Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse gold coin and a bronze medal replica are now available from the United States Mint. The 1/2-ounce gold proof and uncirculated versions are priced at $549.95 and $524.95, respectively. Both have a face value of $10, are composed of 24-karat gold, and have an overall mintage limit of 40,000.

A bronze medal bearing the likeness of Van Buren’s Liberty coin is also available for $3.50.

Dubbed "The Red Fox of Kinderhook" for his red hair, political acumen and birthplace in New York, Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States. America was prosperous when Van Buren took office, but less than three months later the panic of 1837 occurred and was quickly followed by a five-year depression. Van Buren was voted out of office, making him the third president to serve only one term.

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The Perth Mint marks the discovery of HMAS Sydney II after a mystifying 67-year wait with a magnificent commemorative coin.

Disappearing in November 1941 following a deadly engagement with the German raider Kormoran, the famous Royal Australian Navy cruiser was lost with all hands in the Indian Ocean. Her fate proved baffling until the Finding Sydney Foundation announced on 16 March 2008 that it had located the wreck approximately 207km off the Western Australian coast.

Perth Mint Chief Executive Officer Ed Harbuz said the enormous historical and cultural significance of HMAS Sydney II meant the discovery warranted a special numismatic tribute. "It is a project that The Perth Mint has been exceptionally proud to undertake," he said.

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the superb tribute coin is struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.

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John Quincy Adam United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin and Louisa Adams First Spouse Medal Sets are now available and priced at $7.95 each.

The set was released Wednesday, September 3, and includes an uncirculated John Quincy Adam Presidential dollar coin and a bronze medal bearing the likeness of the Louisa Adams First Spouse gold coin.

According to the Mint website,

The coin and medal are held in a durable plastic card enhanced with beautiful representations of the President and first spouse’s portraits, with issuance information on the back.

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Jackson Liberty First Spouse gold coins will be available from the United States Mint on Thursday, August 28. The 1/2-ounce proof and uncirculated versions are priced at $619.95 and $599.95, respectively. Both versions have a face value of $10, are composed of 24-karat gold, and have a total mintage of 40,000.

The current prices are the same as the Louisa Adams and Elizabeth Monroe spouse gold coins, even though gold has come down in price recently. (See live spot bullion prices.) Ironically, the 2007 Dolley Madison proof and uncirculated versions are still available and priced at $529.95 and $509.95, respectively.

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The James Monroe United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin and Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse Medal Set is now available for a price of $7.95.

The set was released Wednesday, August 6, and includes an uncirculated Monroe Presidential dollar coin and a bronze medal bearing the likeness of the Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse gold coin.

James Monroe dollars were the first $1 coins released in 2008, and the fifth in the Presidential series.

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The Royal Canadian Mint has proudly produced over 20,000 commemorative finisher medals for the upcoming HBC Run for Canada. This event, aimed at supporting Canadian athletes, includes a 10 km run, 3 km walk and 1 km kids run. It will take place in fifteen communities across Canada on July 1st.

"The Mint is delighted to be taking part in this initiative and we encourage Canadians from coast to coast to participate in the HBC Run for Canada on Canada Day", said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

"Each participant will receive one of these skilfully crafted medals, which will signify their support for Canadian athletes".

For the HBC Run for Canada commemorative finisher medals, which were designed in collaboration with HBC, the Mint cut each blank – which is a medal without a design – from long strips of alloy. A hole was then punched through the blanks, in order to eventually thread the distinctive race ribbons.

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2008 First Spouse gold coins and bronze medals honoring Louisa Adams may be purchased from the United States Mint Thursday, May 28. The Louisa Adams gold coins are the second for 2008 and sixth in the First Spouse Gold Coin Series - a series that started off blazing hot, but have drastically cooled due to prices and demand.

Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Jefferson’s Liberty First Spouse gold coins flew of the Mint shelves and sold at records speeds — within hours of their availability.

The fourth and fifth coins — Dolley Madison and Elizabeth Monroe — sputtered. Their demand in the secondary market cooled and the high price of gold made buying them a larger obstacle.

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President Bush honors Dr. Michael E. DeBakey and commemorates his many life accomplishments and contributions to the nation with the Congressional Gold Medal at the United States Capitol Rotunda on April 23, 2008.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award which may be bestowed by the United States Congress. Each Congressional Gold Medal is individually designed to reflect the accomplishments of the recipient. Public law also authorizes the United States Mint to produce and sell bronze reproductions of the medal.

Dr. DeBakey has been the recipient of many notably worldwide honors. In 1969 he received the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1987 President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Presidential Medal of Science, which is given to recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, engineering sciences and social and behavioral sciences.

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Not many people understand the connection between Edgar Allan Poe and the City of Baltimore, home to the 2008 World’s Fair of Money®. But anyone purchasing a 117th Anniversary ANA Convention medal will own a striking collectible and gain a greater understanding of Poe’s connection to the city where he lived, wrote, died and was buried.

Artist Jamie Franki conducted countless hours of research on Poe, searching for images preserved in portraits, daguerreotypes and drawings – as well as numismatic items that may have celebrated the author and his genius. But for all of his efforts, he found just one low relief, traditional side-view medal of Poe – used as a literary award by the New York Public Library in the late 19th century.

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Smythe, New York’s Oldest Dealer and Auctioneer in Coins, Paper Money, Antique Stocks and Bonds and Autographs

London, England. — Spink, the world’s leading auctioneers of Coins, Stamps, Medals and Banknotes, Bonds and Share Certificates, based in London and established 1666, has acquired R.M. Smythe & Company, specialists in Antique Stocks and Bonds, Banknotes, Coins, and Autographs, based in New York City and established in 1880.

Both Spink and Smythe are known around the globe for their illustrious histories, impeccable reputations and unparalleled expertise.

The merging of these two companies is the next logical step in line with Spink’s strategy for the future and will create the first truly global, fully integrated, collectables house.

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