. Historically, coins bear witness to a monarch’s reign with their royal effigies appearing on the obverse. Her Late Majesty’s seven decades of service are appropriately recorded in terms of numismatics through her six effigies which have appeared on Australian coins beginning in 1953. These exquisite portraits are the focal point of the reverse design and, with this tribute, the Royal Australian Mint commemorates the momentous Second Elizabethan Era.

The reverse of these 12-sided coins depicts all six effigies that have been featured on the obverse side of Australia’s circulation and commemorative coinage beginning in 1953, with the Queen’s first likeness designed by British sculptor Mary Gillick. This portrait was retired in 1965 when Australia adopted a decimal system of currency one year later. The second effigy of the Queen was the work of Arnold Machin, which became one of the most familiar portraits of the Queen worldwide. In 1985, the Queen’s third effigy designed by sculptor Raphael Maklouf was featured on Australian coinage and was changed over in 1999 by another widely popular effigy created by British artist Ian Rank-Broadley. In 2000, a special commemorative 50-cent coin was released by the Royal Australian Mint to mark the Queen’s royal visit and featured a new portrait created by Australian artist Vladimir Gottwald. With a changeover to what has become known as the “Commonwealth obverse” created by British engraver Jody Clark in 2019, it would be the final image of Her Majesty before the unveiling of a new effigy for her successor, King Charles III. All six effigies are shown slightly overlapped and arched with the Queen’s royal cypher placed below. Above the portraits are branches of wattle and Lilly of the Valley. The commemorative text placed above the primary design reads HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II with her years of reign placed below, 1952 – 2022. The obverse side includes the memorial version of the Commonwealth effigy, which includes the Queen’s years of reign in the legend surrounding her likeness, 1952 – 2022. The year of issue 2023 is also shown in the legend and the denomination 50 CENTS is placed below.

Available from the 23rd November, the Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel coins are encased in a coin-card format which includes illustrations and informative text. Each silver Proof coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom environment-friendly case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please click here.

❑

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

     

Hover to zoom.

The Royal Mint has brought together two icons of numismatic art, the British lion and the American eagle, on a new coin design. In collaboration with John M. Mercanti, the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint from 2006 to 2010, the reverse design skilfully brings the two coin icons together in one harmonious composition. As one of the most prolific coin designers in U.S. Mint history with more than 100 coin designs to his name, Mercanti’s remarkable work includes the reverse of the hugely popular American Eagle silver bullion coin. The Royal Mint’s Product Design team collaborated with Mr. Mercanti to craft an original coin design that will be of interest to coin enthusiasts both in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. John Mercanti has combined more than 50 years of numismatic experience with his unique creative talent to create the symbolic reverse design which commemorates the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

In heraldry, the lion represents strength, courage, and nobility. Conveying these qualities, lions featured on the coats of arms of many powerful families in medieval Europe, including on the shields and standards of British Kings and Queens. Similarly, the bald eagle has been a national symbol of the United States since the 18th century. An icon of freedom and strength, its qualities match those of the country it represents — independence, determination, and a strong will to survive. The British lion and American eagle characterise the spirit of each nation. Richly historic and instantly recognisable, together they represent common values and an enduring relationship between two countries which have traditionally stood shoulder-to-shoulder. The reverse side brings the British lion and American eagle, looking fiercely determined in the same direction with olive branches — symbolising peace through strength flanking each side of the primary design. Above and along the upper rim is the text THE LION AND THE EAGLE with the year of release, 2023, placed below.

The obverse of each coin option features the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings and introduced onto British commemorative and circulation type coins in 2022. The denomination from 2 POUNDS to 1000 POUNDS and the year of issue, 2023, also appear on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness.

The silver Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in black leatherette matte cases accompanied by numbered certificates of authenticity. The gold Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in polished gloss wood cases and accompanied by certificates of authenticity. For additional information about this new collector series, please visit the Royal Mint’s website.

❑

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

     

Hover to zoom.

The Royal Australian Mint has released the fifth and latest gold and silver one-ounce bullion investment coins which are part of their innovative and popular series entitled “Australia’s Most Dangerous.” The series, since its introduction in 2020, has focused on the continent’s most deadly and dangerous species of animals, both on land and sea, with 2024 featuring one of nature’s most deadly snakes — the tiger snake. Found predominantly in the southern region of Western Australia through to South Australia, Tasmania, including Savage River National Park up through Victoria, and New South Wales. These snakes are usually found in coastal regions, where they favour wetlands, creeks, dams, and other habitats around watercourses, or in habitats near permanent sources of water in pastoral areas. They are so named due to their colour, with markings that are banded like those on a tiger.

The reverse side of both the gold and silver coins depicts tiger snakes, coiled and slithering across a grassy path. The text TIGER SNAKE is placed just to the upper right of the depiction of the featured most dangerous creature. The coins’ specifications of 1oz .9999 GOLD or 1oz .999 SILVER are placed along the lower left rim.

The obverse includes the Commonwealth Memorial Obverse effigy designed by British engraver Jody Clark, which includes the years of reign 1952 – 2022 added to differentiate the coins minted after the Queen’s death. The denomination 100 DOLLARS (gold) or 1 DOLLAR (silver) is shown below her likeness, and the year 2024 is shown as part of the legend.

Both gold and silver coins are individually encapsulated and shrink-wrapped when purchasing bundles of 10 pieces. For additional information, please click here for the silver coins or here for the gold coins.

Animals in the imaginative series thus far have been the Redback Spider (2020) the Great White Shark (2021) the Desert Scorpion (2022) and the Box Jellyfish (2023).

❑

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

     

Hover to zoom.

The Austrian Mint has released new silver Proof and crystal coins honouring the year’s last and most festive season, and the beautiful landscapes created with the first snowfall of winter. Each snowflake is unique, one more beautiful than the next but for many in the northern hemisphere who welcome the cooler seasons at the end of the year, each one evokes the magic of winter. For many youngsters the question of, “When is the snow coming and will we have a day off from school?” is the first thing they think of when winter approaches. In terms of historical figures, the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was compelled to study the structure of snowflakes when it began to snow and while he was walking across the Charles Bridge in Prague in 1610. This particular snowfall also sparked his scientific interest and led him to write the first monograph on snow crystals. The title of the work is known as Strena Seu De Nive Sexangula (“New Year’s Gift or About the Hexagonal Shape of Snow”) and is full of exciting insights, many of which we all marvel at to this day. One specific detail he observed was that snowflakes are always hexagonal in shape and one unique from the other. A simple enough question of why this was but one that no one has been able to adequately answer over the last three hundred years. However, Kepler’s hypothesis left the field open for some pertinent questions about physics, mathematics and biology.

Designed by Anna Schlindner, the obverse side depicts the face of a snow princess in profile, she is an allegorical representation of winter wearing a crown and cloak trimmed with fur, both decorated with snow crystals. The background is partially polished in the area of ​​the crown, as well as in the lower right area of ​​the coin, where snow crystals are formed. The reverse side features a magnified, detailed snowflake positioned off-centre to the upper left with an ice-blue faceted gemstone which is embedded in the centre. Parts of the snowflake’s outline are polished and the background is subtly textured. The text 20 EURO REPUBLIK 2023 OSTERREICH is arranged over four lines.

Released in time for Christmas and available from the 8th November, the coins are encapsulated and presented in a heavy gauge card case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please click here.

❑

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!