Beautiful World Coins

The 450th Anniversary of Postal Service in Poland 2008 Silver Proof Coin

The National Bank of Poland just issued a beautiful 2008 silver proof 10 zlotych coin with holographic image commemorating the 450th Anniversary of postal service in Poland. The hologram on the obverse shows a stylized image of a mounted post rider on horse playing the trumpet. The reverse shows a stylized image of a 16th century post courier.

On October 18th, 1558, king Sigismundus II Augustus (Zygmunt August) issued an official legal act concerning Polish postal service. This day is recognized as the beginning of the post in Poland. The first regular postal service ran from Cracow via Vienna and Graz to Venice; a letter took 9 days to reach the addressee. A few years later, postal services were established between Cracow and Vilnius.

Mint: Warsaw

Year: 2008

Face value: 10 zlotych

Finish: Proof with hologram

Composition: 92.5% silver

Size: 32 mm

Weight: 14.14 grams

Mintage: 135,000

An Australian Silver Coin for People born in the Year of the Ox

The Perth Mint issued the second coin in its popular Australian Lunar Series II : the 2009 Year of the Ox silver proof coin. This 99.9% pure silver coin features an ox and a calf standing on grass with hills in the background, as well as the inscription ‘Year of the Ox’ and the Chinese character for ‘ox’.

The ancient Chinese Lunar Calendar dates back beyond 2,600 BC. Based on the appearance of the new moon, it associates a different animal with each year in the 12-year lunar cycle. Each animal is believed to influence the personality of the people born under its ‘rule’. People born in any year of the ox – including 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009, are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed.

The first coin in the Australian Lunar Series II was the 2008 Year of the Mouse and featured two mice on a bed of straw with pumpkins in the background.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2009

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 41.1 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000