US dollar coin with hole

A United States dollar coin with a hole in a middle do exist and its struck in gold too. I am having a discussion with a friend yesterday about weird coin that we think never exist. Any coin that come out from our topic, we will Google it, to check it existence. Beside US dollar coin with hole, my friend also look up "Largest Circulation coin" but it end up to my post he have not read before; World largest current circulation coin. When we search for "dollar coin with hole", it bought us to Heritage Auction website with a pattern gold dollar coin, 1852 Ring Dollar in Gold, Judd-145, Thin Planchet.

Here a bit of information about it by Heritage Auction:

"An annular pattern with a wide opening that restricts the legends to the date, denomination, and country name. The lower half of the reverse displays a wreath. Struck in gold with a plain edge. Both thick and thin planchet variants are known of this pattern. The thicker variant weighs around 32 grains, and examples are believed to be original strikings. The restrikes weigh around 25 grains and are struck on thinner planchets.

The reason for experimentation with gold dollars (Judd-136 to Judd-148) was to provide a larger, more convenient diameter for the coins. 

Gold dollars were small and easily lost, and in the early 1850s they represented a substantial amount of money for the average worker. Convenience lost out, however, to a more practical solution: The amount of silver was reduced in most subsidiary coinage in 1853, which returned the silver denominations to the channels of commerce rather than going to the melting pot. And the gold dollar diameter was increased in 1854, via the Type Two format."

Source: Heritage Auction.

This coin is one of U.S Mint trial gold coin pattern in 1852. They're trying to make a gold dollars with a larger diameter, so it cannot easily lost like the small one. Heritage sold a similar coin to this one in 2008 for over $27,000.

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1 kilo Tungsten Gold Found

Two years ago, world were shocked by a video about fake tungsten gold found in Germany. A few days ago, ABC Bullion of Australia reported about finding 1 kilo Tungsten Gold found in UK, complete with pictures of the  legitimate Metalor 1000gm Au bar filled with tungsten. From the picture, look like the gold bar has been drilled out and filled with tungsten. According to ABC Bullion, The Bar is brought from a scrap metal dealer in UK, complete with its original certificate. The owner of the business that purchased the bar only became suspicious when he realized the weight discrepancy and had the bar cropped. He estimates between 30-40% of the weight of the bar to be Tungsten.

Pictures by ABC Bullion.

From ABC Bullion: Thursday, March 22, 2012.

"ABC Bullion received the following email from one of our trusted suppliers this week.

Note:

It was not ABC Bullion that purchased this bar, the email and photos were sent to us as a general warning.

I xxxx'ed out the city's name to avoid any second guessing as to the name of the dealer.

19/03/2012:

Attached are photographs of a legitimate Metalor 1000gm Au bar that has been drilled out and filled with Tungsten (W).

This bar was purchased by staff of a scrap dealer in xxxxx, UK yesterday. The bar appeared to be perfect other than the fact that it was 2gms underweight. It was checked by hand-held xrf and showed 99.98% Au. Being Tungsten, it would not be ferro-magnetic. The bar was supplied with the original certificate.

The owner of the business that purchased the bar only became suspicious when he realized the weight discrepancy and had the bar cropped. He estimates between 30-40% of the weight of the bar to be Tungsten.

This is very worrying and reinforces the lengths that people are willing to go to profit from the current high metal prices. Please be careful."

A pawn shop in Klang, Selangor, also warned me about the Tungsten filled gold bar last year. The girl who work there said they found few tungsten filled bar try to be pawn or sold as genuine gold bar. What I know, the tungsten filled bar cases only involve large gold bar-100gm and no famous gold bullion bar has been related to such cases. To anyone who don't know, tungsten is one element that has just about the same density as gold. Alloying gold with tungsten would not work for several reasons but a coin with a tungsten center and gold all around it could not be detected as counterfeit by density measurement alone. 

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€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.

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1933 Double Eagle not the most expensive coin

Reading news related to coins just now and its a little bit funny when all the major news website quote the 1933 Double Eagle as the World Most Expensive coin. You can read it in BBC, Daily Mail, Huffington Post and other major news site. Its a wrong information because since a new most expensive coin take over its position in 2010; 1794 silver dollar coin, 1933 double eagle is not the most expensive coin anymore. To anyone who still don't aware, 1933 double eagle will be on exhibition in UK this weekend at at Goldsmiths' Hall in Foster Lane. The 1933 double eagle UK Exhibition is a part of a European tour arranged by the Samlerhuset Group, parent company of the London Mint Office, with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, based in Washington DC.

