Federal Mint Swissmint has launched a new Swiss commemorative gold coin entitled "International Year of Planet Earth 2008." The 11.29 gram coin is sold in proof quality only, limited in issuance to 6,000 and is priced at CHF 440.00 (~$423.00 US).

The 60th United Nations General Assembly in New York proclaimed this year to be the United Nations International Year of Planet Earth, with a goal "to show, in a unique and inspiring manner, how earth sciences can help future generations measure up to the challenge of creating a safer and more prosperous world." The new Swiss coin is dedicated to these actions.

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Federal Mint Swissmint has launched a new several year commemorative coin series celebrating historical mountain railways. The first commemorative out of the gate is the 20 Swiss franc silver coin, the "Vitznau-Rigi Railway," honoring Europe’s first mountain railway.

Artist Benno K. Zehnder designed the coin and portrays the cog railway on the Rigi in the form of a playing card. Separated by letters ascending to the right is a modern railway engine and under the "Vitznau-Rigi Railway" heading is a historical steam engine.

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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 United States Mint has announced a release date of March 17 and a price of $25.95 for the new Uncirculated American Eagle Silver collector coin. Each coin contains one troy ounce of .999 silver and bears the distinctive "W" mint mark to indicate it was produced at the Mint’s West Point facility.

The U.S. Mint has produced American Eagle Silver coins since 1986. While uncirculated silver eagles have been available every year since, they were not offered with the "W" mint mark and "burnished" finish. The Mint first started producing these collector coins two years ago.

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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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Ottawa, Ontario, January 9, 2008 – One week after turning 100 years old, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) today released the first new collector coins and gift products of 2008. In keeping with its mandate of celebrating Canada’s values, history and culture, the RCM has chosen to devote the silver dollar, in proof, brilliant uncirculated and selectively gold plated finishes, to Samuel de Champlain, as a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.

This figurehead of the RCM’s annual collector coin program is followed by the perennial $100, $200 and $300 face value gold issues featuring themes which resonate from Canada’s East to West coasts, as well as the traditionally anticipated proof, uncirculated and specimen coin sets. The popular annual coin sets featuring a unique painted 25-cent coin are once more available in five different themes, as are annual baby and wedding gift sets.

“Over 100 years, the Royal Canadian Mint has established a global reputation as a leader in the minting industry”, said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The quality and creativity which are hallmarks of the Royal Canadian Mint shine through in the first new collector coins of 2008. The themes they portray will resonate with Canadian and international collectors alike”.

Below are several of the featured products that are being introduced this month.

2008 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR – CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF QUEBEC CITY (1608-2008)

A pivotal figure in Canadian history, Samuel de Champlain landed on the shore of the St. Lawrence River in 1608 at a place the local Algonquin people called “Kebec” or “where the river narrows”. 400 years later, the banks of the St Lawrence are bursting with pride as millions of Canadians celebrate a milestone anniversary in the history of Quebec City, one of North America’s oldest and most enchanting cities. The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to join Quebec City, its citizens and its admirers across Canada and the world, in marking the city’s 400th anniversary on the 2008 proof silver dollar.

This sterling silver dollar features a portrait of Samuel de Champlain with the “habitation” he built at the foot of Cap-aux-Diamants, now Quebec City, in the background. This design is the work of Longueuil, QC artist Suzanne Duranceau. Limited to a mintage of 65,000, the 2008 Proof Silver Dollar retails for a suggested $42.95 CDN. The brilliant uncirculated version of this coin is also proposed at $34.95 CDN and limited to a mintage of 35,000.

The same design is reproduced on a selectively gold-plated proof dollar coin, which is exclusive to the RCM’s 2008 Proof Set. Only 60,000 sets, with a suggested retail price of $89.95 CDN, are available world-wide.

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The U.S. Mint’s front website splashes attractive product offerings hoping to catch the eager shopper’s eye.

In a very small twist of irony this afternoon, the first one presented was the "W" 2007 American Eagle Silver Uncirculated coin, but it’s no longer available. Anyone who sees the ad and clicks will be disappointed with: "Product is not available".

Is it gone for good? It would appear so. There’s no temporary disclaimer, like other coins who’s sales have been suspended for pricing adjustments.

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Back on October 10, the United States Mint first suspended several platinum coin sales.

With the surging movement of bullion, the Mint has implemented cycles of coin suspensions in order to reintroduced coins at higher prices.

Unfortunately, the suspensions to date haven’t been a one or two day event but instead lasted weeks. Fortunately, the wait for the resumption of American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated coins is now over.

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Gold climbed to its newest 28 year high Monday, November 5. It reached $814.20 on the New York Mercantile Exchange and finally settled to $810.80 an ounce.

In reaction and as CoinNews.net analyzed and then predicted Friday, Nov. 2, the United States Mint halted Uncirculated Gold American Eagles sales once again.

Similar to their very first suspension on September 13, the U.S. Mint listed below each of their American Eagle Gold uncirculated products (one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce and four-coin set) the following statement:

"Due to the increasing market value of gold, the American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins are temporarily unavailable while pricing for this option can be adjusted; therefore, no orders can be taken at this time."

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Gold is continuing through its extended gains and hit a spot price of $746.30 an ounce early Monday morning. That’s the highest level seen since January 1980.

Will increasing gold prices continue to forestall the resumption of U.S. Mint gold coin sales? To date, it appears that way.

On September 13th, the United States Mint suspended the sale of all their 2007 American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins.

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