In a few minutes we will bid farewell to 2012 and welcoming a new year 2013. There are so many things happening in 2012. In this post I will share with you numismatic, currency collecting and investment news that were happening in 2012.
In January 2012:
European Central Bank has released a Euro 10 years Commemorative €2 coin design. The coin is being issued in all euro zone countries and bears the same design on one side. This is the third time that all euro-area countries will issue a euro coin with a common design on the national side.
Bank Negara Malaysia announced that new Malaysia coin will start circulating from 16 January 2012 onwards. The new coins to be introduced into circulation in phases are legal tender and will co-circulate with the existing series. The existing series will be gradually phased out.
In Februaray 2012:
Beijing News reported an internet users claim they found the figure of three kittens in the new fifth series of Yuan banknote. They claim two kittens appear opposite each other kneeling down with another in the center gazing with its mouth open. The "worshiping cats" is said to be anti forgery technology use by People's Bank of China.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) release a warning advise 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.
On 15 February 2012, The National Fatwa Council ruled that foreign exchange trading (forex trading) is forbidden (haram) for Muslims. Bernama News reported, Council chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said forex trading is against Islamic law and creates confusion among Muslims. Abdul Shukor said Muslims should not engage in forex trading as there are many doubts about it and it involves individuals using the internet, with uncertain outcomes. A study by the committee found that such trading involves currency speculation, which contradicts Islamic law.
In March 2012:
For the first time, a 1933 double eagle were exhibited outside United States. The famous USA 1933 gold double eagle has been on exhibition, 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 1933 Double Eagle were 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).
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. 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.
In April 2012:
A women posted in Facebook a Fake Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) certificate to claimed her Sapuloh Watermark agong banknote is real. She are also using fake signature of MNS late President Mr. E. E. Sim (who was a judge and the Registrar of the High Court), Using BNM (Bank Negara Malaysia) logo and also using Jabatan Warisan Negara name without their consent.
On 1st April 2012, Malaysia new numismatic club has been established; Kelab Warisan Numismatik. The President of the new club is Dato' Sharuddin Yusof, a blogger at sharuddin58.blogspot.com. If you're interested to join the new club, you can sms/email Dato' Sharuddin with your name, address, phone number and Identity Card number at sharuddin58@gmail.com or 019-9185858. You can also go to his blog Galeri Sha Banknote to learn more about the new club. You can also contact Hamdan Bin Abd. Ghani at 013-9397888 for registration.
In May 2012:
Perth Mint has released a special commemorative coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe passing. The coin struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality, the Marilyn Monroe™ coin depicts a photographic image of the actress set against a background of film with stars. The design also includes a representation of Marilyn’s signature and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The coin only have 12,500 pieces mintage and will be presented in a prestigious display case illustrated with the image of Marilyn Monroe and a film roll.
In June 2012:
A Swedish online news, The local reported a story about fake Sweden whore king coin. The fake coin found by 72-year-old Karin Mattsson from Piteå in northern Sweden on Tuesday. The counterfeit Sweden one krona coin have a text that mocking their king, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf. The writing on the King's head on Mattson's coin read as “Vår horkarl till Kung”, wheich means “Our whorer of a King”. The normal coin text suppose to be “Carl XVI Gustaf Sveriges Konung”, which means "Carl XVI Gustaf Sweden’s King".
In July 2012:
Evita Peron 100 peso banknote to commemorate her 60th anniversary of her death has been unveil by Argentine President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The new banknote inspired by 1952 Argentina 5 Pesos bill which has been design after Evita death but when the military dictatorship took power in 1955, the banknote has been withdrawn. The new bills will be legal tender but there is no information about how many banknotes would be issued or when they would enter circulation. She's the first woman to appear on any Argentine banknote.
On 16 July 2012, Malaysia 4th series banknotes are released for general circulation by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Malaysia 4th series banknotes has been launched by Malaysia Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak at Sasana Kijang on 28 December 2011 with $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. The latest series of Malaysian banknotes draws its inspiration from elements which distinctively define the country's diverse culture, heritage and nature. On the obverse side, all banknote denominations in the new series retain the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad, the national flower Rosa-sinensis hibiscus (known locally as the 'Bunga Raya') and patterns of traditional woven fabric - the 'songket'.
