lunaticg | Coin collecting, banknote, gold and silver investment

Showing posts with label Commemorative. Show all posts

RBS £10 Queen Diamond Jubilee banknote

On Wednesday, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched a new £10 Queen Diamond Jubilee commemorative banknote. Two million of the notes will be issued, with initial supplies already in circulation. The commemorative banknote, approved by the Queen, is RBS' first ever £10 commemorative note. It is the third in RBS' royal commemorative note series, which includes a £20 note for The Queen Mother's 100th birthday in September in 2000, and a £5 note for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

The note features different images of the Queen taken during her reign:

The Queen at Epsom Racecourse in 2008.
Official palace photograph of the Queen taken in the 1940s.
The Queen with her family at Balmoral Castle.
The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Anne attending the traditional Mass for the Order of the Thistle.

The note will be available in branches in Scotland and available to order. Notes with special serial numbers have been donated to some of RBS’s partners - Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust, (PSYBT) Oxfam, National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Golf Union and the STV Children’s appeal. A charity auction of this note, and other rare RBS banknotes, will be held later in the year with the proceeds going to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Charity Trust.

You can also order by sending a cheque for the face value of the notes (maximum of 20 notes) + £5.90 for Special Delivery postage to:

The Royal Bank of Scotland
Scottish Note Team
Drummond House
1 Redheughs Avenue
PO Box 1727
Edinburgh
EH12 9HS.

Please note that this is a limited offer which expires on 30th June 2012.

Source: RBS

Happy Teacher's Day

I just want to wish Happy Teacher's Day to all teachers out there. I will always admire their courage, patience, dedication and inspiration to teach a person to be someone better. Malaysia celebrate teacher day on 16 May every year but the World Teachers' Day is celebrated across the world on October 5. According to Wikipedia, Malaysia choose 16 May because on the same day in 1956, the Federal Legislative Council of the Federation of Malaya endorsed the Razak Report, one of four reports of the Education Committee regarding education in Malaysia. The document, known as the Razak Report after Tun Abdul Razak who was Education Minister at the time, has been the basis of education in Malaysia ever since.

Photo by flickr: Пам-парам

Malaysia Central Bank (BNM) has not minted any Teacher's Day coin yet but I manage to found a coin by Egypt that related to education. On the reverse of the coin show teachers, back to back and students, wreath in background. On the obverse show denomination divides dates, legend above. Only 1,000,000 of this copper-nickel coins has been minted.

Technical specifications:
Country: Egypt
Year: 1979 (1399 Hijrah)
Denomination: 10 Piastres
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Weight: 5.96g
Diameter: 27mm
mintage: 1,000,000

Thank you to all teacher's out there.

I wish one day BNM will mint a teacher's day coin to appreciate teacher in Malaysia.

£100 Diamond Jubilee commemorative note

State of Jersey has released a £100 Diamond Jubilee commemorative note to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The £100 note will only be available from 1 June 2012. This note will be available for sale either individually, at face value, or within a commemorative Diamond Jubilee wallet priced at £105. The £100 note will form part of a series of commemorative events for the Island, including a presentation to the National Portrait Gallery of the Jersey Heritage commissioned holographic portrait of The Queen, ‘Equanimity’ by artist Chris Levine. you can start make a pre-order from the States of Jersey treasury. The note will feature the holographic portrait of the Queen which was commissioned by Jersey Heritage Trust on behalf of the States of Jersey. It will also feature English, French and Jerriais words and the holographic portrait will appear as the main image and on the security strip.

Picture by BBC: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee £100 note

The portrait has also been chosen as the lead image in the National Portrait Gallery's touring Jubilee exhibition The Queen: Art and Image.

How to order:
-You can email Treasury Cashiers at f.cashiers@gov.je.

-You can also contact Jersey Philatelic Bureau to pre-order this item:
Website: www.jerseypost.com
Tel: +44 (0)1534 516320
Email: stamps@jerseypost.comp
Price: £105.

