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Happy Federal Territory Day

Tommorow, my friend in Kuala lumpur will be celebrate Federal territory day, happy holiday to them. The Federal Territory (Malay: Wilayah Persekutuan) is a collective of three territories, namely Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, governed directly by the federal government of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the Malaysian capital, while Putrajaya is Malaysia's administrative capital. All the territories fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Federal Territories, which was formed under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration on March 27, 2006.
Kuala Lumpur later achieved city status in 1972, becoming the first settlement in Malaysia to be granted the status after independence. A coin had been produced by Bank Negara Malaysia in 1972 to commemorate the city status. 500,000pcs $1 copper nickel and 500pcs $1 copper nickel proof were minted. This coin obverse show a $1 sign with the year 1972 and the word "penganugerahan taraf bandaraya" (English:award of city status). The coin reverse show the seal of Kuala lumpur and the motto "Maju dan Makmur" (English: Progress and Prosper). The coin weight at 16.50g and have 33.30mm in diameter.

Seal of Kuala Lumpur

The design of the emblem symbolizes the three main features of Kuala Lumpur, namely as:
  • The Center of Government and administration
  • The Center of Commerce
  • The Center of Culture and Learning

SYMBOL
  • Abstract design of the Ringgit sign represents commerce.
  • Star crescent of the Malaysia national flag to represent the seat of Government.
  • Structure of an atom over an open book represents culture and learning.

These symbolic elements are contained in the three hexagonal cellular forms at the extremities of the interlocking involute spirals. The cellular forms symbolize the presence of man-made things making environment which are inseparable from the elements of nature as depicted by the involute spirals.

THE COLOR
  • The blue resembles the colors of the Malaysian flag
  • The yellow in the segment for commerce
  • The green in the segment for culture and learning signify growth and life, appropriate with our growing and dynamic culture

Photo: Kuala Lumpur from KL Tower

Later, on February 1, 1974, Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory. Kuala Lumpur ceased to be the capital of Selangor in 1978 after the city of Shah Alam was declared as the new state capital. On February 1, 2001, Putrajaya was declared a Federal Territory, as well as the seat of the federal government. The administrative and judicial functions of the government were shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya. Kuala Lumpur however still retained its legislative function, and remained the home of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Photo: Petronas Twin Tower

Kuala Lumpur name started started in 1850s, when the Malay Chief of Klang, Raja Abdullah, hired some Chinese labourers to open new and larger tin mines. They landed at the confluence of Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang (Klang River) to open mines at Ampang. Sungai Gombak was previously known as Sungai Lumpur, which means muddy river. The Original name for this city was "Pengkalan Lumpur", which means bundle of mud. As time passes by the name changed to Kuala Lumpur which literally means “muddy confluence” in Bahasa Melayu.

Source: Wikipedia, malaysiacentral.com

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Oldest coin found in Britain

One of the oldest coin found in Britain has been discovered after sitting on a shelf for a decade. The silver denarius Roman Republic coin dating from 211BC was found during an excavation in 2000 at Hallaton, Leics. But the coin sat in storage at a Leicester museum with 5000 other coins, a helmet and decorated bowl found at the dig. The Museum only realized about the coin when experts doing their catalogue for the Hallaton coin. The coins have been catalogued by Ian Leins, curator of Iron Age and Roman coins at the British Museum.
The coin, which would have been the equivalent of a day's pay for a legionary, predates Britain's previous oldest Roman coin by four years. Experts can tell the Hallaton coin is older as it does not feature a crescent shaped imprint visible on the Berkshire coin. It said the coin, which has the Goddess Roma on one side. The other side depicts mythical twins Castor and Pollux sat on galloping horses. The other coin found in Berkshire has a crescent between the heads, it is believed that the types with the issue marks are slightly later. The Hallaton coin is an early, anonymous type coin, which lacks a moneyer's name and any issuer's marks.Some archaeologists have however speculated that such Roman Republican coins found their way into Britain before the Roman conquest in 43 AD and were evidence of exchange through trade or diplomacy.

Helen Sharp, Hallaton Treasure project manager, said it was a big shock to discover they had such a significant find right under their noses.

