Beautiful World Coins

The first of the Australian Bush Babies Coin Series: The 2010 Baby Kangaroo Silver Proof Coin

Issued by the Perth Mint as part of the new Australian Bush Babies Series, this 2010 silver proof coin shows the adorable wide-eyed innocence of a young kangaroo.

Colored coin designs have never looked more delightful and charming than on the coins from this new Perth Mint series portraying cute and cuddly Australian baby animals. The first Australian Bush Babies coin depicts Australian artist Elise Martinson’s gorgeous interpretation of an infant kangaroo. The next four coins in this series will portray a baby sugar glider, a dingo, a bilby and a koala.

This coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse includes representations of Australian native flowers and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse of each coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the silver content, the face value and the 2010 year-date.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Proof with Colored Reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 36.6 mm

Weight: 15.591 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The latest in the Animals of the World Series: The 2010 Lesser Horseshoe Bat Silver Proof Coin

The National Bank of Poland just issued their latest coin in the Animals of the World Series. It features the lesser horseshoe bat and shows flying bats, a wooden shed, and silhouettes of bats hanging upside down.

The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) belongs to the family of horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae). Currently, the genus consists of 77 species, five of which inhabit Europe. In Poland, the habitat of the lesser horseshoe bat covers the Kraków-Częstochowa Highland, the Polish Carpathian mountains (excluding the Tatras) and the Polish Sudety mountains. Single specimens have been spotted in Podkarpacie and Śląsk Opolski area. The most numerous population inhabits the Beskidy mountains. The lesser horseshoe bat (average weight: 4–8 grams) is one of the smallest bats living in Poland. Its fur is soft and fluffy, light brown or grey- and-brown on the dorsal side; the bat’s ventral fur is paler and greyish. Juveniles are coloured darker than adult bats.

According to the Polish Red Data Book of Animals, the species is classified as an endangered species. Adramatic decline in the population of horseshoe bats in Europe (in Poland, reaching over 90%) took place in 1950s–1980s. This came as a consequence of a widespread use of highly toxic pesticides, both in agriculture and forestry. Currently, the population of the lesser horseshoe bat appears to have reached a stable number, and showing an increase in some locations. Nevertheless, it remains a species highly in danger of extinction.

Mint: Warsaw

Year: 2010

Face value: 20 zlotych

Finish: Proof

Composition: 92.5% Silver

Size: 38.61 mm

Weight: 28.28 grams

Mintage: 100,000

The 2010 Water Lily Silver Proof 20 Dollar Coin has three Crystal Elements!

The Royal Canadian Mint introduces this beautiful 2010 Water Lily silver proof $20 coin to create a unique keepsake of Canada’s diverse flora. The water lily (Nymphaea odorata) is a beautiful water plant that crowns Laurentian lakes from early summer to mid-autumn with showy pink or white flowers and round green leaves that can reach up to 28 cm (11 in) in diameter. 

The water lily is related to the lotus, hailed the loveliest of flowers with powerful symbolism in cultures throughout the world. Much of this symbolism is attributed to the flower’s ability to emerge from the depths of muddy waters to bring life and beauty to the surface—an image that inspired the ancient Egyptian myth of a world created out of moisture. Throughout North America, many First Nations communities used the water lily’s roots, leaves and flowers for medicinal purposes. Even the rhizomes, young leaves and lower buds were eaten and the seeds were fried or ground into flour. 

This intriguing beauty also caught the attention of Brother Marie-Victorin (1885-1944), one of Canada’s greatest botanists and founder of Montreal’s historic Botanical Garden. He included the water lily in one of the 2,800 illustrations in his book Flore laurentienne—a monumental work that remains a cornerstone reference in university botany courses to this day.

The reverse of this coin shows a beautiful water lily poised between two floating leaves with three CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements, "CANADA", "20 DOLLARS", and the year of issue. The obverse shows the fourth design of the Queen’s effigy, "ELIZABETH II", and "D.G.REGINA".