Postal orders can only be sent to the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and the maximum amount available to order by post is £2,500. All orders will be delivered through The Royal Mail Special Delivery Courier Service. Please note that we are unable to courier currency notes to destinations outside the United Kingdom (UK). For UK orders there will be an additional postal charge.

Over the counter (from 1 June):
-Treasury Cashiers at Cyril Le Marquand House
-Broad Street Post Office

You can find more information at States of Jersey official website;£100 Diamond Jubilee commemorative note.

2012 Ice Hockey World Cup Coin

On 13 April 2012, The Mint of Finland has released a 2012 Ice Hockey World Cup Coin. The coin released is to commemorate the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship that will take place between sixteen teams from 4 May until 20 May 2012. Finland and Sweden will host the event with games being played in Helsinki and Stockholm. The polished, proof-quality collector coin comes packaged in a folder which tells the tale of the coin itself. The collector coin is also offered in UNC quality (circulation grade), in bags of 10 coins each.

The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship collector coin captures the exciting standoff and the key moment of the game: when the puck enters the goal. The reverse side of the coin depicts a player with the puck on his stick at the face-off, when the score is still even. The obverse side depicts a puck flying into the goal and the conclusion of the match. The coin is designed by Petri Neuvonen.

Technical Specifications:
Nominal value: 5 €
Quality: Proof, UNC
Metal: Ring; aluminium bronze (CuAlNi), center; copper-nickel (CuNi)
Weight: 9.8 g
Diameter: 27.25 mm
Mintage: 20,000 (proof), 180,000 (unc)
Year stamp:2012
Designer: Petri Neuvonen

You can buy the commemorative coins via Mint of Finland website at www.suomenrahapaja.fi.

2012 Native Orchids of Singapore Coins

Today, The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has released their 2012 Native Orchids of Singapore Coins set for collector, only will be issued on 8 May 2012. The series consist of Singapore two native orchids, Arundina graminifolia and Bulbophyllum macranthum. It will be a 999 Fine Silver Proof coins, weighs 1 troy ounce, has a face value of $5 and a diameter of 40.70mm. The coins can be purchased individually or as a set of 2 coins. For the coin set, only 3,000 sets will be produced. One unique feature of these coins are portion of the circumference of each coin is semi-rimless. The reverse of the coins show the orchids and the obverse bears the Singapore Arms with the year 2012.

Arundina graminifolia

This orchid is commonly known as the Bamboo Orchid for its strong resemblance to the bamboo plant. It is usually found in open grasslands where there is an abundance of light and moisture. The flowers are coloured in either white and lavender or a deep violet-pink combination with a subtle hint of bright yellow in the throat.

Technical Specifications:
Denomination: $5 dollar
Metal: 999 Fine Silver Proof
Weight: 1 troy ounce
Diameter: 40.70mm
Certificate: Yes
Mintage: 10,000

Bulbophyllum macranthum

This orchid is characterised by its unique flowers where the lip is situated at the top, giving it an “upside-down” orientation. The sepals are creamy-yellow or white, with specks of dark purple. The flowers emit a spicy odour to attract its pollinators. The leaves grow on separate pseudobulbs and have a leathery texture.

Technical Specifications:
Denomination: $5 dollar
Metal: 999 Fine Silver Proof
Weight: 1 troy ounce
Diameter: 40.70mm
Certificate: Yes
Mintage: 10,000

You can purchased the coins from the Singapore Mint. For enquiries and coin orders, you can contact The Singapore Mint at 6566 2626 / 6895 0288 / 6222 2486 / 6238 9890. www.singaporemint.com

Canada RMS Titanic coins

I don't know why but people still love Titanic, even after nearly 100 years of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on 15 April 1912. On its day, Titanic is the world's largest, most luxurious and reputedly safest passenger ship. On 5 March 2012, Royal Canada Mint unveiled a $10 Canada RMS titanic .9999 Silver coin. They also minted a coloured 50 cent silver plated coin and 25 cent cupro-nickel coin. Canada is related with efforts to recover RMS Titanic and their coins certainly a must collect for Titanic buff. At the time I wrote this article, over 87% of the Silver coins has been sold and it will finish any time soon.

