Australia’s iconic Koala coins are more popular than ever. The Perth Mint of Australia has launched a new coin series of 2008 proof gold Koalas, its first Gilded Koala and their second pure silver Koala. Each bullion coin depicts the "cuddly" koala and her baby sitting on a tree branch.

All coin versions bear the same obverse or heads design with Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, are Australian legal tender, and include the "P" mint mark, denoting The Perth Mint. Read the rest of this entry »

A treasure hunter who discovered nearly 500 silver Viking coins by metal detecting on the Isle of Man will finally receive $600,000 in compensation.

Andy Whewell found 464 silver Viking coins, 26 silver ingots and an armlet in a field in Glenfaba in March 2003.

The coins were declared Treasure Trove in August of that year, with resulting expectations of receiving fair market value for the hoard.

However, Whewell and Manx National Heritage, the government agency responsible for protecting and promoting the cultural historical heritage of the Isle of Man, could not come to an agreement over the value of the coins and other artifacts.

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American Numismatic Association Members Survey Indicates a Preference for Shows in Baltimore and Chicago sites.

ANA members favored Baltimore and Chicago as potential convention sites in an e-mail survey distributed July 3 by the American Numismatic Association.

The survey, conducted by the ANA as a result of dealer and member feedback regarding the selection of convention sites, was spearheaded by the ANA Convention Committee, chaired by Carl Schwenker, and prepared by ANA staff.

The survey, which was emailed to active, paid members, measured attitudes about convention site selection, criteria for site locations and the components of conventions that contribute to the overall show experience.

"We felt that a survey would provide invaluable information to help guide the Board of Governors and staff as they prepare proposals and select sites for future ANA conventions," said Executive Director Larry Shepherd.

"As a member-based organization, the ANA must, whenever possible, make informed decisions based on input from its members."

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