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2010

Face value: 20 Dollars

Finish: Proof, with color and three Swarovski Elements on the reverse

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The 2010 Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Silver Proof Dollar Coin

The United States Mint commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America with this 2010 silver proof coin featuring a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout and a female Venturer.

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its centennial anniversary on February 8, 2010. It's the largest youth organization in the United States with 2.8 million youth members and 1.1 million adult leaders in the programs of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Venturing. Founded in 1910, the organization was granted a federal charter in 1916 by an Act of Congress signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is "to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law." Every day across our Nation, Scouts and their leaders pledge to live up to the promise in the Scout Oath—"On my honor I will do my best, To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight"—and the Scout Law, according to which a Scout is "Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent."

Annually, scouts and their leaders volunteer over 35 million hours of service to their communities through more than 75,000 service projects, meeting a wide range of needs in the areas of food, shelter, education and environmental conservation. Surcharges from this commemorative coin program are authorized to be paid to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, which will make funds available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of scouting in hard-to-serve areas.

The obverse of this coin features a Cub Scout, with a Boy Scout and female Venturer in the background saluting. It represents the Boy Scouts of America of today, as the organization has recognized the need to include other programs for younger boys (cub scouts) and older boys and girls (venturers), reflecting the great diversity of our nation. Inscriptions are CONTINUING THE JOURNEY, 1910, 2010, IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. The reverse design depicts the Boy Scouts of America's universal emblem. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, BE PREPARED, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR.

Mint: Philadelphia

Year: 2010

Face value: 1 Dollar

Finish: Proof

Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Size: 38.1 mm

Weight: 26.73 grams

Mintage: 350,000 (across all product options)

Play the Ultimate Coins Game on your iPhone or iPod Touch!

Ultimate Coins Game is a new and exciting iPhone/iPod touch game, and a really fun diversion for anybody interested in world coins. This rapidly addictive game includes more than 80 levels, and uses detailed and realistic coins from the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, Japan, Brazil, and more! Not only can you move the coins with your fingers, but you can also shake your device to move them, just like you would actually do with a pocketful of change. What's really cool about it is that you get to see and manipulate various world coins without having to purchase them.

Specific challenges require you to collect coins of the same type, match the price tag, or match a coin to the corresponding country flag by selecting it as the coin rolls across the screen. You have a limited amount of time to win each level and obtain silver or gold coins as rewards for your speed and accuracy!

Written by Flavio Passa, this game is available on iTunes for your iPhone or iPod Touch. Give it a try, you'll love it!

The 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Proof Dollar Coin

The United States Mint commemorates our disabled veterans’ courage, loyalty and sacrifice with this 2010 silver proof coin featuring an image of the legs and boots of three veterans.

The American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act was passed by Congress and authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue commemorative silver dollar coins in proof and uncirculated versions to honor these heroes. The images on the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar capture the service of the brave men and women who have honored us with their selfless duty to defend our country. These veterans often carry permanent life-altering disabilities that serve as strong reminders of the price of freedom. Surcharges from the sale of this coin are authorized to be paid to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation to support the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The obverse of this coin features an image of the legs and boots of three veterans. The inscription in the banner along the upper rim, THEY STOOD UP FOR US, pays tribute to our courageous disabled veterans who have survived military service injuries for our freedom. Additional inscriptions are IN GOD WE TRUST, 2010 and LIBERTY. The reverse design depicts a forget-me-not flower at the base of a wreath wrapped in a ribbon that cradles and supports clusters of oak branches. The oak branches represent strength, while the forget-me-not is a widely recognized icon that first served as a reminder of those who fought and became disabled in World War I. The inscriptions are Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR.

Mint: West Point

Year: 2010

Face value: 1 Dollar

Finish: Proof

Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Size: 38.1 mm

Weight: 26.73 grams

Mintage: 350,000 (across all product options)

Coins for the Polish Olympic Team at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

The National Bank of Poland just issued three coins commemorating the Polish Olympic Team at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Poland is expecting ambitious performances, new personal and national records and sportsmanlike conduct from Polish winter athletes.