A richly coloured 25-cent cupro-nickel RMS titanic coin completes the Mint's account of the unforgettable story of RMS Titanic. Designed by Three Degrees Creative Group, the coin shows contrasting views of the RMS Titanic casting off on its maiden voyage before admiring crowds in Southampton, UK. This image is juxtaposed against a shimmering scene of the floating palace gliding through North Atlantic waters under a starry night sky. These haunting images are framed by two columns of four circles rising out from opposing sides of the coin's edge. These impressions symbolize the more than three million rivets which fastened the ship's hull. The coin is packaged in a colourful folder containing a pop-out bird's eye view of RMS Titanic sailing in all its glory, as well as facts about the ship and a timeline of her maiden voyage. Produced on demand, this captivating coin retails for $25.95 CDN.

The $10 RMS titanic 99.99% pure silver coin features a design by maritime artist Yves Bérubé of the ship under full steam as it nears the iceberg which would seal its fate. The proof finish of the coin shows off the longitude and latitude of its final resting place off Canada's Atlantic Coast in a delicately frosted highlight. This finely crafted coin, equally suited to Titanic buffs, history enthusiasts, and collectors is limited to a mintage of 20,000 coins world-wide and is available for $64.95 CDN.

All the coins can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca.

Double Florin anniversary coin set

For a limited edition of 125 set, Royal Mint has released a Double Florin 125th anniversary coin set. The two coins in a set, a 'Very Fine' condition double-florin coin and a 2012 silver 20 pence coin is a treasure that you must keep. The double-florin is dated between 1887 and 1890, the four years during which the coin was minted, making the double-florin one of the shortest-lived British coin denominations ever. The silver 20p is included as the coin is the modern denomination equivalent of the double-florin and 2012 marks 30 years since its introduction. This limited edited set comes complete with a booklet detailing the history of coins, a numbered Certificate of Authenticity and a reprint of a numismatic paper on the double-florin written by Graham Dyer OBE FSA.

2012 20p Coin

On the reverse is a Queen Elizabeth II portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. On the reverse is a segment of the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

Denomination: 20p
Alloy: .925 Sterling Silver
Weight: 5.00g
Diameter: 21.40mm
Reverse Designer: Matthew Dent
Obverse Designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
Quality: Proof

Double Florin

The obverse side of the coin shows a portrait of Queen Victoria wearing a veil, with the inscription "VICTORIA - DEI GRATIA" (Victoria - By the grace of God), while the reverse side shows four cruciform-crowned shields bearing the emblems of England (x2), Scotland, and Ireland, with sceptres between the shields, in the style of Charles II's gold coins designed by John Roettiers; the inscription on the reverse reads, "FID DEF BRITT REG date".

Denomination: Four shillings
Alloy: .925 Sterling Silver
Weight: 22.60g
Diameter: 36.00mm
Reverse Designer: Leonard Wyon
Obverse Designer: Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm

For coin price and more information of the coins, you can visit Royal Mint UK at www.royalmint.com.

€10 Tulips gold proof coin

Royal Dutch Mint has announced a new coin, €10 Tulips gold proof coin, The first official Dutch 10 euro commemorative coin of 2012. The coin is to commemorate 400 years of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey. The coins are struck in .900 gold fineness and weight at 6.72 gram. The coin will start to be delivered on 26 March 2012 and comes in a luxury wooden box with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Only 2,000 pieces of the gold proof coin will be minted. Why Tulip as a symbol for Dutch 400 years of diplomatic relations with Turkey? Its all because of Tulipomania or "Tulip Mania" during Dutch Golden Age in 1630's. In 1612, Dutch send their first ambassador to Istanbul. During Tulip Mania, people in Europe are buying tulip bulbs at a very high price.

