Friday, February 19, 2010

Sierra Leone 2009 Remember Michael Jackson: 1958 – 2009 Coin


The sudden death of superstar Michael Jackson in June 2009 shocked the world and the Bank of Sierra Leone has released a coin to honour the life of one of the world’s greatest performers. Michael Jackson started performing at the age of six as part of ‘The Jackson 5’ with his four brothers. He went on to become one of the best-selling musical artists of all time and his 1982 album ‘Thriller’ is still the most successful album of all time, having sold 110 million copies worldwide. A global icon for over four decades, Michael Jackson was as famous for his dancing and trademark clothes, including the solo white glove and hat, as he was for his singing. In March 2009, he announced that he would be doing a number of concert dates at the O2 arena in London, called ‘This is it’ during July and August and they were a sell-out. Unfortunately, on 25th June 2009, Michael Jackson suffered a heart-attack at his home in Los Angeles and never regained consciousness. He has left behind a legacy of music that still sounds as fresh and relevant as it did twenty years ago. The design of the coin features a portrait of Michael Jackson with the wording ‘1958 Michael Jackson 2009’ in the surround. The obverse of the coin features the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Coat of Arms and is available in Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver.

Source: Pobjoy

Monday, February 15, 2010

Ole Bull 10-krone Norway commemorative coin 2010









Ole Bornemann Bull was born on 5 February 1810 in Bergen and died on 17 August 1880. A celebrated Norwegian violinist and composer of international renown, his impassioned dedication to traditional Norwegian folk music played a prominent role in the development of a distinctively Norwegian culture following the dissolution of the union with Denmark in 1814.
In the course of his long career, Ole Bull travelled extensively, performing all over the world, and composed a total of more than 70 works, including Recuerdos de Habana, Et Sæterbesøg, Sætergjentens søndag, I ensomme Stunde and Polacca Guerriera. He also supported and encouraged young Norwegian classical musicians such as Edvard Grieg, Erika Nissen, Agathe Backer Grøndahl and Rikard Nordraak.





Design and technical specifications
Diameter: 24.0 mm
Thickness: 2.0 mm
Weight: 6.8 g
Alloy: 81% Cu, 10% Zn, 9% Ni
Edge: Alternate plain/milled





Obverse (heads side):
The obverse features a portrait of H.M. King Harald V facing right. Around the portrait is the inscription: HARALD V NORGES KONGE. At the lower left edge of the portrait is the artist’s signature, IAR. Below the portrait is the year 2010 with Det Norske Myntverkets (Mint of Norway’s) mintmark, the crossed pick and hammer, placed between the first two and last two digits.





Reverse (tails side):
The design on the reverse features Ole Bull’s portrait fused with part of a sheet of music from his composition ”Seterjentens søndag”, one of Bull’s most famous compositions, with his name (OLE BULL), the anniversary year (200 ÅR) and the coin’s denomination (10 kr) to the right. These elements form a decorative and rhythmic whole. Below the denomination is the designer’s signature, WG.





The coin's obverse was designed by Ingrid Austlid Rise, designer at Det Norske Myntverket AS (Mint of Norway). The reverse was designed by sculptor Wenche Gulbransen. 10-krone coins in the standard design will not be issued in 2010.








Source: Norges bank