Beautiful World Coins

The 2009 Summer Moon Mask $20 Silver Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint just issued this beautiful 2009 silver proof $20 coin featuring the Summer Moon Mask, inspired by an original red cedar mask carved by renowned Canadian artist Jody Broomfield of the Squamish Nation, Coast Salish Aboriginal people.

In North America, First Nations people felt an intimate connection with the moon and sought to capture its symbolism in their ceremonial masks. The Coast Salish people of British Columbia are known throughout the world for the powerful images they carved into wood; expressions of an ancient culture that are emerging as a popular art form today. These masks are a unique bridge to the spirit world with a sacred power that transcends time—and seen through the eyes of magic.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2009

Face value: 20 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The South Magnetic Pole 1909-2009 Pure Silver Proof Coin from Australia

The Perth Mint issued the sixth coin in its popular Australian Antarctic Territory Series: the 100th anniversary of the first expedition to reach South Magnetic Pole. This 2009 pure silver proof coin features Douglas Mawson and two Antarctic explorers against a blue sky.

Following an exhausting and dangerous sledging journey, Australian scientists Douglas Mawson and TW Edgeworth David, together with Scottish doctor Alistair Forbes Mackay, reached the position on 16 January 1909. Mawson, Australia’s most famous Antarctic explorer, was responsible for the magnetic observations and the cartographic work.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 7,500

The Queen of Spades $15 Silver Proof Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint recently issued the second of a colorful and unique series of playing cards silver coins: the 2008 Queen of Spades. The name "G DE PARIS" at the bottom is likely the name of the original artist while "PALLAS", top right, is believed to have been inspired by the Greek goddess Athena or Joan of Arc.

See the full series of $15 Playing Cards Silver Coins from Canada.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2008

Face value: 15 Dollars

Finish: Proof, with colored reverse and selective gold-plating on the edge

Composition: 92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper

Size: 49.8 mm x 28.6 mm (Vertical)

Weight: 31.56 grams

Mintage: 25,000

Cute Koalas on Silver Coins from Australia

In 2009, the Perth Mint will issue its third koala 1 oz silver coin. The first coin in this series was released in 2007 and offered for the first time the unique Perth Mint ‘shimmer’ background. Each of these bullion coins bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.

The koala is an herbivore marsupial native to Australia. It lives almost entirely on eucalyptus leaves and sleeps about 20 hours a day. It is one of the few mammals that has fingerprints.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: specimen

Composition: 99.99% silver

Size: 31.1 mm

Weight: 40.6 grams

Mintage: 137,764 (for the 2007 coin)