The obverse depicts the portrait of Queen Beatrix, accompanied by a flowering tulip as a national symbol. On the reverse side is a closed tulip seen in conjunction with the Turkish flag, a metaphorical representation of the native land of the tulip.

Technical Specifications:
Metal: Gold
Content: 900/1000
Weight: 6.72 g
Diameter: 22.5 mm
Grade: Proof
Nominal value: 10 euros
Circulation: 2,000

For more information and coins that being offered by Royal Dutch Mint, you can visit www.knm.nl.

First Proof coin mint in Malaysia

Do you know what is the first proof coin mint by our Malaysia Mint? Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had released a RM30 Sterling Silver on 26 January 1989 to commemorate BNM 30 years anniversary. The comemorative proof coin produced locally at Malaysia Mint (Kilang Wang BNM) in Shah Alam, making it the First Proof Coin Mint in Malaysia. The coins issued in Proof and non-proof coin. Before this coin has been minted, Malaysia proof coin were minted in UK, Singapore, USA, German and Australia. Only 10,000 pieces of these coins has been produced by Kilang Wang BNM.

The obverse side indicate the denomination, the bank logo and the year 1959-1989 at the top. The words "Bank Negara Malaysia" are along the circumference at the bottom of the coin.The reverse side feature the old and the present Bank Negara Malaysia head office buildings, side by side, the national flag in the background at the top and inscribed at the bottom the theme "Ulang Tahun Ke-30".

Technical Specifications:
Denomination: RM30
Composition: 92.5% Silver 7.5% Copper
Diameter: 37.79mm
Weight: 22gm
Mintage: 10,000
Mint: Kilang Wang BNM
Box: Yes
Certificate: Yes

Old News-PATA coins release

Another old news that I want to share, PATA coins release; Marking it with coins from New Straits Times, 1 April 1986. The release of the coins had bring a large crowd coming to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Kuala Lumpur Headquarters. The Silver Proof coins, packed in special blue cases, cost at RM40 a set and come with cerificate of Authenticity. The $1 non-proof coins sold at their face value. The coins feature the logo of the 35th Annual conference of PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) in Malaysia, Johan (PATA conference official mascot) a stylised version of the smiling giant leatherback turtle. 500,000 Uncirculated $1 copper-nickel coins and 11,000 $5 Silver Proof .500 coins were issued by BNM.

Marking it with coins; New Straits Times, 1 April 1986.

Bank Negara is to issue a set of silver proof $5 and $1 coins as well as a $1 cupro-nickel non-proof coin from April 9 to commemorate the Pata conference. These coins feature, comprising a stylised version of the smilling giant leatherback turtle with the inscription "35th Annual Conference" and the date of the conference-April 9 to 16. The two proof coins are being sold as a set at $40 each, while $1 non-proof coin will be issued at a face value. The proof coins have a metal composition of 50 per cent silver, 40 per cent copper and five percent each of zinc and nickel, while the non-proof $1 cupro-nickel coin is 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. both the non-proof and proof coins will be legal tender in Malaysia and will be available at branches of Bank Negara Malaysia. The bank said only a limited quantity of the proof coins, packed in special presentation cases, have been minted.

Will BNM sell their coins for the face value in the near future? I am probably can only dream about it. BNM also want to gain profit from the commemorative coins sales but please do some changes. At least, start a BNM online shop or official Malaysia Mint website. Malaysia coins and banknotes have many fan outside Malaysia too and not all Malaysian can go to BNM branches on the release date. One thing for sure, I cannot find any BNM Commemorative coins Model like Noor Aimah Mohd Nor from all newspaper cutting that I found. Maybe BNM should appointed her as the Official BNM Model for 2012. She is pretty and also Photogenic. Anyone agree?