On 30 July 2002, 20 Dollars 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin were auctioned of for $6.6 million, plus a buyer’s fee of 15% for a total price of $7,590,020 at Sotheby's, New York, USA. The coin became the world most expensive coin ever auctioned before a New World Most Expensive coin, 1794 Liberty Dollar beat the record in 2010. The Neil/Carter/Contrusi 1794 flowing hair dollar, sold in a private sale for $7.85 million to the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation of Sunnyvale by Steven L. Contursi. The Name "Neil/Carter/Contrusi 1794 flowing hair dollar" came from the previous owner of the coin. The price became so high since many numismatist believe the coin is the first 1794 Silver Dollar.

You can read some of the news here:
CBBC Newsround, BBC news channel: The world's most expensive coin is on display in London.
Huffington Post: Rare Double Eagle, Most Expensive Gold Coin Ever Made, To Go On Show.
Daily Mail UK: Rare 'Double Eagle' 1933 coin worth $7.6 MILLION goes on show in UK for first time.

All of this maybe because Guinness World Record still put the Double Eagle 1933 as the most expensive coin in their website; Most Expensive coin sold at auction. But if you talk about the World Most Expensive Coin, it is the 1794 flowing hair dollar.

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Top 5 Posts about Malaysia gold

Today I am sharing Top 5 posts about Malaysia gold that has been posted in my blog before. Some of you might have not read some of the posts before unless if you're lunaticg.blogspot loyal readers since 2009. What you read here are just snipet of the actual posts, click on the title to read more about it. I am sharing the old posts because a reader asked me why I share less story about Gold News in Malaysia. The main reason maybe because this blog is not about gold, I am more on banknote and coin. They're also less news about Malaysia gold coin since Bank Negara Malaysia don't frequently produce a commemorative gold coin. When they do, they only produce a small quantity of gold coins for collector to collect.

1. Kelantan Kijang Gold Kupang

Different views were given regarding the origin of the Kijang gold coins. One is the view which associates the coins with Che Siti Wan Kembang, a female ruler in Kelantan. Her reign was rather obscure as one historian places her in the 14th century while another puts her in the 17th century. According to local folklore, some Arab traders presented a Kijang to the Queen. She became very fond of her pet and had it inscribed on the gold coins. Another version was linked to the influence of Saivite Hinduism. The connection was based on the fact that the earliest issue of Kijang coins resembled the Indian humped-back bull and the bull motif was depicted on the ancient Hindu coins which were circulated in the Northern Malay States.

2. Coin Collecting vs Bullion gold

In this post, I am comparing which one is better Coin collecting or gold investment? I am using Tunku Abdul Rahman Commemorative 100 ringgit gold coin price as a comparison to gold investment. The Tunku gold coin weight at 18.66 gram and.917 fine. I am comparing that gold coin with Malaysia own Kijang emas bullion one troy ounce price.

3. Gold Dinar in Malaysia

Gold Dinar in Malaysia has been started since early 2000 by IGD Practice Sdn. Bhd. in Melaka (correct me if I am wrong). The dinar marketing has been done by Singgahsana Emas Sdn. Bhd(SESB)which started their operation officially on 16 June 2004 at Plaza Usahawan building in Melaka. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Malaysia fourth Prime Minister has been actively promoting dinar for Muslim worldwide trading. I know several companies in Kelantan who are using gold dinar as a tools of barter trade but it still not widely used in Malaysia for trading. Most buyer a collector and investor of the precious metal.

4. Where to buy Kijang Emas Bullion?

Many newbies in Gold Bullion Buying and Selling don't know that Kijang Emas can only be bought from certain Maybank Branches. Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coins are Malaysia's own gold bullion coins. Malaysia is the 12th country in the world to issue its own gold bullion coin. The Kijang gold bullion produce by Kilang Wang Bank Negara with 99.99% Gold Purity. The bullion are available in 1 oz (RM200 Face Value), 1/2 oz (RM100 Face Value) and 1/4 oz (RM50 Face Value) size. The Kijang Emas is priced at the daily gold market share. The price is quoted daily and pegged to the international gold price to facilitate buying and selling.

5. Where to sell your gold coins?

Do you knew where can you sell your gold coins? Not everyone knew where they sell their precious metal. In this post, I am writing some tips on where can you sell your gold coins in Malaysia. The coin price will going up again in the future, it will not be hard to sell your coins when the price is going up since many people willing to buy them if you know where to put them for sale. 

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Islam rare coins auction

Rare Islamic coins will be auctioned by A. H. Baldwin and Sons Ltd in London at The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair on 25 April 2012. The auction will include around 150 rare Islamic coins that record important events in the history of Islam and some of its great rulers. Almost all the famous gold dinar will be in this auction including Umayyads and Abbasids gold dinar. The world most expensive gold dinar today is the Umayyad Dinar dated 105h (723AD), struck from gold mined at a location owned by the Caliph himself, auctioned by Morton and Eden for £3,720,000. A record that is not easy to break since most gold dinar sold for £300,000-400,000 before.

