Posts Tagged ‘commemorative’

The second redesigned Lincoln 1c coin from the United States for 2009 is being released today, May 14 2009, by the U.S. Mint. The second coin in a series of four circulating commemoratives celebrating the live of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, scheduled for release this year represents Lincoln’s “formative years” spent largely in Indiana.

The coin has been dubbed as the “Rail Splitter penny” by the collecting community at large due to it’s design that depicts a young Lincoln reading a book while taking a break from working as a rail splitter in Indiana.

In the Fall of 1816 a young Lincoln(now 7 years old) moved from his native Kentucky to Perry County, Indiana along with his parents, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. Although the demands of frontier life left little time for formal education, of which Lincoln only ever gained about 18 month worth, his parents instilled in him a love for books and reading which Abraham embraced to educated himself through reading such works as “Life of Washington,” “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,” “Robinson Crusoe and The Arabian Nights” all by the age of 11. It is said that he could often be seen carrying a book along with his axe.

In 1830 the Lincoln family relocated to Illinois, first to in Macon County and a year later to Coles County. It is here that Abraham, now 22 struck out on his own. He was a impressive figure at 6′ 4″ (app. 1.93 m) and soon garnered a reputation as a skilled local wrestler as well as being very handy with an axe.

The new coin is set to be officially released at a launch ceremony at Lincoln Amphitheatre situated at the Lincoln State Park within Lincoln City, Indiana after which bills may be exchanged for rolls of the coin at a special coin exchange. The coins will also be available at selected U.S. Mint centers in Washington D.C and (according to some sources)New York City throughout the day. A Minimum of two rolls will be made available per person and a reported maximum of 12 rolls could be obtained per person. This limit was instituted following the overwhelming response that was received for the first coin in the series.  The coins are also being made available for purchase through the U.S. Mint website.

The coins are available in a two roll set comprising of two 50 coin rolls, one each from the Denver and Philadelphia minting facilities. The set is priced at $8.95 and are presented in a special U.S. Mint wrapper depicting the coin. Sales via the website will be strictly limited to 5 sets per household and are handled in a first-come first-serve basis. Sales open at 12 noon(E.T.) on 14 May 2009. Only a limited number of these sets will be released, and if sales of the first coin are anything to go by then it is set to sell out fairly quickly.

The coins can be viewed on the U.S. Mint’ product page

High resolution images of the coin may be viewed at the World Numismatic News Media Library

The Central bank of the Russian Federation has released four new silver commemorative coins this month. A 25 Ruble coin in the series entitled Architectural Monuments of Russia. As well as three new coins continuing the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation series.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation series is continued this year under the Air Force theme. Three coins are being released under this theme this year, all denominated as 1 Ruble coins struck from .925 fine silver and measuring 25 mm in diameter. The mintages will be strictly limited to 5000(five thousand) pieces per design. The coins feature a raised and rifled edge.

The first in the series has a reverse deign depicting the Emblem of the Air Force of the Russian Federation at it’s centre, with the inscription “ВОЕННО-ВОЗДУШНЫЕ СИЛЫ” (Air Force)along the top rim.

The second coin has a modern fighter jet as it’s design, along with the inscription of “ВОЕННО-ВОЗДУШНЫЕ СИЛЫ” (Air Force)along the top rim.

The third and last in the Air Force of the Russian Federation coins has the image of the famous airplane the “Il’ya Muromets”. The Il’ya Muromets (Russian: Илья Муромец) was a Russian aircraft created in 1912, based on the Bolshoi Baltiski. She was Russia’s and the world’s first four-engine strategic bomber and was used to form the first dedicated strategic bombing unit. The aircraft was named after Ilya Muromets, a hero from Russian mythology. As with the others this coin too has the inscription of “ВОЕННО-ВОЗДУШНЫЕ СИЛЫ” (Air Force)along the top rim.

All the 1 Ruble coins have a shared obverse design of the Emblem of the Bank of Russia  - the renowned two-headed eagle with wings spread and the semicircular inscription underneath of : “БАНК РОССИИ” (BANK OF RUSSIA).This emblem is flanked at the top by the words “ОДИН РУБЛЬ” (ONE RUBLE), and bu the date “2009″ at the bottom. The date is flanked on both sides by the mint mark of the Moscow Mint along with indicators of the  precious metal content and fineness.