On 20 July 2012, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has released a list of 77 illegal Investment Company which are neither authorised nor approved under the relevant laws and regulations administered by BNM. The list only serves as a guide to members of the public based on information and queries received by BNM. Most of the company in the list are Illegal Foreign Exchange Trading Scheme and Illegal gold investment company. The company/individual listed as illegal because they're not an authorised dealer or has not obtained the permission of the Controller of Foreign Exchange under the Exchange Control Act 1953 (ECA).
In August 2012:
A coveted 1873-CC No Arrows Liberty Seated dime graded PCGS MS-65 sold for a record $1.84 million USD by Stack's Bowers Galleries to anonymous bidder. Make it as the world's most expensive dime ever sold at auction. The unique Carson city 1873 dime is the only survivor from 12,400 coins minted for that year. All the other coins were melted to make a new coin. The sale of the Battle Born Collection took place as part of Stack's Bowers Galleries Rarities Night Auction at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
In September 2012:
An International dealer of gold coins and bullion Robert Jaggard won a 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign at London Auction for a record price AUD$1.02 million (£650,000). Making it the most expensive Australian gold coin in the world. Robert Jaggard, made the record breaking bid by phone from Sydney on behalf of a private Australian collector. The anonymous winning bidder has now completed his collection of Australian sovereigns. only three 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign held by private collectors and there's only a couple more in museums around the world.
In October 2012:
Genneva Malaysia office raided by BNM (Bank negara Malaysia) on 1st October 2012. Bank Negara start the raid operation starting at 8am in Putrajaya with a briefing to all the other agencies before the simultaneous raids were conducted. All Genneva staff statements are recorded in the operation and they only allowed to leave the office at about 9pm. Some of the raid officers were seen carting away hundred boxes of documents and files from the two premises located opposite each other. The Raid headed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) with cooperation from the Royal Malaysian Police, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism and Companies Commission of Malaysia. Singapore’s Commercial Affairs Department has also conducted a similar operation against Genneva Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. In a statement released later, Bank Negara said the raid was to probe suspected offences under the laws administered by the agencies.
A Malaysia RM500 Cipan (Malayan Tapir) Conservation Proof 1976 gold coin (KN6) graded PCGS PR69 DCAM with a realized price of SD6400 at Monetarium Auction in Singapore on 26-10-2012 has become the most expensive Malaysia commemorative coin won in auction. The total price for the coin including 15% auction premium is approximately RM18,403. The highest price paid so far in auction for any Malaysia commemorative coin or Malaysia gold coin.
In November 2012:
On 24 November 2012, Bonhams during the sale of Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art in Hong Kong make a record for the most expensive China coin in auction. The 'Zhang Zuolin' 50 Yuan gold coin sold for HK$4,100,000 (US$529,032). For a record, the only second-known example of a Chang Tso-Lin (Zhang Zuolin) 50 Yuan gold piece, dated 1927 was sold in Hong Kong for US$500,000 in 2008. The gold coin was consigned for sale by a direct descendant of the famous Chinese leader who is portrayed on the coin. This coin is one of only two known examples, and much finer in appearance than the other known example, graded SP64+ by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service).
There are also news about fake RM50 and RM100 notes circulating in Malacca in November. Eight individuals, including four foreigners believed to be involved in a counterfeit money scam worth almost RM10,000 has been arrested by Mallaca police. Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief of Malacca, Supt Soh Hock Sing said, all of them aged between 22 and 26 years were arrested after detection by the bank and supermarket workers. According to him, all the seized counterfeit currency involving RM100 91 pieces of paper, 17 pieces of RM50 notes and two pieces of RM10 notes.
In December 2012:
On 5 December 2012, a Richard III coin sold for £36,000 at Spink's Ancient, English & Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals two day sale in London. The historic gold coin discovered near the site of the famous Battle of Bosworth in Leicestershire, bearing Richard III's personal emblem of the boar. It is conceivable that the owner of this coin was involved in the events of August 1485 and the battle of Bosworth. Other details on the coin feature St. Michael spearing a dragon and on the reverse, a ship on the waves, with a shield and crucifix above it.