Here are some of the coins that will be auction:

Byzantine Gold Solidus which shows the Emperor Heraclius and his two sons on the obverse and bears the kalima (the Islamic statement of faith), on the reverse. The earliest Islamic gold coin to contain the Kalim, the statement of faith, bismillah la ilah illa Allah wahda Muhammad Rasul Allah (no god but God unique, Muhammad is the messenger of God).

Umayyad Gold Dinars struck in the year 77 of the Hijra by the Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik bin Marwan, the most sought after Islamic coins. This was the very first fully Islamic gold coin, bearing words from the Holy Qur’an without any of the imagery that had been seen on its Byzantine type predecessors.

Abbasids Silver Dirhams, the first silver coins issued in al-Yamama, the district around today’s Saudi Arabian capital city, al-Riyadh.

Abbasids Gold Dinar, Caliph al-Mu’tazz  dated 252H. It is recorded that it was struck from gold which had been used to cover the Makam Ibrahim, outside the Ka‘ba. The makam is one of the great relics associated with the Prophet Muhammad, and this outstanding example of the coin, which so eloquently recalls this sacred spot, is extremely rare.

Fatamid Dinar, al-‘Aziz Billah, Makka 366H. After al-Mu’izz conquered Egypt he went on to seize the Holy City of Makka in the Hijaz. This excessively rare dinar was struck in the name of his successor al-‘Aziz during the latter’s struggle with the Qarmatids. Another rare Gold Dinar was struck in Makka.

Bronze Medal of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II bearing the initials PM in his turban, which is attributed to Pietro di Martino da Milano, one of the great Renaissance master medallists. Thought to be unique, this finely cast medal provides an astonishing insight into the character of the great Sultan so soon after his conquest of Constantinople in 1453 CE.

Other coins that will be auction including Gold Guinea of King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Al Sa’ud bearing the mint name Makka al-Mukarrama struck in the year 1370H (1950-1951 CE), Silver Medal with an elegant floral pattern that was issued by the Abbasid Caliph al-Radi billah in Madinat al-Salam (“City of Peace”), Gold Five Ashrafi piece struck by Ahmad III during Turkey’s “Tulip Period”, Ottoman Five Guinea piece in the name of ‘Abd al-‘Aziz bin Mahmud struck in Misr (Egypt), Al-Musta’sim Abbasid Gold Dinar struck in Madinat al-Salam and many more great Islamic coins.

For further information and to register your interest, you can visit Baldwin and sons at www.baldwin.co.uk.

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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

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Where to buy Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coin

Where to buy Kijang Emas Bullion? Can I buy Kijang Emas directly from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)? Many newbies in Gold Bullion Buying and Selling don't know that Kijang Emas can only be bought from certain Maybank Branches. Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coins are Malaysia's own gold bullion coins. Malaysia is the 12th country in the world to issue its own gold bullion coin. The Kijang gold bullion produce by Kilang Wang Bank Negara with 99.99% Gold Purity. The bullion are available in 1 oz (RM200 Face Value), 1/2 oz (RM100 Face Value) and 1/4 oz (RM50 Face Value) size. The Kijang Emas is priced at the daily gold market share. The price is quoted daily and pegged to the international gold price to facilitate buying and selling.

The design on the obverse of each coin depicts a barking deer - "kijang" in its natural habitat in the Malaysian jungle.

The reverse features the hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia.

For Kijang Emas price you can check Here.

You can purchased The Kijang Bullion individually or as a set at 32 selected Maybank branches. It will be better to called the nearest Maybank in this list since it a little bit hard to find Kijang Emas. Called and booked the Kijang Emas, make sure you go to Maybank and pay the selling price on the same day if the Kijang is available for you. Its a bit hard to find it and the price outside Maybank maybe a little bit high from the market price if your Kijang Gold coin still in the original packet. People buy and collect them and most probably don't want to sell them in the future. The only best place to buy Kijang Emas that I knew is Maybank HQ but you need to be there early morning (if it is available), when they just start to open the bank.

Here are 32 Maybank branches that sell Kijang Emas bullion:

KUALA LUMPUR MAIN BRANCH (Maybank HQ)
1st Floor
Menara Maybank
100 Jalan Tun Perak
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2074 7956 / 03-2074 7037, Fax: 03-2070 2611

BANGSAR BARU BRANCH
66, 68 and 70 Jalan Maarof
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2284 6379 / 03-2284 6377. Fax: 03-2282 3132

BUKIT BINTANG BRANCH
G-Floor Bangunan Yayasan Selangor
Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2142 8268 / 03-2141 4934, Fax: 03-2142 9525

KUALA SELANGOR BRANCH
11 & 13, Jalan Raja Jalil
45000 Kuala Selangor
Tel 03-3289 1754; Fax 03-3289 3709

