All euro area countries are issuing a two-euro commemorative coin to celebrate the 10th anniversary of economic and monetary union in Europe. The obverse side of the coin shows a stick figure which merges into the euro symbol and ‘EMU 1999 – 2009’. The obverse side of the Finnish coin also has the text ‘SUOMI FINLAND 2009’ and the lettering ‘Talous- ja rahaliitto EMU’ written around the edge of the coin. The reverse of the coin is identical to that of existing two-euro coins in circulation. A total of 1,400,000 of the new commemorative coins will be struck in Finland. The Bank of Finland will issue around half of the total batch through normal currency supply channels and the other half through Finnish commercial banks as wholesale deliveries. Most of the new coins will enter circulation as change given in retail outlets, though they will also be available for purchase in coin shops. The coins will be put into circulation in early January. The commemorative coins will be legal tender in all euro area countries.
Source : Bank of Finland
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
10 levs 2008.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
nominal value BGN 10
metal silver, purity 999/1000 with partial gold plating on the outer circle on both sides of the coin issue 2008
quality proof
weigh 20 g
diameter 40 mm
edge smooth
mintage 8,000
The obverse of the coin features the logo of the Bulgarian National Bank in the inner circle, with the year “1879” written on the ribbon and the nominal value of the coin “10 ЛЕВА” (10 levs). In circumference in the outer circle is the wording "БЪЛГАРСКА НАРОДНА БАНКА" and the year of issue "2008".
The reverse of the coin features the image of the broze head of the Thracian king Sevt III found in 2004 near Kazanlak. In circumference in the outer circle there is the text „СЪКРОВИЩАТА НА БЪЛГАРИЯ” (‘BULGARIA’S TREASURES’) and below it – „СЕВТ ІІІ” (‘SEVT III’).
Source Bulgarian National Bank
Monday, March 9, 2009
One pound 2009
The new £1 coin bears on its reverse a rendition of the heraldic shield of the Royal Arms by Matthew Dent. Only the third version of the Royal Arms to appear on the £1 coin since 1983, while the obverse features the familiar portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. The edge features lettering with the Latin inscription reading DECUS ET TUTAMEN, meaning 'an ornament and a safeguard, this first appeared on the edge of coins of Charles II to deter the unscrupulous practice of clipping and shaving precious metal from the coins. Struck in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, the £1 coin is housed in a full-colour presentation folder detailing the rich history of the shield of the Royal Arms design and the inspiration behind choosing this shield for the new UK coinage.
As a powerful symbol of royal authority, the Royal Arms in various forms have featured on the coinage of every monarch since the reign of Edward III (1327-77). Coins were, and still are, issued under the personal authority of the monarch and came to be regarded as vehicles for royal imagery, whether in the form of a portrait or a monarch’s personal coat of arms. As heraldry itself started to grow as a symbol of royal identity, it was a natural progression for the Royal Arms to appear on the coinage. It is not surprising therefore that Matthew Dent, the winning designer, chose the Royal Arms, and in particular a shield of the Royal Arms, as the theme for his innovative range of new designs, with all four quarters spread over the six coins from the 1p to the 50p. Completing the new range of coins is the £1 coin featuring the shield of the Royal Arms in its entirety, uniting the six elements into one design.
Denom. £1
Alloy Nickel Brass
Weight 9.5 gms
Diameter 22.5 mm
Designer (Reverse) Matthew Dent
Designer (Obverse) Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
Edge Inscription Decus et Tutamen
Source http://www.blogger.com/www.Royalmint.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
10 years of Euro
For the second time in its short history, all eurozone member states will issue a €2 coin with a common design also on the national side. In 2007, the issue celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, while this new €2 coin celebrates ten years of economic and monetary union (EMU).EU citizens and residents have selected the new design by an on-line vote. The design symbolizes the euro as the latest step in the long history of European economic integration, and was created by Mr. G. Stamatopoulos, sculptor at the Minting Department of the Bank of Greece.The center of the reverse shows a stylized human figure whose left arm is prolonged by the euro symbol. The initials ΓΣ of the artist appear below the euro symbol. The name of the issuing country written in the national language(s) appear(s) at the top, while the legend “1999-2009” and the acronym EMU translated into the national language(s) appear at the bottom. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Poland 2 zloty coin 2009
Metal CuAL Zn Snl alloy
diameter 27 mm
Weight 8.15 g
mintage (volume) 1.400.000 pcs
Obverse: An image of the Eagle established as the State Emblem of the Republic of Poland; on the sides of the Eagle the notation of the year of issue, 20-09; below the Eagle an inscription, ZŁ 2 ZŁ, in the rim an inscription, RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA, preceded and followed by six pearls. The Mint’s mark, M/W, under the Eagle’s left leg.
Reverse: A stylized image of the hussar of the 17th century, on horseback, in armour, with the
hussar’s wing and leopard skin on the back, carrying a lance with a pennant. On the left-hand side, a semicircular inscription, HUSARZ – XVII w.
On the edge: an inscription, NBP, repeated eight times, every second one inverted by 180
degrees, separated by stars.
Obverse designed by: Ewa Tyc-Karpińska
Reverse designed by: ANDR ZEJ NO WAKOWSKI
Source National bank of Poland
diameter 27 mm
Weight 8.15 g
mintage (volume) 1.400.000 pcs
Obverse: An image of the Eagle established as the State Emblem of the Republic of Poland; on the sides of the Eagle the notation of the year of issue, 20-09; below the Eagle an inscription, ZŁ 2 ZŁ, in the rim an inscription, RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA, preceded and followed by six pearls. The Mint’s mark, M/W, under the Eagle’s left leg.