She said: "The coin had been kept in storage for ten years in a low humidity room, just sitting there on a shelf.

"It was such a big surprise when we found out it is the oldest Roman coin in the country – it was dug up a decade ago. It is such a huge task to log and date coins, the hoard was so large. The coin was finally dated in 2009, but we didn't realise it was Britain's oldest until this week. It is really exciting that treasure discovered ten years ago can still keep surprising us."

The coin is now set to be a star attraction of the collection being displayed at Harborough Museum, in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. alongside other coins that were excavated at a late Iron Age shrine of the Corieltavi tribe dating to the first century AD.

Photo by BBC: Malcolm Langford, Henry and Anni Byard.

Britain's previous oldest coin was unearthed in Berkshire last year on the site of the UK's oldest road the Roman-built Ridgeway, near Avebury. The coin found by retired electrician Malcolm Langford, who has been metal detecting for seven years. The age of the coin discovered when he took it, along with another Iron Age silver coin of Eppillus to the West Berkshire and Oxfordshire Finds Liaison Officer, Anni Byard. Anni immediately confirmed the Iron Age coin was only one of 11 that have been recorded in the UK and suspected the Roman coin, a Republican silver denarius, was quite rare.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk, BBC News UK

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2010 Britannia Silver Bullion

The silver Britannia £2 coin had been introduced by Royal Mint UK since 1997. It is the largest and purest legal tender coin of the UK. It is produced in .958 Britannia silver, an alloy comprising 95.8% silver with the rest copper, and contains a full ounce of fine silver. Royal Mint UK has released 2010 Britannia Silver Bullion coin with a new look. A new portrait has been created by Suzie Zamit, UK famous body sculpture artist. The new bullion silver come with attractive gift box.

This is an explanation by Suzie Zamit about the new serene portrait:
I wanted to portray Britannia as strong (almost Amazonian) and courageous looking, but not overly warlike; more peaceful and protective. I have given her a Corinthian-style helmet and incorporated a lion on the design: the lion being the national symbol of courage - I wanted to emphasize the strong and watchful connotations - and this also links in with Greek and Roman coinage which display many animals.
Britannia on the Coinage was the Romans who, in recording their invasion and colonisation of the mysterious island lying beyond Oceanus, a country which they believed full of silver, first portrayed Britannia on their coins. Much later Britannia was to become a fitting symbol to grace the reverse of the copper coins of Charles II when, in direct allusion to the then war with the Dutch, her image symbolised her sovereignty of the seas. Universally recognised as the personification of Britain, she has graced the coins of every British monarch since. On the coinage of the present Queen, she featured on every pre-decimal penny and following decimalisation was chosen to appear on the 50p coin. She was chosen to grace the new gold coinage introduced in 1987, the coins of highest denomination in the realm, and on the silver bullion coins introduced in 1997.
The Britannia £2 coin has been struck in Britannia silver, an alloy of silver containing 95.8% silver and the rest of copper; weight 32.45gm and 40 mm in diameter. The Britannia standard of silver was introduced as part of the recoinage of William III in 1696 in an attempt to limit the clipping and melting of sterling silver coinage, it being reasoned that there would be less incentive to melt sterling silver when a higher standard was used for ‘wrought plate’. In 1697 Britannia silver became the obligatory standard for items of plate’ and the lion passant guardant hallmark was replaced with ‘the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia’. Sterling silver was approved again for use by silversmiths in 1720 with Britannia silver remaining optional. You can buy this bullion silver online via Royal Mint UK website starting from £22.50.