PETALING JAYA MAIN BRANCH
50-52, Jalan Sultan (52/4)
46200 Petaling Jaya

SHAH ALAM MAIN BRANCH
10, Persiaran Perbandaran
Section 14
40000 Shah Alam
Tel:03-55199289

JOHOR BHARU MAIN BRANCH
Lot 1-22, Level 1, 2 and 3
Johor Bharu City Centre
106 - 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook
80000 Johor Bharu
Tel: 07-219 3666 / 07-219 3516 / 07-219 3514

MUAR BRANCH
104 Jalan Abdullah
80400 Muar
Tel: 06-952 1545

MELAKA MAIN BRANCH
114 and 114A Graha Peladang
Jalan Hang Tuah
75300 Melaka
Tel: 06-282 2214; Tel: 06-282 2343

JALAN MUNSHI ABDULLAH
BRANCH
171-175 Jalan Munshi Abdullah
75000 Melaka
Tel: 06-284 0312; Fax: 06-284 0625

ALOR STAR BRANCH
1535, Jalan Sultan Badlishah
05000 Alor Star
Tel: 04-772 9241

PULAU LANGKAWI BRANCH
5-11, Jalan Pandak Mayah 1
Pusat Bandar Kuah
07000 Langkawi
Tel: 04-966 6208

SUNGAI PETANI BRANCH
Central Square Complex
23 Jalan Kampung Baru
08000 Sungai Petani
Tel: 04-421 6877, Tel: 04-423 3842, Tel: 04-421 2512, Tel: 04-421 0290

BUTTERWORTH BRANCH
4277 Bagan Luar Road
12000 Butterworth
Tel: 04-3322901

PENANG MAIN OFFICE BRANCH
9, Lebuh Union
10200 Penang
Tel: 04-261 1266

KUALA LIPIS BRANCH
92A and 92B Jalan Besar
27200 Kuala Lipis

KUANTAN MAIN BRANCH
UMNO Building
1 Jalan Hj Abdul Aziz
25000 Kuantan

MENTAKAB BRANCH
1 Jalan Haji Kassim
28409 Mentakab
Tel 09-277 1151

IPOH MAIN BRANCH
Bangunan Mayban Trust
28 Jalan Tun Sambanthan
30000 Ipoh
Tel: 05-241 2131

TANJONG MALIM BRANCH
Jalan Chong Ah Peng
35900 Tanjong Malim

TELUK INTAN BRANCH
43-45, Medan Mahkota
Jalan Ah Cheong
36000 Telok Intan
Tel : 605-621 3360

SEREMBAN BRANCH
166-169, Jalan Dato' Bandar Tunggal
70000 Seremban
Tel: 06-762 5242

KANGAR BRANCH
Upper Grd. Floor, Menara KWSP
Jalan Bukit Lagi
01000 Kangar
Tel : 04-9764846, 04-9763419

KOTA BHARU BRANCH
3880-E, Jalan Mahmood
15200 Kota Bahru
Tel: 09-741 9584 / 09-741 9581

KUALA TERENGGANU BRANCH
92 Jalan Sultan Ismail
20200 Kuala Terenggganu
Tel: +609-624 6758

KARAMUNSING BRANCH
Bangunan Maybank
No. 1, Lorong Kemajuan
Karamunsing
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Tel: 088-252 185 / 088-233 913, Fax: 088-252 190

TAWAU BRANCH
262-264, Fajar Complex
Jalan Mahkamah
91000 Tawau
Tel: 089-763 943 / 089-762 304, Fax: 089-763 355

LABUAN BRANCH
Lot E005, Ground Floor Podium
Financial Park Labuan Complex
Jalan Merdeka
87000 Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan
Tel: 087-582 388 / 087-443 888

SANDAKAN BRANCH
Lot 28, 29 and 30 Block HS-3
Sandakan Harbour Square
90000 Sandakan
Tel: 089-213 171 / 089-213 172, Fax: 089-272 979

MIRI BRANCH
Lot 112, Jalan Bendahara
98008 Miri
Tel: 085-417 766 / 085-412 282, Fax: 085-418 450

SIBU BRANCH
35, 37 and 39, Jalan Kampung Nyabor
96000 Sibu
Tel: 084-338 868 / 084-332 081, Fax: 084-311 060

WISMA SATOK BRANCH
Level 1 Wisma Satok
Jalan Satok
93400 Kuching
Tel: 082-415 603 / 082-428 568,Fax: 082-250 299

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50 Excelentes for auction in New York

One of the Europe's most famous coin, 50 Excelentes, commissioned by the 15th century monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella as gifts will be in an auction by Sotheby's next month. The Archer M. Huntington collection of 37,895 Spanish coins, valued between $25 million and $35 million will be sold in a single batch in a sealed bid auction that ends March 8. The collection was put together a century ago by American railroad magnate and philanthropist Archer Milton Huntington, who also founded the Hispanic Society of America.