The fourth commemorative coin to be released is from the series honoring Architectural Monuments of Russia and depicts the Manor and State Museum at “Arkhangelskoye”. Arkhangelskoye (Арха́нгельское) is a historical landmark from the 18th-19th centuries located around 20 kilometers from Moscow. The property was nationalized by the Bolsheviks after the revolution in 1917. Today Arkhangelskoye is a state museum and popular tourist destination.

The 25 Ruble coin is struck from .925 fine silver with a raised edge and rifled rim. It shares the same obverse design as the Air Force coins, with exception for the denomination and silver content inscriptions.

The reverse of this rather stunning coin depicts several of the architechtural highlights and monuments that can be found on the Arkhangelskoye estate. The top legend reads”УСАДЬБА “АРХАНГЕЛЬСКОЕ” (The Manor at ARKHANGELSKOYE), with the sunken relief inscription of “XVIII-XIX вв.” (the XVIIIth-XIXth centuries) at the bottom.

These are all issued as legal tender commemorative coins.

For higher resolution images of these coins please visit the World Numismatic News Media Library

All images were provided curtasy of the The Central bank of the Russian Federation

The The Perth Mint has issued the first Australian ANZAC $1 coin from a new annual program honouring all men and women who have served their country since the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.

The 2009 design symbolizes the importance of remembering the sacrifices of Australian diggers and the preservation of their memories by each succeeding generation with a depiction of a former serviceman and a young child. The coin also shows the image of a silhouetted bugler, the words ‘Lest We Forget’ and the date of ANZAC Day – April25 – on which the lives of all Australians lost in war time are remembered.

The coin’s obverse portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II. Along with the words “Elizabeth II * Australia 2009 * 1 Dollar”

Perth Mint Chief Executive Officer Ed Harbuz said that there was significant interest in previous coins commemorating Australia’s servicemen and women. Major Perth Mint releases in recent years include the limited Australians at War Coin & Medallion Tribute Set, the 90th Anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Series, and the Australian SAS 50th anniversary silver coin.

“Like our previous releases, the 2009 ANZAC $1 coin expresses the extraordinary pride that Australians have in their defence forces,” Mr Harbuz said. “With an unrestricted mintage, the new coin provides as many people as possible with the opportunity to acquire an official Australian numismatic tribute.”

This coin is the first in a new annual series that will continue with a new design released each year for the ANZAC day celebrations. The first release is housed in an illustrated presentation card featuring a fold-out stand for upright display. The card depicts a proud young Australian honouring the service of a relative by wearing his medals on the right breast.

The coin bears the ‘P’ mintmark and is a legal tender issue one dollar coin. The coin is weighted at 13.8 grams measures 30.2 mm and is 3.1 mm thick.

For better sesolution Images of this coin go to the WNN media library

All images provided courtesy of the The Perth Mint, Australia

The Royal Australian Mint has released a new coin series titled Australia Remembers ahead of ANZAC Day which pays tribute to past and present Australians who played important roles during times of war, conflict and peacekeeping.

“It is fitting to release this new series today as the nation takes the time to reflect on and commemorate the enormous sacrifices made by our diggers and those people who have served and died for Australia,” said Graham Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint.

The first coin released in the Australia Remembers series honors past and present Australian Service nurses.

“This series will acknowledge and recognise the efforts made by everyday Australians during times of war, conflict and peacekeeping. Along with our servicemen and women who played such an important role, so too did many other Australians, whether on our soil or abroad, such as Australian Service nurses. Since the time of the Boer War, service nurses have contributed by caring for the sick and wounded in every conflict to which Australia has committed troops,” said Mr Smith.

Packaging for the Commemorative 20c Coin

“In releasing this series, Australians have the opportunity to give a gift or collect a keepsake which recognizes the efforts and participation made by everyday Australians who played important roles in shaping our country’s history and contributing to its protection and development,” said Mr Smith.

The 20c coin depicts a service nurse comforting a wounded ‘Aussie Digger’ in her care whilst upholding the highest traditions of the nursing fraternity. This is a copro-nickel coin measuring 28.52mm, weighing in at 11.30 grams with a face value of 20c.