Source: Royal Mint UK

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Australia 2010 dreaming series

The Pert Mint had been releasing an Australia 2010 dreaming series. The Dreaming Series is the current chapter in The Perth Mint’s prestigious Discover Australia coin program depicting iconic aspects of Australian wildlife, landscape and culture. Following the outstanding success of the first Dreaming releases in 2009, the Mint proudly presents the 2010 gold, silver and platinum proof coins depicting Indigenous designer Darryl Bellotti’s unique interpretations of more well-known Australian animals. The coins are issued a legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

The coins’ reverse designs depict unique interpretations of a frilled neck lizard, common wombat, saltwater crocodile, koala and platypus. Each design is enhanced with a coloured pattern in the background. Designs for the three-year Dreaming Series have been created by Darryl Bellotti, The Perth Mint’s Indigenous artist. The obverse of each coin bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
This Discover Australia 2010 Dreaming Five-Coin Platinum Sets, is the latest release with 1/2oz platinum coin set and 1/10oz platinum coin set. . This is the series second year of three year series. This coin are made of a Proof Quality 99.95% Pure Platinum. Each set of this beautiful coin is accompanied by five numbered Certificates of Authenticity. Each set also housed in presentation packaging comprising a display case featuring a timber lid and a superbly illustrated box-shipper. This series is a limited mintage since The Perth Mint will release no more than 1,000 of each 1/2oz platinum coin and 2,500 of each 1/10oz platinum coin.

Technical Specifications:

Platinum Content (Troy oz) (1/2oz) & 1/10
Monetary Denomination (AUD) 50(1/2oz) 15 (1/10 oz)
Fineness (% purity) 99.95 99.95
Minimum Gross Weight (g) 15.56(1/2oz) 3.112 (1/10 oz)
Maximum Diameter (mm) 25.60(1/2oz) 16.60 (1/10 oz)
Maximum Thickness (mm) 2.30(1/2oz) 1.32 (1/10 oz)

Source: The Perth Mint

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Treasure gold coin found in Japan

Yesterday, the Japan times announced that a Japanese-Turkish research team has discovered a British-minted gold coin and a Japanese silver coin from a Turkish warship that sank 120 years ago off Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture. The Project that had been started since 4 January 2007 is a salvaging project with contributions from the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) in Bodrum, Yapı Kredi Retirement Partnership and the Turkish Foundation of Nautical Archaeology. One of their objective was to find the wreckage of Ertuğrul and completely float her to the surface. It is intended to exhibit her in the museum next to the Ertuğrul Monument in Kushimoto. U.S. and Japanese nautical archaeologists and historians join the excavation team.
Kyodo Photo: A £1 British coin and ¥1 silver coin

"Still there should be lots of gold coins" inside the ship Ertugrul, said Tufan Turanli, who heads the underwater archaeological team. The gold coin, dated 1856, measures 2.2 cm in diameter and weighs 8 grams. Both coins was retrieved at a depth of 12 meters. The team, which launched a three-year survey in 2008, has already discovered about 5,800 items from the wreck.

on 28 January 2008, the same team leads by Tufan Turanlı, director of INA, reached on the ammunition store section of the wreck in a dive within the second phase of the underwater excavation project. Three cannon balls, each 40 kg (88 lb), of the ship's Krupp naval guns, tens of bullets and pieces of naval mines were recovered and safely brought to the Port of Kushimoto, where explosive experts of local police, Japanese Army and Navy examined them. The artifacts were later taken to Ertuğrul Research Institute for conservation. Tufanlı recalled that two Winchester rifles recovered earlier are on exhibition in the museum.

Photo by www.sof.or.jp: The Ertuğrul at anchor in the Bosporus Straits

Ertuğrul, launched in 1863, was a sailing frigate of the Ottoman Navy. While returning from a goodwill voyage from Japan in 1890, she encountered a typhoon off the coast of Wakayama Prefecture, subsequently drifted into a reef and sank. The maritime accident resulted in the loss of 533 sailors, including Admiral Ali Osman Pasha. Only sixty-nine sailors and officers survived and returned home later aboard two Japanese corvettes. In February 1891, a cemetery was established for the 150 sailors recovered dead at the calamity, and a memorial next to it was built near the lighthouse in the town of Kushimoto, Wakayama. In 1974, a "Turkish Museum" was established, in which a scale model of the ship, photographs and statues of the sailors are on exhibition. The event is being commemorated every five years on the day of the tragic accident in Kushimoto with the participation of high-level officials from Turkey and Japan.

Source: Search.japantimes.co.jp, Wikipedia.

