The design of the Maltese euro coins are among the most attractive in the euro area, the Central Bank of Malta has been told.

In reply to questions sent to the bank last week, a Bank spokesman said there were very positive comments about the design of the Maltese coins.

“Indeed, various people commented that the Maltese coins have some of the most attractive designs within the entire euro area,” the spokesman said.

The Bank was getting highly positive comments both locally and overseas about the euro coin set it has issued and its presentation.

One can practically say that the 40,000 euro coin sets issued by the Bank have been sold out. (more…)

An electrical short may be to blame for a fire at the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg on Sunday night, fire officials say.

Fire crews were called to the federal facility around 7 p.m. local time. The fire reportedly started in an electroplating vat, which is where coins are coated. Damage is estimated at $300,000. No one was injured.

The blaze is the third in as many years at the Winnipeg plant. Read Full Story

The first Presidential dollar of 2008 — James Monroe — is scheduled to be released on Feb. 14. ,followed by John Quincy Adams on May 15, Andrew Jackson on Aug. 14 and Martin Van Buren on Nov. 13.

Although the Mint is hoping the dollar coins will find their way into circulation, it appears that almost all of the interest in the new presidential dollars is coming from collectors.

“We hope the next four presidential $1 coins will not only jingle in pockets but be spent as well,” said Mint director Ed Moy. “These coins are convenient. Each presidential $1 coin weighs less than four quarters, and they’re especially useful for vending machines and mass transit.”

Of course one would expect such a comment from the Mint Directors, especially since prior attempts at introducing a dollar coin ( Susan B Anthony and the Sacagawea) were both dismal failures.

It seems that many people have never even seen one of the dollars in circulation. I know personally here in Central Florida I have never been given a “dollar coin” in change or even seen one in a retailer cash drawer. In fact after several trips to a few local banks requesting a roll, I was told that they would have to “Order the coins: and that they had none on hand. If their banks aren’t even ordering supplies of the new coins, what are the chances they will be found in circulation? (more…)

China became the world’s largest gold producer last year, helped by Canadian- and Australian-led projects that aim to add millions in ounces to the world gold supply.

China produced 276 metric tons of gold last year, equal to about 9.7 million ounces, said London precious metals consultancy GFMS Ltd. in a report released Thursday. That’s up 12% from the year-ago and represented just over one-tenth of the world’s supply.

The ranking pushes South Africa into second place, the first time the gold giant has lost its top ranking since 1905, GFMS said. South Africa, whose late 19th century gold rush led to the founding of mining heavyweights, saw its production decline 8% to 272 metric tons. Read Full Story