David Redden, Sotheby's vice chairman and head of special projects said, the collection, which is owned by the New York chapter of the Hispanic Society of America, was offered to the government of Spain before the auction but its bid was too low, Redden said. Persons who have expressed an interest in the auction include Americans, Spaniards and other Europeans

The collection is dominated by the nearly five-ounce (140 gram) solid gold 50 Excelente coin, which Redden called "arguably the most important and valuable European coin in existence." It shows a profile of the monarchs on one side and a shield on the other side. Other 50 Excelente coins were minted but disappeared for reasons that can only be guessed.

The collection also includes a copy of the "Ides of March" denarius, the most famous ancient coin, which was coined by the ancient Roman politician Brutus in the year 4 BC to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar, in which Brutus conspired. Other coins in the collection were among the first minted in the New World as the Spanish colonized the Americas, and coins from the Muslim period in Spain. The coin collection is on display at Sotheby's New York galleries.

Source: AFP

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1933 Double Eagle Dublin Exhibition

After 1933 Double Eagle London Exhibition on March 3 and 4 next month, the second most expensive coin in the world will be going for an expedition in Dublin. The 1933 Double Eagle Dublin Exhibition will be held at the Baroque Chapel, The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Military Road, Kilmainham, between 12pm and 8pm on Tuesday 6 March, and 10am and 4pm on Wednesday 7 March. The coin has been the world most expensive coin for so many years before a new most expensive coin take over its position; 1794 silver dollar coin.

The exhibition is part of a European tour that takes in seven countries, arranged by the Samlerhuset Group, parent company of the Dublin Mint Office, in conjunction with the National Museum of American History, part of the US Smithsonian Institution. The 1933 Double Eagle will be displayed alongside a collection of other notable US coins, including the 1907 high relief $20 gold coin; the Capped Bust to left $5 gold coin (1807-1812) and the Liberty gold $20 coin (1849-1866).

1933 double eagle Dublin Exhibition

Place: Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

Date and Time: 6 March 2012 (12pm and 8pm), 7 March 2012 (10am and 4pm).

Admission: Free.

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Odyssey Marine must return 500m treasure

As reported by AFP, Justice Clarence Thomas, a US Supreme Court justice refused to grant a Florida company's request to block a lower court's order to return treasure to the Spanish government that was salvaged from a ship sunk in 1804. Odyssey Marine Exploration must return 500m treasure which recovered from the wreck of the Spanish ship "Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes." The company was trying to overturn a February 1 decision by a federal court in Atlanta that ordered the treasure returned. The lower court said the ship, which was sunk during a battle with a British fleet, remained the property of Spain.

Picture by telegraph.co.uk: hoard of treasure found

The ship was found in May 2007 at a depth of 1,700 feet (518 meters) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal. It was returning from Peru. The hundreds of gold objects and more than 500,000 silver coins Odyssey Marine Exploration discovered are expected to be the most valuable treasure recovery in history.

The company hid the discovery under the code name of "Black Swan Project" while it removed the treasure to an undisclosed location.

The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruling said that releasing the treasure "to Odyssey rather than Spain would be inconsistent with Spain's rights under the 1902 Treaty of Friendship and General Relations between the United States of America and Spain.

"This treaty requires the United States to extend to Spanish shipwrecked vessels the same protection and immunities afforded to its own shipwrecked vessels in similar circumstances."

Odyssey Marine Exploration still can appeal for a review by the entire Supreme Court, which historically has offered a minimal chance of success after rejection by one of its own justices.

Source: AFP.

Wish this kind of action will be taken by The Department of Museums Malaysia to all National treasure thieves. People had been exploring Malaysian water and land for treasure, without any action for a very long time. Some of them has became instant silent millionaire. We have the law but we cannot see any enforcement, as always has been in Malaysia. Some people really like to brag about their stolen find. Good luck to them.

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1933 double eagle UK Exhibition

For the first time, a 1933 double eagle will be exhibited  in UK. The famous USA 1933 gold double eagle will go on display in London next month. The exhibition is part of a European tour arranged by the Samlerhuset Group, parent company of the London Mint Office, with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, based in Washington DC. The free exhibition will be open to the public at Goldsmiths' Hall in Foster Lane, London, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4. The coin has been the world most expensive coin for so many years before a new most expensive coin take over its position; 1794 silver dollar coin.

1933 double eagle UK Exhibition
Place: Goldsmiths' Hall in Foster Lane, London.
Date: 3 and 4 March 2012
Time: 10am and 4pm
Admission: Free.