For the first time in history, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games will be held in a closed-roof stadium. The first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France, in January and February 1924. They were then held as the International Winter Sports Week events, and were officially proclaimed the First Winter Olympic Games only a year later. The Polish national team, present at the competition among 16 national teams, consisted of only nine sportsmen.

All three coins show a stylized image of a maple leaf, a stylized logo of the Polish Olympic Committee, POLSKA REPREZENTACJA OLIMPIJSKA VANCOUVER 2010 (Polish Olympic Team Vancouver 2010), the face value, a stylized image of a snowflake, RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA (Republic of Poland), the year of issue, an image of the Eagle established as the emblem of the Republic of Poland, and the Mint’s mark. The gold coin shows a male cross-country skier. The silver coin shows two male speed skaters and a male biathlete. The 2Zl coin shows a male ski jumper.

Mint: Warsaw

Year: 2010

Face value: 200, 10 and 2 zlotych

Finish: Proof (200Zt, 10Zt) and Standard (2Zt)

Composition: 90% Gold (200Zt), 92.5% Silver (10Zt) and 89% Copper, 5% Zinc, 5% Aluminum, 1% Nickel (2Zt)

Size: 27 mm (200Zt, 2Zt) and 32 mm (10Zt)

Weight: 15.5 grams (200Zt), 14.14 grams (10Zt) and 8.15 grams (2Zt)

Mintage: 8,000 (200Zt), 80,000 (10Zt), and 1,400,000 (2Zt)

The Colorful 2010 Clownfish Silver Proof Coin from Australia

Issued by the Perth Mint as part of the Australian Sea Life Series, this 2010 silver proof coin shows a clownfish, one of the most eagerly anticipated sights of any dive on Australia’s world-famous tropical reef systems.

Bright orange with three black-bordered white stripes, this remarkable fish has natural protection from the stinging cells on the waving tentacles of the sea anemone in which it prefers to live. Growing up to 8 cm in length, Clownfish occur in sheltered tropical waters, including the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

Like the other releases from this Australian Sea Life Series celebrating five fascinating reef dwellers (the 2009 Lionfish, the 2009 Leafy Sea Dragon, the 2010 Seahorse and the 2010 Moray Eel), this coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse of each coin includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

 

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Proof with Colored Reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 26.6 mm

Weight: 15.573 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The Pheidippidis' Marathon Run 2,500th Anniversary 2010 Silver Proof High-Relief Coin

Issued by the Perth Mint as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the Pheidippidis' Marathon Run 2,500th Anniversary Silver Proof High-Relief Coin features Pheidippidis’ arrival in Athens at the end of his famous run, where legend suggests he proclaimed victory with the word “nenikhkamen” (we have won) before expiring.

According to tradition, this year marks the 2,500th anniversary of Pheidippidis’ 25-mile run to Athens with news of the Greek army’s historic triumph at the Battle of Marathon in 490BC. His remarkable long-distance achievement inspired the introduction of Olympic marathon running in 1896, and has also influenced countless ordinary joggers to attempt the grueling 26.22 miles at one of today’s many high-profile marathon events.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with High-Relief Reverse & Obverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 32.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000

The 2010 Year of the Tiger Silver Proof Lunar Lotus Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint introduces this beautiful 2010 Year of the Tiger Silver Proof $15 Coin, the first coin in a 12-year series featuring unique scalloped-shaped coins, reminiscent of a lotus flower.

The Year of the Tiger also ruled 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998. However, people born in January or February should consult the Chinese lunar calendar. New Year does not automatically fall on January 1st. This celebration is better known as the Spring Festival and coincides with the first day of spring—a date that shifts from year to year depending upon the lunar cycle and solar year.

The year 2010 is ruled by the Tiger, a majestic animal. The Tiger personality is equally impressive; powerful and daring. Expect a lot of activity when the dynamic Tiger is in your midst. The Tiger is restless and reckless, always ready for action. His zest for life is contagious. The Tiger is incredibly funny, impulsive and sometimes quick-tempered. He may not be the most objective leader, but his fiery passion and fearlessness ultimately capture people’s admiration and respect.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2010

Face value: 15 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 26.29 grams

Mintage: 19,888