Higher resolution images of the coin may be viewed at the World Numismatic News media library

All Images are courtesy of the Royal Australian Mint.

The newest coin in the Polar Series has been released by the Royal Australian Mint. The holographic coin was developed with the Royal Society of Victoria, and commemorates Australia’s involvement in the Antarctic region

The $5 silver proof hologram coin shows a silhouette of a sailing ship surrounded by the amazing colours of the Aurora Australis. The colour of the hologram changes to represent this celestial phenomenon. Depending on the angle of the coin, you will experience an array of vibrant colours which illustrate charged particles streaming from the sun towards the South Pole.

The location details of several key scientific base camps, the Antarctic Skua in flight and the first Australians to reach the South Magnetic Pole from the Ernest Shackleton expedition have all been included in the design details. Intricate laser frosting revealing concentric patterns on the land mass map.

The coin is minted from 99.9 pure silver, measures 38.74mm and has a mintage limit of only 12 500 coins.

* - information and images courtasy of the Royal Australin Mint.

Thursday February the 12th marks the 200 th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. To mark the occasion the U.S. Mint is releasing a special commemorative silver dollar coin.

The coin was designed as part of the Lincoln bi-centennial celebrations, and a portion of the revenues raised from the sales of these coins are to be paid to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to “further its work in planning the celebration of Lincoln’s bicentennial and the continued study of his life.”

The obverse features the bust of president Lincoln the design of which was inspired by the Daniel Chester French sculpture of the President that sits inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. along with the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust” with the date 2009. The reverse bears the last 43 words of Lincolns most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, contained in a within a laurel wreath:

“WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN - THAT THIS NATION, UNDER GOD, SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM - AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH. “

A banner below the inscription contains Lincoln’s signature flanked by the words “ONE DOLLAR” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. The words “United States of America” round off the design. It appears the coin will have a milled edge.

Mintage figures have been set at a total of 500 000 across all grades, although 50 000 proof coins will be held in reserve to compile a special collectors set containing the Proof Silver dollar as well as all four pennies(1c) coins to be released later this year. In order to assure that the coin can remain available for everyone a household limit of 100 coins has been placed on all orders. A special introductory period will run until 5:00 pm (ET) on 16th of March 2009 where the coin will be on offer at a reduced price. The prices are thus as follows :

The 2009 Abraham Lincoln commemorative Silver Dollar coin will go on sale from February 12, 2009 at 12:00 noon (ET).  The product page for the U.S. Mint’s website can be found here for the Proof version :

http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14732&langId=-1

and for the Uncirculated coin here :

http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14733&langId=-1

Interestingly the first of the Lincoln penny coins, the Log Cabin design, was due to be released into circulation on the same day however little has been mentioned of them yet. The U.S. Mint will be launching the new cent at a function at Hodgenville, Kentucky on the 12th of this month but other than that little is known about the planned release of this anticipated coin.

For more images of the 2009 Lincoln coins go to the WNN Image library

The Royal Mint, London, has made available a special commemorative coin set comprising of all the special issue design coins of 2009.

The 2009 Family Silver Collection contains all six UK silver Proof coins struck specially for 2009. The coins comprising the set are the magnificent 1 ounce silver Britannia £2 coin, a crown celebrating the 500th anniversary of the accession of King Henry VIII, two bi-metallic £2 coins celebrating the births of Charles Darwin and Robert Burns, a 50 pence coin marking the anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the new distinctive £1 coin featuring the Royal Shield of Arms. For a more complete description of the individual coins see our article on the 2009 UK coinage(published 2009/01/09).

Unlike the circulation or normal proof versions of the two bi-metallics 2 pounds,  the new 1 Pound and 50 pence coins which are stuck from non precious metals, all the coins contained in the 2009 UK Family Silver Proof Collection are struck from .925 silver. The coins are all minted to a high proof finish.

A total of only 1 500 sets will be made available. The coins are presented in a stylish black case with a numbered certificate of authenticity and an informative booklet. The set is priced at £195.00

For more Images of the 2009 British Commemorative Coins go to the WNN Image Library.