2015 Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Coins

Japan Ministry of Finance has decided to issue commemorative coins for the Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction project. The 1,000-yen silver and 10,000-yen gold commemorative coins will be issued in fiscal 2015. The special commemorative coins will be given to investors who purchased special government bonds sold to raise funds for reconstruction work. The commemorative coins will be issued in four series, coins in this post are the first series. The designs for the second, third and fourth series will be selected through the contest to be held by the Japan Ministry of Finance and the Japan Mint.

On the coin obverse will bear the design of the lone pine tree that survived the tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, and doves. The tree, dubbed by residents the "miracle pine" has become a symbol of the city's reconstruction. On that side the words "Gambaro Nippon" (Let's keep it up, Japan) will be inscribed.

On the reverse, the silver 1,000-yen coin will depict a large fishing ship and an ear of rice, while the other side of the 10,000-yen coin, which is gold, will show a map of the government's designated special economic zones in the disaster-hit areas and doves.

10,000yen Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Project Gold Coin

Material Pure gold
Weight 15.6g（1/2 troy ounce)
Diameter 26.0mm
Sales Price Under consideration
Mintage Limited issuance

1,000yen Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Project Silver Coin

Material: Pure silver
Weight: 31.1g（1 troy ounce）
Diameter: 40.0mm
Sales Price: Under consideration
Mintage: Limited issuance

One 10,000-yen gold coin will be given for every 10 million yen's worth of reconstruction bonds as of April 15, 2015. A 1,000-yen silver coin will be offered for every 1 million yen's worth. Reconstruction bonds for individuals will be on sale at financial institutions all over Japan from March 5 to 30. The bonds will be issued on April 16 with a 10-year redemption period. The interest rate for the first three years will be 0.05 percent. It will become a floating rate from the fourth year, reviewed every six months.

Source: Japan Mint

Old News-RM50 gold line release

One of my friends in Facebook asked, "how much is the price of RM50 gold line banknote when it was released in 2008?" The banknote has been released for sell by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on 26 December 2007. The RM50 notes release to mark Malaysia's 50 years of independence. It a symbol of Malaysia's success, stability of the ringgit and the economy and strength and prosperity of the nation. On the day of the launch, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Finance Minister, received the first note from Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Only 20,000 pieces of the notes, which would be especially packaged with information on the security features. The new RM50 banknote was printed by German-based company which has manufacturing facilities in Canada and Malaysia (Do you know what Printer? Will write about this later). The new RM50 banknote with special packaging will be available for sale to the public at RM60 per set from 26 December 2007. The new RM50 banknote is the first denomination of the fourth series of Malaysian currency notes.

How much the price of the 50 ringgit goldline banknote today? Many people comparing the price of the RM50 goldline and the new premier 4th series banknote. The new banknote has been produced at a very high quantity. Many collectors who want to gain an instant profit make a mistake by holding the notes and hoping the price is going up in an instance. Only a few sellers who sold their item on the first week of the release can get a high price on the banknote, lucky them. The price will be going up but it will take time to gain a high price like what happen to 50 ringgit commemorative. If you can get the RM50 goldline with the same number as your premier notes, that will be a very good collection. All AA Prefix notes with the same number.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) just release a warning advise today via their website about the Fake Jose Rizal 150 pesos Banknote. BSP has never issued nor is planning to issue such type of banknote. Therefore, any 150-Piso commemorative note or similar banknote is fictitious. The public is advised to report anyone passing such 150-Piso fictitious notes to the police authorities and/or to the Investigation Division, Cash Department, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Security Plant Complex, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City through telephone numbers 926-5092 and 929-7071 local 618 or via e-mail through bspmail@bsp.gov.ph.

The only Commemorative BSP released for 150th years of Jose Rizal Birthday is a 1 piso Jose Rizal Commemorative coin last December. For anyone who don't know, the National Hero of the Philippines, was born on June 19th, 1861 and 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of his birth. I like the idea of 150 pesos banknote and that will be a perfect commemorative notes, if they exist. Since BSP already announced that this banknote never exist, we can only dreaming about it. I read in some forum, this note are actual design submitted to BSP but never release into production. We can read so many thing about it but if they don't exist, we cannot collect them, right.