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Happy Australia day 2010

Happy Australia day 2010 to all Australian in this world. Australia Day are also called as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day or ANA Day. Some groups in Australia also referred to it as Invasion Day. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it is the official national day of Australia. The day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.

On 21 January 2010, Australian Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, announced the design of the newest coin to go into the hands of Australians. Commemorating and celebrating Australia Day and designed by the Royal Australian Mint in consultation with the National Australia Day Council, the mint produce 50 cent coin that marks the spirit of this significant Australia national celebration. The 50 cent cupro nickel coin will be in circulation.

The coin design, by Mint sculptor Vladimir Gottwald, features an artistic impression of Australia made out of ribbons with a circle of people surrounding the country. The ribbons have been adapted from the official Australia Day logo. The coin design captures the essence of togetherness and the ribbons convey a sense of spirit, pride and celebration.

The mint also produce selectively gold-plated collectible coin, for those who would like a special keepsake. For the first time, the Mint has created packaging that allows collectors to display the new coin from circulation alongside the precious metal collectible version. Together they will make an Australia Day 2010 numismatic set.


The selectively gold plated, silver Australia Day 2010 coin and specially wrapped stack of the new commemorative circulating coin is available from the Royal Australian Mint Coin Shop or online www.ramint.gov.au. These coins can also be bought from Australia Post Shopfronts and Mint Authorised coin dealers across Australia

Source: ramint.gov.au

Wish a happy Australia Day to every Aussie in this world.

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Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali Story

Recently, many people sms and calling me asking if I have any se-puloh ringgit with Agong watermark for sale. For every Malaysia paper money collector, you must have seen the 1st series Sa-puloh ringgit banknote signed by Ismail Mohd Ali. Many people thought he is the first Governor of Bank Negara, he is not. According to Saran Singh Book, The encyclopedia of the coins of Malaysia Singapore and Brunei 1400-1967, the first Governors of Bank Negara is Dato' W.H Wilcock from 26 January 1959 until 25 July 1962. Tun Ismail only the first Malaysian Governor of bank Negara.

Tun Ismail bin Mohamed Ali was born on 16 September 16 1918 in Port Klang. He is the eldest brother to Toh Puan Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; Malaysia 4th Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wife. He married to the late Toh Puan Maimunah Abdul Latiff. He died on 19 July 1998 and was buried at Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur. In Kuala Lumpur, there is a building called Menara Tun Ismail Mohd Ali at Jalan Raja Laut which was named after him in 2003.
Photo: Tun Ismail with wife and sons

He received his early education in a Malay school and attended the Victoria Institution (V.I) from 1931 to 1938. While at the V.I. Tun Ismail was active in the scouts; he swam, played badminton and took up gardening. He was a Shaw House prefect. He was the second Malay student in the country to win the highly competitive Queen's Scholarship. He joined Cambridge University to read economics from 1938 to 1941. On completion he was stranded in England by the war and so decided to read for the bar in 1943 at one of the Inns of Court in London at Middle Temple and was called to the bar to be a lawyer thereafter.
Photo: Tun Ismail during Cambridge year

Returning to Malaya after the war in 1946 Tun Ismail joined the Malayan Civil Service, rising to be Assistant Selangor State Secretary in 1948. He is one of the first non-European officers recruited directly into the MCS. In 1920 the British Secretary of State accepted recommendations that a single Malaya wide service should be recognized. The style Malayan Civil Service was formally adopted in January 1921 with a total establishment of 183 posts. The candidates for the post must be “natural-born British subjects of pure European descent on both sides”. The number of Malay officers in the MCS on 11th November, 1946 during the period of the Malayan Union was 21 out of a total strength of MCS officers at 230.

He served variously as Assistant Secretary in the Economics Department of the Treasury, as an Economics Officer in Penang and as a Comptroller in the Commerce Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Tun Ismail was made Minister in the Malayan Embassy in Washington D.C. from 1957 to 1960. He was simultaneously Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the United States. Returning to Malaya in 1960, he was appointed Deputy Governor of Bank Negara and was rose to be Bank Negara Governor in 26 July 1962. He held the post for 18 years until 26 July 1980.
Photo: Tun Ismail with Tun Mahathir

Tun Ismail was active in various organisations, serving as chairman, at various times, of Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Golden Hope Plantations Berhad, and Sime Darby Berhad. He was Pro-Chancellor of University Kebangsaan Malaysia and also served on the Board of Governors of the Victoria Institution.

