The Royal Australian Mint joined the celebratory kick off the 2008 NRL Telstra Premiership season by releasing new collector coins celebrating the centenary of Rugby League.

The Centenary of Rugby League coin series launched last November with the introduction of the $1 Uncirculated coin and is now followed by the $5 Silver Proof and $10 Gold Proof collector coins.

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The bimetallic Golden Eagle commemorative coin is now available from the Federal Mint Swissmint. The Golden Eagle coin is the second of four commemoratives released within the 4-year "Swiss National Park" commemorative series.

The design of the new coin portrays an eagle with wings spread, claws extended and body powerfully positioned to land. While the design by scientific illustrator Niklaus Heeb is majestic, the bimetallic composition of the coin is also intriguing.

The outer ring of the coin is made of aluminum-bronze and the inner core from copper-nickel. The eagles wings spreads through both outer ring and inner core, highlighting its landing approach.

The Mints selection of the golden eagle design is aptly understood by reading their description of the bird of prey.

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A blazing fast turnaround is not what you expect from the government, but that is exactly what the District of Columbia received.

D.C. city officials forwarded three commemorative quarter design proposals on Monday and on Wednesday, less than two full days later, the U.S. Mint promptly rejected them.

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The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) has their next public meeting March 13, 2008. A main responsibility for the CCAC is to review coin designs. It’s for this purpose they will next meet.

The key meeting agendas are reviewing coin designs for the new:

• Abraham Lincoln one-cent coins
• Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy commemorative coin
• and the redesign of the Native American $1 coins

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The pre-issue or introductory prices for the Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins end tomorrow, Feb. 14, at 5:00 pm (ET). While it will be easier to overlook the coming price differences for the 50c clad and $1 silver Bald Eagle coins, the gold version price changes will likely catch your eye.

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The euro became the official currency for participating countries on Jan. 1, 1999. Next year marks its 10-year anniversary and to celebrate a special commemorative 2-euro coin with a common design will be issued in early 2009 throughout all the euro-area countries.

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2008 State Quarter Proof Sets are now for sale by the United States Mint. The set cointains five proof quarters with their commemorative designs honoring:

• Oklahoma
• New Mexico
• Arizona
• Alaska
• Hawaii

These states represent the last to be honored in the 50 State Quarters® Program - a ten year program that started back in 1999 with the release of a new state quarter design every 10 weeks.

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Striking of the first Oklahoma state commemorative quarters began in the U.S. Mint’s Denver facility this week with a single ceremonial push of a button.

Oklahoma’s First Family was on hand to receive the very first shiny minted quarters. In a NewsOK.com article, Oklahoma’s image is in mint condition, Governor Brad Henry was quoted at the event saying:

“I think there’s tremendous Oklahoma pride here today,” Henry said after the ceremony. “Coming on the heels of the state centennial, I think it’s appropriate that the Oklahoma quarter is the first one in 2008, and it gives Oklahoma a chance to shine throughout the land.”

While the quarter is now going through its production paces, it won’t enter public circulation quite yet. Hundreds of millions will be minted and then placed into circulation later this month. The video article by KTEN.com is currently the best source to see an actual photo or image of the Oklahoma quarter.

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Friday, Dec. 14th, is the final day to purchase this year’s commemorative coins from the US Mint. The Jamestown 400th anniversary $1 silver and $5 gold coins and the Little Rock 50th anniversary silver dollar haven’t sold out.

However, the law mandating them states that the coins can only be issued during a one-year period. The Mint’s web site provides details:

The United States Mint American Legacy Collection™, Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Coins and the Jamestown 400th Anniversary Coins must be issued by December 31st. In order to meet these requirements, the United States Mint is only accepting orders for these coins until December 14th at 5:00 p.m. ET. Please note that all credit card and billing issues must be resolved prior to December 14th.

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The world’s first pyramid shaped coin makes its debut today. The three-sided coin is so uniquely shaped that you wouldn’t carry it around in your pocket.

You certainly could, if you didn’t mind the pointed edges poking your thighs. And the new coin is legal tender by the Isle of Man government. However, it’s not meant for general circulation.

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