Source: www.bsp.gov.ph

€50 World Design Capital Helsinki coin

A new €50 World Design Capital Helsinki coin has been released by Mint of Finland during World Money Fair in Berlin. The 50 euros gold and silver coin minted to commemorate Helsinki as a 2012 World Design Capital awarded by International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. Only 5,000 pieces of this coins are minted by the Mint and it came with a beautiful gift package. The collector coin marking this momentous year has been designed by the designer Henna Lamberg. A 5 euro Aluminium-Bronze metal coin with the same design also has been released.

On the obverse show alternative smooth and uneven surfaces including triangular and peaked effects that give it a distinctive look and tactile attributes resulting in a three-dimensional appearance. The text on the coin reads “WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL HELSINKI 2012” and is placed around the inner disc which is off-center. The Mint’s logo appears towards the end of the legend.

On the reverse show an opposite illustration of the center disc as seen on the obverse and also includes the coin’s denomination positioned at the top along with free-style and directional linear additions all around the center disc which are recessed into the silver ring. The text “SUOMI FINLAND” is also seen towards the lower portion.

Technical Specifications:
Nominal value: 50 €
Metal: Ag 925/Au 750
Diameter: 27,25 mm
Weight: 10,8 g
Mintage: 5000
Designer: Henna Lamberg
Issue date: 3.2.2012
Year: 2012
Quality: Proof
Price: 430.00 €

If you're interested on buying the coin, you can visit Mint of Finland at www.suomenrahapaja.fi.

Macao Dragon Banknote

Yesterday, The Bank of Macao has issued a Macao Dragon Banknote to celebrate the year of the dragon. Bank of China and Banco Nacional Ultramarino respectively issued a piece of the commemorative 10 Pataca banknote on Thursday to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon. The banknote is featured by Chinese paper-cut dragon on the face and the building of Bank of Macao or the building of Banco Nacional Ultramarino on the back. In addition, the Ma Zu temple in Macao has been adopted as the foil scene.

Source: People daily news

Wang baru Malaysia problem

Today, there is a little bit heat discussion about "Wang baru Malaysia problem" (Problem with Malaysia New Commemorative banknotes) in Bank Negara Malaysia official Facebook. In my earlier post; Exchange faulty new commemorative notes, BNM said that we can change the commemorative sets if they're faulty (Faulty mean the notes got fold, torn, wrong serial numbers etc). As long as the mistake is not hand made by collector. I don't want to talk about the discussion, you can read it yourself in BNM Official Facebook. BNM Admin in that discussion agree to give a collector chance to change his premier set with inspection by BNM staff to make sure the fold is not mistakenly made by human.

Ironically, one hour later, my sifu from Penang called me asking about the new commemorative banknote price in Kuala Lumpur. Normally, he don't called me, I am the one who always called him asking his opinion. He told me, he bought 30 sets of the premier and from that 30 sets, only 2 pieces of the commemorative sets don't have faulty banknotes. He also having the same problem as mine, most of the RM10 and RM20 have press mark like what you can see in the picture above. Lucky for him, he can sell all the other 28 pieces to his family and friends. Some of the notes a torn a little bit, he said the torn only can be seen if you take out the notes from its packaging. Most probably the notes get the torn when they put it in the packaging. These kind of defect will surely downgrade your collection grading and value. I talk with my sifu for about an hour about this matter, he advice me if you can find flawless banknote set, keep it. It might get a higher price in the future because many of the commemorative banknote do have some defect.

Just a few questions to all my Malaysian friends who bought this banknote:
1. Do any of you have the same problem?
2. Have you try to change it at the nearest BNM branch?
3. How many percent of set you buy have some defect (problem)?

Please share it in here.