1933 Double eagles were minted on 15 March 1933, a week after President Franklin Roosevelt, ordered the US Treasury to halt the release of all gold. In 1937, all the coins were destroyed by the Treasury and melt them into gold bars. Only two of the coins survived as part of the official US coin collection at the Smithsonian Institution. But 10 of the coins surfaced in the 1940's. Over the next decade, the US Secret Service tracked down nine of them and destroyed them. All of the owners said they bought them from Switt, or from someone who bought them from Switt, according to court documents. Switt was twice investigated for illegally possessing gold coins in the 1930s and 1940s. He surrendered many of the coins, but was never prosecuted because the statute of limitations had run out, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero said to Associated Press.

The tenth 1933 Double Eagle, became the personal collection of Egypt's King Farouk in the 1940's, he received permission from the US government to ship the coin overseas. In 1954, the coin turned up at an auction in Cairo, during a sale of the deposed king's coin collection. Upon learning of the 1933 Double Eagle, the US government requested that it not be sold. The coin disappeared, only to turn up in the 1990s in the possession of British collector Stephen Fenton, who was arrested in New York City after trying to sell the coin to undercover US Secret Service agents. The government and Fenton later consented to its sale at auction on 30 july 2002 for $7.59 million and split the proceeds with the owner.

In 2004, Switt's daughter, Joan Langbord, told officials at the US Treasury that she had found 10 more 1933 Double Eagles in a safe deposit box.She asked the Treasury Department to authenticate them. The government instead seized them, but the federal judge later ordered officials to defend the forfeiture at trial. The coins are being kept at Fort Knox. The government argues that the safety box was not rented until six years after Switt died in 1990. Government lawyers say that 10 other "double eagles" that surfaced in the 20th century can all be traced to Switt. Prosecutors believe Switt and a corrupt cashier at the Mint had a hand in the breach. The Langbords had opened their deposit box the day before the London dealer's Farouk coin was seized in 1996, Romero said. The family later offered a similar 50-50 split with the U.S. to settle the case, but the government rejected it on grounds the family cannot legitimize their ownership of the coins, given Switt's history.

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€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.

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€50 Adele Bloch-Bauer Gold coin

On 25 January 2012, The Austrian Mint had issued the first gold coin of a new 5 part gold coin series celebrating one of the leading luminaries of the art nouveau movement, Gustav Klimt, and his primary subject, women. The new coin is struck in 986 fine gold to a maximum mintage of 30,000 pieces in proof quality only. The diameter of the coin is 22mm and it contains 10 grams of fine gold. The series commencing this year also marks the 150th anniversary of Klimt’s birth. The next four coins of the series are: 2013: Expectation from Stoclet Frieze; 2014: Judith II; 2015: Hygieia from the faculty painting Medicine; 2016: The Kiss.

The reverse shows a portion of the famous painting of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. The many complex mosaic-like details surround her somewhat sad but serene face. Her beautiful long neck is highlighted with the lovely elaborate choker encircling it. In the bottom left of the design field is the letter “K", the first letter of Klimt’s last name. Mint engraver Herbert Waehner completed the engraving of the reverse. 

The obverse of the coin bears a portrait of Klimt based on a photograph by Moriz Naehr from about 1917/1918, framed in a square, that brings to mind the canvas of a painting. The use of the square is also to highlight one of the most common shapes repeatedly used by Klimt in his paintings. In the bottom right corner of the square is Gustav Klimt’s signature based on his signature that he used on his many paintings. To the right of the square is a spiral, much like Klimt used, to ornament the coin. Also on this side appears the country of issue, “Republik Oesterreich” or Republic of Austria, and the face value of 50 euros and year of issue, 2012. The Mint’s chief engraver, Thomas Pesendorfer, engraved the obverse.

Technical Specification:
quality: proof
face value: 50 Euro
date of issue: 25.01.2012
coin design: Thomas Pesendorfer / Herbert Waehner
diameter: 22.00 mm
alloy: Gold Au 986
fine weight: 10.00 g
total weight: 10.14 g

Each coin is packed in an attractive box with a numbered certificate of authenticity, which is six pages in length and provides detailed background and technical information about the quality and design of the coin. A beautiful wooden collection case for the whole series, “Klimt and his Women”, may be purchased separately. It contains a booklet explaining the whole series. If you are interested on buying this coin, you can visit Austria Mint at www.muenzeoesterreich.at.