Reverse: A stylized image of the hussar of the 17th century, on horseback, in armour, with the
hussar’s wing and leopard skin on the back, carrying a lance with a pennant. On the left-hand side, a semicircular inscription, HUSARZ – XVII w.
On the edge: an inscription, NBP, repeated eight times, every second one inverted by 180
degrees, separated by stars.
Obverse designed by: Ewa Tyc-Karpińska
Reverse designed by: ANDR ZEJ NO WAKOWSKI
Source National bank of Poland
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sweden 1 krona, 2009
The obverse of the coin shows a portrait of King Carl XVI Gustaf in profile and the text “CARL XVI GUSTAF •SVERIGES KONUNG” (Carl XVI Gustaf King of Sweden). Under the portrait is the year the coin was struck.
The reverse of the coin has a special strike consisting of a symbolic depiction of the sea as a link connecting Sweden and Finland. The upper edge contains the quotation “DEN UNDERBARA SAGAN OM ETT LAND PÅ ANDRA SIDAN HAFVET” (the wonderful tale of a land beyond the sea), taken from Anton Rosell´s book “Studentbesöket i Finland”. The lower edge carries the text "SVERIGE 1809 2009 FINLAND", the initials of the Riksbank Governor ("SI"), the first letter of the region where the coin is issued and the initials of the designer ("AWJ"). The denomination "1 KR" is at middle of the lower edge.
The edge of the coin is milled. The coin is silver-colored. The coin is designed by artist Ernst Nordin (obverse) and Annie Winblad Jakubowski (reverse).
Metal content: Alloy of 75 % copper and 25 % nickel
Weight: 7.00 grammas
Diameter: 25.00 millimeters
Border thickness: 1.88 millimeters
Source: Sweden National Bank
Monday, January 26, 2009
Grading coins
Lets see how the Standard Catalog of World Coins attempts to guide us through grading.
''In grading coins, there are two elements to look for: 1) Overall wear, and 2) loss of design details, such as strands of hair, feathers on eagles, designs on coats of arms, etc. The age, rarity or type of a coin should not be a consideration in grading, Grade each coin by the weaker of the two sides. Grade by the amount of overall wear and loss of design detail evident on each side of the coin. On coins with a moderately small design element, which is prone to early wear, grade by that design alone.
For Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) grades there will be no visible signs of wear or handling, even under 30-power microscope. Full mint luster will be present. Ideally no bag marks will be evident.
For Uncirculated (Unc.) grades there will be no visible signs of wear or handling, even under a 30-power microscope. Bag marks may be present.
For Almost Uncirculated (AU), all detail will be visible. There will be wear only on the highest point of the coin. There will often be half or nore of the original mint luster present.
On the Extremely fine (XF) coin, there will be about 95% of the original detail visible. Or, on a coin with a design with no inner detail to wear down, there will be a very light wear over nearly all the coin. If a small design is used as the grading area, about 90% of the original detail will be visible. This latter rule stems from the logic that a smaller amount of detail needs to be present because a small area is being used to grade the whole coin.
The Very Fine (VF) coin will have about 75% of the original detail visible. Or, on a coin with no inner detail, there will be moderate wear over the entire coin. Corners of letters and numbers may be weak. A small grading area will have about 66% of the original detail.
For Fine (F), there will be about 50% of the original detail visible. Or, on a coin with no inner detail, there will be fairly heavy wear over all the coin. Sides of letters will be weak. A typically uncleaned coin will often appear as dirty of dull. A small grading area will have just under 50% of the original detail.
On the Very Good (VG) coin, there will be about 25% of the original detail visible. There will be heavy wear on all the coin.
The Good (G) coin's design will be clearly outlined but with substantial wear. Some of the larger detail may be visible. The rim may have a few weak spots of wear.
On the About Good (AG) coin, there will be typically be only a silhouette of a large design. The rim will be worn down into the letters if any. ''
''In grading coins, there are two elements to look for: 1) Overall wear, and 2) loss of design details, such as strands of hair, feathers on eagles, designs on coats of arms, etc. The age, rarity or type of a coin should not be a consideration in grading, Grade each coin by the weaker of the two sides. Grade by the amount of overall wear and loss of design detail evident on each side of the coin. On coins with a moderately small design element, which is prone to early wear, grade by that design alone.
For Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) grades there will be no visible signs of wear or handling, even under 30-power microscope. Full mint luster will be present. Ideally no bag marks will be evident.
For Uncirculated (Unc.) grades there will be no visible signs of wear or handling, even under a 30-power microscope. Bag marks may be present.
For Almost Uncirculated (AU), all detail will be visible. There will be wear only on the highest point of the coin. There will often be half or nore of the original mint luster present.
On the Extremely fine (XF) coin, there will be about 95% of the original detail visible. Or, on a coin with a design with no inner detail to wear down, there will be a very light wear over nearly all the coin. If a small design is used as the grading area, about 90% of the original detail will be visible. This latter rule stems from the logic that a smaller amount of detail needs to be present because a small area is being used to grade the whole coin.
The Very Fine (VF) coin will have about 75% of the original detail visible. Or, on a coin with no inner detail, there will be moderate wear over the entire coin. Corners of letters and numbers may be weak. A small grading area will have about 66% of the original detail.
For Fine (F), there will be about 50% of the original detail visible. Or, on a coin with no inner detail, there will be fairly heavy wear over all the coin. Sides of letters will be weak. A typically uncleaned coin will often appear as dirty of dull. A small grading area will have just under 50% of the original detail.
On the Very Good (VG) coin, there will be about 25% of the original detail visible. There will be heavy wear on all the coin.
The Good (G) coin's design will be clearly outlined but with substantial wear. Some of the larger detail may be visible. The rim may have a few weak spots of wear.
On the About Good (AG) coin, there will be typically be only a silhouette of a large design. The rim will be worn down into the letters if any. ''
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