Titanic 100th Anniversary Silver Coin

New Zealand Mint has released Titanic 100th Anniversary 1oz Silver Coin Set. The Titanic coin is pure .999 Silver and limited to 2,229 coin sets only. Each set is presented in a custom display case of a ships porthole and a ticket type certificate of authenticity comes with each set which includes the history surrounding the RMS Titanic. RMS Titanic was the largest passenger steamship in the world when she set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City on 10 April 1912. Four days into the crossing, at 23:40 on 14 April 1912, she struck an iceberg and sank at 2:20 the following morning, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.

Reverse Design

This features an the image of the Titanic. The background detailing features a nautical map with compass detailing around the outer edge of the coin.

Obverse Design

The obverse of the coin features the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of the Commonwealth and Niue Island, along with the year of issue and the denomination of $2.

Packaging

Each set is presented in a custom display case of a ships porthole and a ticket type certificate of authenticity comes with each set.

Technical Specifications:
Metal: .999 Silver
Finish: Proof
Diameter: 40.7mm
Edge: Milled
Denomination: $2.00
Year of Issue: 2012
Mintage: 2,229

This coin is available exclusively through New Zealand Mint distributor APMEX. The Coin can be purchased through their website www.apmex.com.

Fiji $1 Silver Proof 2012 Dragon coin

Mint of Finland has produced Fiji $1 Silver Proof "Dragon Yin and Yang" coin. The beautiful Silver coin has already out of stock. The coin is a matching pair of beautiful Dragon Yin and Yang coins that form together a circle. The dragon coins depict the yin and yang image, which symbolizes two opposite yet complementary basic forces. According to Chinese philosophy, the entirety of the world is formed in a process of continual change with the alternating dominance of the opposing forces. Together the dragon coins form a cohesive whole, a circle. According to beliefs, those born in the year of the dragon are idealists, perfectionists and decisive.

Technical Specifications:
Mint: Mint of Finland
Denomination: $1
Quality: Proof
Issue limit: 4,000 pcs
Alloy: 92.5% Sterling Silver
Diameter: 49.90 mm
Weight: 33.62 grams
Design: Erkki Vainio

For item buying, you can visit Royal Scandinavian Mint http://rsmint.com/

France 50 euro dragon coin 2012

On 14 December 2012, Monnaie De Paris or The Paris Mint has release France 50 euro dragon coin 2012. The .920 gold coin minted by Paris Mint. Only 1000 pieces are available for worldwide circulation. This coin is one of the fables of Jean de La Fontaine series that had started since 2007. There are 200€ and 500€ gold coins also available with design similar to the 50€ coin.

This year is dedicated to the Dragon. On the obverse, the Dragon and Chinese ideogram are represented surrounded by a frieze Sinisa. The words "Year of the Dragon" is above the animal. The portrait bust of Jean de La Fontaine appears on the reverse. Below the face value represented the twelve animals that form the Chinese zodiac. The words "Fables of La Fontaine" is a legend.

Technical Specifications:
Author: Paris Mint
Weight: 8.45 g
Diameter: 22 mm
Circulation: 1000
Metal: Gold 920/1000
Quality: PROOF
Price: € 490.00

You can order/buy this coin from Monnaie De Paris at their website http://www.monnaiedeparis.fr

29 London 2012 sports collection coins

Royal Mint UK has released a complete 29 London 2012 sports collection coins celebrating Olympic and Paralympic sports. The 29 London 2012 coin designs were selected from thousands of excellent designs received in Royal Mint London 2012 50 pence design competition. The winner of the competition get £1,000 including a solid gold version of the winning coin. The winners are also invited to see how his/her design to be transformed into actual United Kingdom coins at Royal Mint. You can buy any of the 29 different coins separately for just £2.99 or a complete set for £85.00. You can also get the Collector Album for £5.99, the album includes slots to house each of the 29 coins. You can get it for free if you buy 8 London 2012 sports collection coin packs for just £23.92.