Standing out in the latest batch of US Mint sales figures is an eyebrow raising increase for the 18-coin clad 2009 Proof Set.

After a double-take, the numbers were verified as true. Another 106,987 were purchased during the prior seven days ending on Sunday.

The new total stands at an impressive 684,412 sold in the first 28 days. The increase was the best ever, with the exception of launch week. Why the jump? Look to Mint marketing. Postcards advertising the sets hit collector mailboxes en masse last week, reminding the public to buy. They did.

Demand for the 2009 Lincoln Formative Years cents had softened of late. While nothing to scream home about, sales of the two-roll sets actually climbed a smidgen last week. 8,704 more were purchased, raising the new tally to 276,234. There was a gain of 7,912 during the prior week. Read the rest of this entry »

With a triumphant win in the State of Origin on Wednesday night and having Queensland Day on this Saturday, Queenslanders definitely have a few reasons to celebrate.

To help those from up north celebrate being a Queenslander the Royal Australian Mint has released a stunning new coin which especially honours the 150th anniversary of self-government for Queensland.

On 6 June 1859 Queen Victoria signed Letters Patent separating Queensland from the colony of New South Wales. This date is now celebrated as Queensland Day. Read the rest of this entry »

Lincoln Rail Splitter cents are still in demand, Braille Silver Dollar sales surge, Puerto Rico quarters are expired and UHR $20 gold coins continue mostly at their regular pace.

Repeating what most coin collectors already know, the Lincoln Rail Splitter cent went on sale Thursday, May 14. By Sunday, 200,055 of the two-roll sets were sold, equating to more than 20 million pennies. Flash forward more than a week to the latest US Mint sales data… 22,771 more sets have sold for a total of 222,826. For background, read the CoinNews article from earlier this week entitled Lincoln Rail Splitter Sales “Normalizing”.

Two Braille Silver Dollars returned from their flight aboard space shuttle Atlantis on Sunday. During their orbital trip, sales of the coins experienced their own mini launch here on earth –although not to the 50,000 level the NFB wanted from the public. Still, 10,000 more Braille dollars were sold, which pushed the gas pedal down some. The proof jumped the most, rising a healthy 8.0 percent over the prior numbers. To date, 165,741 of the allotted 400,000 silver coins have been purchased Read the rest of this entry »

A collectable pure silver coin set launched by The Perth Mint has revived all but forgotten decimal designs produced more than 40 years ago. The coins portray the captivating artistry of Andor Mészáros (1900-1972), a leading contender in the Federal Government’s decimal coin design competition held in 1966.

The Melbourne-based sculptor and medallist proposed a thematically-linked series of wildlife designs portraying the black swan (20c), kookaburra (10c), platypus (5c), wattle (2c) and waratah (1c).

Competing against several artists, including Stuart Devlin, Andor’s artistry was ultimately unsuccessful in winning the competition. Yet, the Mint believed that many of its collectors would be fascinated by the tribute set, which provided a unique opportunity to admire and appreciate his significant contribution to Australian numismatics. Read the rest of this entry »

Offering the second coin in their Famous Battles series, The Perth Mint of Australia on Friday introduced the Battle of Cannae 216 BC 1 OZ Silver Proof Coin with a limited worldwide mintage of just 5,000. The Famous Battles series was launched with the Battle of Thermopylae 480BC coin, which met high demand and has already sold out.

The Battle of Cannae was a crushing defeat of the Roman army at the hands of Hannibal and his Carthaginian army. This battle would be the template of which many future commanders would strive to achieve. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, once wrote: Read the rest of this entry »

The Perth Mint on Friday launched the 2009 Perth Mint Gold Proof Sovereign, a modern Australian version of a world famous coin. Struck in 22-carat gold and in proof quality for collectors, the newly introduced coin is to be issued annually with an extremely limited worldwide mintage of just 2,500.

The sovereign was a crucial component to the British commerce and banking system and has a history dating back to the 15th century. The Perth Mint was a part of that history, producing more than 100 million of the coins during the reigns of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V. Read the rest of this entry »

Lincoln Formative Year cents are on fire, UHR $20 gold coins are selling at a level pace, demand for Braille Bicentennial Dollars has picked up slightly, and Puerto Rico quarter sales are mixed.

The second redesigned 2009 Lincoln cent went on sale Thursday, May 14. By Sunday, a mind-blasting 200,055 of the two-roll sets were sold. (See 20 Million Lincoln Rail Splitter Pennies Sold.)

Although the public is happier with improved access to the new pennies, collectors are generally disappointed as US Mint sales continue with no apparent end in sight, making the cents far from "scarce." In the Log Cabin penny launch, the Mint concluded sales after 96,000 of the two-roll sets were sold. Then, more than one collector was taken aback by the unexpected stoppage. With this series, the Mint is in an apparent no-win situation. Read the rest of this entry »

Australia’s first $1 coin turns 25 today and has become one of Australia’s most recognised coin designs.

In 1984 the ‘five kangaroos’ $1 coin design replaced the $1 note, adding another coin to Australia’s official decimal currency.

In preparation for the currency changeover, from note to coin, a variety of coin designs and shapes were considered including a seven-sided coin and a scalloped edge coin.

"Stuart Devlin, the Queen’s appointed goldsmith and jeweller, was invited to submit designs for the new $1 coin. His proposals featured Australian native fauna including a wombat, a penguin and the famous five kangaroos which are still used today," said Graham Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint. Read the rest of this entry »

Ultra High Relief (UHR) $20 gold coins break a new threshold and Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar sales soar, according to the latest US Mint sales report.

Ultra High Relief (UHR) $20 gold coin sales cooled off compared to the last figures, but rose above the magic 60,000 barrier. With an average price of around $1200 each, the total is quite impressive.

In a surprise for the second straight week, sales of Louis Braille Silver Dollars shot up… really shot up. Proofs jumped by 38.1 percent over the prior numbers, with 21,636 additional sold. The uncirculated options rose by nearly 30 percent, with 10,200 more purchased by collectors. Read the rest of this entry »

The Royal Australian Mint has released a new coin series titled Australia Remembers ahead of ANZAC Day which pays tribute to past and present Australians who played important roles during times of war, conflict and peacekeeping.

"It is fitting to release this new series today as the nation takes the time to reflect on and celebrate the enormous sacrifices made by our diggers and those people who have served and died for Australia," said Graham Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint.

The first coin released in the Australia Remembers series honours past and present Australian Service nurses. Read the rest of this entry »