Employment:
1946 Malayan Civil Services
1948-50 Assistant State Secretary, Selangor State Secretariat
1950-53 Assistant Secretary, Economic Division, Federal Treasury
1954-55 Economic Officer, Penang
1955-57 Controller, Trade Division, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
1957-58 Minister, Federation of Malaya Embassy, Washington, D.C.
1958-60 Economic Minister, Federation of Malaya Embassy, Washington, D.C.
1960-62 Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Malaysia
1962-80 Governor, Central Bank of Malaysia
Photo: Tun Ismail with wife and Maznah the iron lady

In many ways, Tun Ismail set the tone for the bank’s core values and instilled a culture of accountability, professionalism, integrity and service. In the early years of the central bank’s existence, Ismail saw his primary role as setting up a body of traditions – of absolute integrity, competency at all levels in the organisations and efficiency. He also placed strong emphasis on building up a dependable expertise in economic affairs and monetary matters and, above all, the ability to place national interest as against that of the individual. During Ismail’s stewardship of 18 years, the central bank wielded considerable independence and influence in economic policies. People who knew him, and who had worked with him, described him as a stickler for punctuality, and recounted incidents that revealed his strictness and high expectations of those around him or "Straight as railways".

Source: New Straits Times - Aug 9, 1998, ptdalumni.org, pem.org.my, viweb.freehosting.net

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North Korea’s new won 2009

New North Korea's won were revealed on December 2009 and some people claimed that the “currency reform” is being done for the workers. Some analysts said its also aims to curb runaway inflation and clamp down on the street markets that have sprung up in the tightly controlled nation. Jeong Kwang-min, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul said this move is to pave the way for Kim Jong-il to hand power to his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, and to ensure he inherits a stable economy.

When the Pyongyang residents heard the news, they rushing to the black market to convert hoarded bills into US dollars and Chinese yuan, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing unidentified North Korean traders operating in neighbouring China. North Korea announced on state radio that the exchange rate would be set at 100 old won to 1 new won, one foreign diplomat said. Residents will only be allowed to exchange 150,000 won for the new currency, according to South Korea's Joong Ang Ilbo newspaper and other media outlets monitoring North Korean radio.

North Korean currency now features a 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 10 and 5 won bill, plus a 1 won coin, and a 50, 10, 5 and 1 jeon coin. On the front of the 5,000 won bill there is Kim Il Sung’s portrait, with Mangyongdae, Kim Il Sung’s birth place on the back. On the front of the 2,000 won lies Kim Jong Il’s alleged birth place, a log cabin on Mt. Baekdu, and Jong Il Peak, which is located behind the cabin, and on the back side is the top of Mt. Baekdu. Kim Jong Suk’s birth place in Hoiryeong is on the front of the 1,000 won, and on the back a lake, Samji, where Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il had a famous photo taken.

The Triumphal Arch in Pyongyang is on the 500 won, the Chollima statue, also in Pyongyang, is on the 200 won, a peony flower, the North’s national flower, is on the 100 won. The front of the 50 won bill features the triumvirate of an engineer, farmer and working intellectual, and on the back is the Monument to the Founding of the Chosun (North Korea) Workers' Party in Pyongyang. On the 10 won bill, there are the three branches of the military and the Victory Monument, also in Pyongyang. The smallest bill, worth 5 won, shows a scientist and a student on the front and a hydroelectric dam on the back. The head sides of the coins show the emblem of North Korea, whilst Kimjongilia, Kimilsungia or the national flower is carved on the tails.

On the bills of 50, 10, and 5 won and 1 won coin and 50 and 10 jeon coins, there is the issuing year, which happens to be “Juche 91, 2002.” Therefore, there is a high possibility that they were printed in 2002 when the July 1st Economic Management Reform Measures were adopted. However, on bills worth 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100 won and 1 jeon and 5 jeon coins, “Juche 97, 2008” was printed as the issuing year. In fact, there have been rumors almost every year that a redenomination would be carried out, so there is the possibility that the authorities produced the new denominations in 2002 and have been waiting for the appropriate time to release them. Indeed, in July, 2002, one of the key reasons why prices soared and the currency lost so much value was a rumored redenomination.