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Malta 2012 coin programme

The Central Bank of Malta has published its 2012 Coin Programme listing the new coins to be issued this year. Coins which have already been issued are also referred to in the programme. Details are as follows:

Malta 2012 €2 10 years of Euro Commemorative Coin

In May 2011, Euro area citizens were invited to submit designs for €2 10 years of euro Commemorative Coin. A professional jury selected five from more than 800 designs. The short-listed designs were then placed online, open to all euro area citizens, for a public vote in June 2011. Close to 35,000 participated in the vote. The winning design, receiving 34% of the votes, was created by Mr Helmut Andexlinger, a professional designer at the Austrian Mint. The design symbolises the way in which the euro has become a truly global player in the last ten years and shows its importance in ordinary people's lives (represented by the people in the design), trade (the ship), industry (the factory) and energy (wind power stations). This is the third time that all euro area countries will issue a euro coin with a common design on the national side. The first was the commemorative €2 coin issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007 and the second, in 2009, commemorated ten years of Economic and Monetary union and the creation of the euro as a unit of account.

€2 Commemorative Coin dated 2012 in roll x 25 coins
Selling price including VAT: €80
Maximum issue limit: 500,000
Engraver/Designer: obverse Helmut Andexlinger; reverse Luc Luycx
Mint: Royal Dutch Mint

Malta 2012 Antonio Sciortino gold and silver coins

The Central Bank of Malta will issue a numismatic coin as part of the Europa Programme 2012 “European Artist” during March 2012. This coin, which will be available in gold and silver versions, commemorates Antonio Sciortino (1879 – 1947), a Maltese sculptor. He studied at L’Istituto Reale di Belle Arti in Rome and spent much of his life there, eventually becoming Director of the British Academy of Arts. He was initially influenced by Rodin, with his best works revealing this. Sciortino's favourite medium was bronze, which he used with great sensitivity. The coin depicts “Les Gavroches” (Street Urchins), Sciortino’s 1904 masterpiece based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel “Les Miserables”, a book that was banned by the Catholic Church at the time Sciortino completed this bronze statue. A bozzetto model of the statue was presented to Princess Elizabeth in 1951 and still forms part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. The bronze statue was placed at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta. Following restoration in 2003, it was moved to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta and a replica was placed where it had stood originally at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

SILVER version
Face value: €10
Diameter: 38.61mm
Weight: 28.28 grms
Alloy: 0.925 silver
Quality: Proof
Selling price including VAT: €53
Maximum issue limit: 10,000
Engraver/Designer: Royal Dutch Mint
Mint: Royal Dutch Mint

GOLD version
Face Value: €50
Diameter: 21mm
Weight: 6.50 grms
Alloy: 0.916 gold
Quality: Proof
Selling price including VAT: €346
Maximum issue limit: 2,000
Engraver/Designer: Royal Dutch Mint
Mint: Royal Dutch Mint

Other coin in the programme:

• A collector's medal featuring the Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette and St. John's Co-Cathedral. This medal is part of a presentation pack, which includes a DVD on renowned historical sites in Malta issued by the Malta Tourism Authority, on sale from May;
• A Euro Coin Set dated 2012 consisting of the eight Maltese euro circulation coins, a €2 commemorative coin, which is the second in a series of five coins featuring milestones from Malta's constitutional history (see below) and a replica coin of the Roman period, on sale from June; 
• A €2 commemorative coin relating to Malta's constitutional history bearing the inscription "Majority Representation – 1887" to be issued both in proof quality as well as in rolls of 25 coins each, on sale from September. 

The 2012 MCDC programme, order forms and terms and conditions are available from the bank's web site. www.centralbankmalta.org. Subject to availability of stock, collectors/general public will be guaranteed one item from each product. 

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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

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Virgin Mary Wayshower coin

On 19 December 2011 the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has introduce into circulation a gold commemorative coin ‘The Virgin Mary Wayshower’ from the ‘Bulgarian Iconography’ series. This is yet another coin from the series, which features an author’s replica of the double-sided icon ‘The Virgin Hodegetria’ (‘She who shows the Way)’, which since 1939 has been preserved at the National Church Museum in Sofia. The coin is intended to stir collectors’ interest and make an appropriate present for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays, which are associated with a new beginning and a hope for a good future.

The obverse of the coin features the logo of the Bulgarian National Bank and the year ‘1879’ inscribed on the ribbon. The inscription ‘БЪЛГАРСКА НАРОДНА БАНКА’ (Bulgarian National Bank), the nominal value of the coin ‘20 ЛЕВА’ (BGN 20), and the year of issue ‘2011’ go in circumference.