While the U.S. Mint is gearing up for the release of the National Parks Quarters program as from next year the Swiss mint has been at it now for three years already. This year marks the release of the Red Deer, the third coin in the commemorative series which the Federal Swiss Mint dedicates to the Swiss National Parks. The artist and scientific illustrator Niklaus Heeb from Rodersdorf (Canton of Solothurn) designed the coin.

The coin retains the same reverse design as previous years with only the date of issue being updated to 2009. The obverse shows a belling Red Deer with the legend “Schweizerisher Nationalpark” translated as Swiss National Parks. The bi-metallic coin has a face value of 10 Franc, measures 33 mm and is a circulating commemorative.

Other coins in this series already released include the Ibex and the Golden Eagle. Images of these can be viewed in the WNN Image Library.

The second coin to be released celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Museum of Transport. This silver 20 Franc coin measures 33 mm and is composed of 20 grams of 0.835 silver.  The reverse design is that of a typical Swiss 20 Franc coin with the obverse has eight forms of transportation along a Archimedes’ Spiral arranged from a motorcycle to a rocket, with the legend “Swiss Museum of Transport 1959 - 2009″. According to the Swiss Mint the motif coveys “a sense of dynamism while permitting the viewer to follow the development of mobility.”

Both coins will be produced in Uncirculated and Proof versions. The 10 Franc forms part of the circulating currency set. The two coins were officially released by the Federal Swiss Mint on the 16th of January 2009.

The new 2009 series of British coins are available from the Royal Mint, London. What makes this years’ proof set interesting is the fact that there are no less than four commemorative designs in addition to standard coinage. The very innovative design of the 1 penny through to 50 pence collectively depicting the royal shield of arms is again used, with the 1 Pound coin again depicts the heraldic shield of the Royal Arms as designed by Matthew Dent. Only the third iteration of this theme to appear on the 1 Pound coin since it’s introduction in 1983. Struck in a nickel brass alloy the coin will also be released on it’s own in a brilliant uncirculated strike housed in a illustrative folder, 15 000 will be released in this format.

The special commemorative coins all celebrate special events and personalities in British history. In addition to the standard two pound issue there are also two bi-metallic two Pound coins to commemorate Charles Darwin and Robert burns. A crown sized cupro-nickel vife pound coin for King Henry VIII, and finally a cupro-nickel heptagonal 50 pence coin to commemorate the founding of the  Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

Charles Darwin

This commemorative £2 coin for 2009 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. The reverse of the coin, designed by Suzie Zamit, features a profile portrait of Charles Darwin and a chimpanzee together with the denomination TWO POUNDS, the year dates 1809 and 2009 and DARWIN.The special edge inscription is “ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 1859″.

Robert Burns

One of Scotland’s favourite sons, Robert Burns is one of the great literary figures in British history. On the 250th anniversary of his birth, a £2 coin celebrates his life and work. The commemorative reverse features an extract from Auld Lang Syne, probably Burns’ most famous work. The edge inscription also reads “SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT”

Henry VIII

In 1509 Henry VIII acceded to the throne of England. To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the accession of one of the most famous of kings the Royal Mint has produced a £5 crown coin featuring a classic standing portrait of the Tudor monarch.

Kew Gardens

This commemorative 50p coin celebrates the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. It features the Chinese Pagoda surrounded by the dates 1759 and 2009. UNESCO awarded the Kew Gardens with World Heritage status in 2003.

For more photos of the Royal Mint 2009 series of coins visit the WNN Media Library

The South African Mint is to release a Nelson Mandela Commemorative Coin set, following the release of the country’s second circulation coin honoring the county’s first democratically elected president, earlier last year(2008).

The Nelson Mandela Commemorative R5 Coin Set consists of a proof-like R5(5 Rand) coin(year 2000) and a laser-finished bi-metallic R5(Year 2008). The coins are encapsulated and housed in a leatherette box with a certificate of authenticity. The mintage for the set is limited to 14 000(fourteen thousand).

Mandela 90th Birthday Coin Reverse

Sets are due to be made available for sale at the beginning of February 2009 from the South African Mint.

* - Images curtasy of the S.A. Mint Company