Source: guardian.co.uk, dailynk.com

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Centen reproduction; 2nd Series Numismatic Treasure

Royal Spanish Mint had release a new series of collector coins entitled 'Numismatic Treasures', the primary purpose being to reproduce some exceptional coins from Spain's numismatic collections. This 2nd Series Numismatic Treasure set minted in 2009 is dedicated to the Centén and the Cincuentín. The set is composed of three coins, each of which reproduces a coin of a denomination that was issued in 1609 in the reign of Felipe III. The only remaining original 1609 centen coin were sold at auction in Barcelona for its reserve price of 800,000 euros on 22 October 2009.
There are three coins in this set, a Gold Centén coin or 20 euro coin in .999 gold (Price: 50,00 Euros), Silver Centén or 100 euro coin in .925 silver covered in .999 gold (Price: 261,00 Euros) and the other a Cincuentín or 50 euro coin in .925 silver (Price: 185,60 Euros). All of the coins come in stylish jewel cases, each coin resting in its own case. You can buy them individually or in a sets of three. The price for complete sets of 3 coins in one case is just 496,60 Euros.
Reproduced on the obverse and occupying the predominant position is the obverse of a coin of 100 escudos, namely the Centén, issued in 1609 in the reign of Philip III.The reverse reproduces the reverse side of the above-mentioned original coin.
Coin: Silver Centén
Composition: .925 silver, covered in .999 gold
Face Value: 100 €
Weight: 2168.88 g
Diameter: 73 mm
Mintage: 6,000
Reproduced on the obverse and occupying the central area is the obverse of a coin of 50 reales, namely the Cincuentín, issued in 1609 in the reign of Philip III. The reverse reproduces the reverse of the original coin minted in the 17th century.
Coin: Cincuentín
Composition: .925 Silver
Face Value: 50 €
Weight: 168.75 g
Diameter: 73 mm
Mintage: 6,000
Reproduced on the obverse and occupying the central area is the obverse of a coin of 20 reales, namely the Centén, issued in 1609 in the reign of Philip III. The reverse reproduces the reverse of the original coin minted in the 17th century.
Coin: Gold Centén
Composition: .999 gold
Face Value: 20 €
Weight: 1.24 g
Diameter: 13.92 mm
Mintage: 12,000

Source: Royal Spanish Mint

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Staffordshire hoard fundraising campaign

A Historian Dr David Starkey has launched a fundraising drive to keep the largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold in the region where it was discovered. A news by Associated Press stated that the campaign launched at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, aims to raise £3.3 million to acquire the Staffordshire Hoard, which was found by a metal detectorist last summer. If the campaign is successful, the Hoard would be jointly acquired by both the Birmingham museum and the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent. The campaign, being led by The Art Fund charity, aims to raise the required £3.3m by April 17.

Photo by Wikipedia: Some of the Staffordshire Hoard

Launching the appeal, Dr Starkey said it was vital that the Hoard - comprising around 1,500 items made of gold, silver and precious stones - remained as one collection. The Staffordshire Hoard is a name given to the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold yet found. Discovered in a field in the village of Hammerwich near Lichfield in Staffordshire, England on 5 July 2009, it consists of more than 1,500 items that are nearly all martial in character. The artefact's have tentatively been dated to the 7th or 8th centuries, placing the origin of the items in the time of the kingdom of Mercia.

Photo by AP News: Dr David Starkey

The historian said: "Archaeological finds don't come any bigger than this. The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest and most valuable collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever - it's the most important find for over half a century, and, in terms of the history of Middle England, the most important ever.

"But break it up or move it and its meaning is lost. It must stay here, together and intact, to be studied and displayed here in the West Midlands, the foundation of whose history it will now become."