The reverse of the coin depicts a fragment of the Sozopol icon ‘The Virgin Hodegetria’ (XIV – XV centuries) from ‘St. John the Theologian’ church and the inscription ‘СВ. БОГОРОДИЦА ПЪТЕВОДИТЕЛКА’ (The Virgin Mary Wayshower).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Year of issue: 2011
Nominal value: 20 levs
Alloy: Au 900/1000
Quality: Proof
Weight: 1.55 g
Diameter: 13.92 mm
Edge: flat
Mintage: 6,000
Minted: in Sofia, Bulgaria
Artistic design: Ivan Todorov and Todor Vardzhiev

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1787 gold coin sold $7.4M

A rare 1787 gold coin sold $7.4M in an auction, highest prices ever paid for a gold coin. For a record, World's most expensive coin: 1794 silver dollar sold for  $7.85 million. The rare 1787 gold Brasher doubloon purchased by a Wall Street investment firm. A New Orleans-based coin and precious metals company, Blanchard and Co., brokered the deal but identities of the buyer and seller were not disclosed.  Minted by Ephraim Brasher, a goldsmith and neighbor of George Washington, the coin contains 26.66 grams of gold, slightly less than an ounce. The Brasher doubloon is considered the first American-made gold coin denominated in dollars; the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia didn't begin striking coins until the 1790s.

AP Photo/Chris Baudot, Blanchard and Company, Inc.

The 1787 Brasher Doubloon is an impressive example of early American design. The debate continues as to which side of the coin is the obverse, but most numismatists now agree that the landscape side of the coin is the obverse. The coin features the radiant sun just behind the peak of a mountain with the sea in front. Brasher’s name is boldly engraved below the sea. The landscape is framed by a circle of beads. Along the periphery of the coin, separated by rosettes, are the legends “NOVA EBORAC,” which is the Latin name for New York, “COLUMBIA” and the state motto “EXCELSIOR.” Translated literally, the legend means New York, America, Ever Upward. “Excelsior” remains the New York State motto to this day.

picture by: emediawire.com

The reverse depicts a proud, heraldic eagle with its wings displayed. The eagle is facing right and its head is surrounded by thirteen five-pointed stars, symbolizing the thirteen original states. Across the eagle’s breast is a shield. In the right talon, representing peace, are olive branches, and in the left talon are the arrows of war.  The entire eagle is encircled by a wreath. At the bottom edge of the coin is the date with rosettes placed on either side. At the top edge is the inscription “UNUM E PLURIBUS” (One From Many) which is separated by two six-pointed stars.

The coin is called a Doubloon because it is approximately equal in weight to the Spanish Doubloon which circulated actively in colonial America. A value of $16 was initially attributed to the coin, but later research shows that this value was erroneously placed and the “Doubloon” was actually worth $15 at the time of issue. This value was first suggested in a comprehensive article about Brasher Doubloons written by numismatist William Swoger and published in the June 1, 1992 issue of Coin World magazine. Additional information about weights and measures of the era was published in the 1993 book, "Money of the American Colonies and Confederation," by Phil Mossman.

Source: Associated Press.

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Official London 2012 Olympic coins

Early last month, Royal Mint has revealed. The official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic coins. The coins are winning designs from Royal Mint competition for art and design students attending higher education colleges and universities across the UK. Two British students had won the competition; Olympic coin by Saiman Miah, Paralympic coin by Pippa Sanderson. Both of them get £5,000 prize money each and a chance for their design to be a mementos of London 2012. The coins are UK legal tender.

The designer of the official Olympic coin, 24-year-old architectural student Saiman Miah (left), from Birmingham is currently studying for his Masters degree at the Birmingham School of Architecture. The designer of the official Paralympic coin, mature graphic and media design graduate Pippa Sanderson from Malvern, Worcestershire (right) recently graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic and Media Design at Hereford College of Arts. Both coin design has a London 2012 Olympic emblem, which has a Union flag infill in full colour, is exclusive to the Official Olympic and Paralympic precious metal Proof coins.

The London 2012 Olympic Gold Proof £5 Coin

The inspiration for Saiman Miah design came from his love of architecture and includes a detailed impression of London’s iconic skyline. Saiman also incorporates pictograms of athletes around the edge of the skyline to create a clock face referencing to another London icon, Big Ben.

Technical Specifications:

Denomination: £5

Alloy: 22 Carat Gold

Weight: 39.94 g

Diameter: 38.61 mm

Designer (Reverse): Saiman Miah

Designer (Obverse): Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS

Edge Inscription: Not Applicable

The London 2012 Paralympic Gold Proof £5 Coin

The Paralympic coin design by Pippa Sanderson is a modern interpretation of some of the key skills we will enjoy watching during the Paralympic Games. The top left section of the coin features an archery target representing accuracy and the words ‘London 2012’, while the top right of the design shows spoked wheels representing manoeuvrability. The bottom right section shows Big Ben representing London and the bottom left section of the coin features a stopwatch representing speed and the London 2012 Paralympic emblem.

Technical Specifications:

Denomination: £5

Alloy: 22 Carat Gold

Weight: 39.94 g

Diameter: 38.61 mm

Designer (Reverse): Pippa Sanderson

Designer (Obverse): Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS

Edge Inscription: Not Applicable

To purchase a coin or for further information on the Royal Mint’s full London 2012 collection, please visit www.royalmint.com

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