The Art Fund's new Director, Dr Stephen Deuchar, kick-started the public appeal by announcing an initial Art Fund grant of £300,000 and by unveiling the official donation website www.artfund.org/hoard. Birmingham City Council, which runs Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, also announced that it is giving an initial £100,000 towards the campaign, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council will also donate £100,000, bringing the sum already raised already to £500,000.

Dr Deuchar said: "This is the most significant and beautiful treasure find from any era that has ever been unearthed in England. We are thrilled to be leading the public campaign and making an initial grant of £300,000 towards the £3.3million total.

"For years to come the treasure will be a source of awe and inspiration for all to experience. We, along with the rest of the nation, are very much looking forward to discovering its story."

This is a good move to make sure all the hoard doesn't get separated. Its already making a history by being the most largest Saxon hoard ever been found. Separating it means that the history can only be read in a book. I wish Department of Museum in Malaysia will be taking a same initiative whenever any historical artefact's found in this country. People can easily take national treasure without any action by the department? I read many news about old treasure found in Malaysia but their action are too late or they don't take any action at all.

Source: AP News, Wikipedia

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2010 coin of The year award

2010 coin of The year award had been announced on 12 January 2010. A Coin of the year international panel of judges concluded voting 8 January 2010 and the public online voting for the People’s Choice Award ended 10 january 2010. World Coin News is a sister publication to Numismatic News that covers the field of world coinage. This year’s competition featuring coins dated 2008 was hotly contested. The Coin of the year winner was chosen in two rounds of voting. The first determined the winners of 10 categories and the second round chose the Coin of the Year from those 10 initial winners.
Coin of the year award won by 20 lati issued by the Bank of Latvia. It marks the 15th anniversary of the renewal of the lats currency after Latvia regained independence from the old Soviet Union. The original design was created in 1922 by Teodors Zalkalns but never used. The new Coin of the Year also topped the Best Gold category.
People’s Choice winner won by Hungarianis 5,000 forint .925 fine silver coin designed by Gabor Gati to honor the Tokaj wine region of Hungary. There is just one round of People’s Choice voting and the nominees are handled independently of the COTY competitors. This is also the third time Hungary has won the People’s Choice Award.
The U.S. American Eagle one-ounce silver coin won the Most Popular coin category in the first-round COTY vote.
This year’s Trade coin category winner is a bimetallic 2-euro coin issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus. The coin depicts an ancient statue cross.
First-round winners include a silver 100 tenge commemorating Ghengis Khan from the Kazakhstan Mint. It topped the Most Historically Significant category, which honors persons or events of 100 or more years in the past.
In a related category of Best Contemporary Event, which marks events or persons from less than 100 years ago, a silver 10 sheqalim from the Bank of Israel that commemorates 60 years of statehood of modern Israel received the most first-round votes.
A German silver 10-euro commemorative coin topped the Best Silver Coin category. The issue honors writer Franz Kafka, who was born 125 years before, in 1883.
The Austrian Mint’s 10-euro silver coin for Abbey Klosterneuberg received the most votes in the Best Crown category. Crowns are coins that are 34 millimeters or larger in diameter and usually are silver or a base metal silver substitute.
The 65th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against the Nazi occupation is the theme of the 200 zlotych gold coin issued by the National Bank of Poland that won the Most Artistic Coin category.
Winner of the title of Most Innovative Coin is an Austrian 25-euro piece that consists of a silver ring and niobium center. The niobium is colored a shimmering green by a special oxidation process and this effect celebrates the phenomenon of light. The design on the obverse shows a gas lamp of the 19th century and the other side carries a portrait of Austrian inventor Auer von Welsbach and an evolutionary series of lightbulbs.
Canada was the 10th category winner. Its $2,500 gold piece, “Towards Confederation,” was named Most Inspirational Coin. It is part of a series for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the design presents the full sweep of Canadian history.

World Coin News will recognize both winners Jan. 30 at the World Money Fair in Berlin. Nominations for the 2011 award can be made by anyone from among the many world coin issues dated 2009. Submit them with images and full descriptions to Lisa Bellavin at lisa.bellavin@fwmedia.com.

Source: numismaster.com, coinnews.net

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