Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson announced that pursuant to Public Law: 31 U.S.C. § 5112(i)(4) the United States Mint will issue a one-ounce ultra-high relief 24-karat gold coin, creating a 2009 version of what many have called the most beautiful gold piece ever made: the Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle.

Aided by advancements in technology, the United States Mint now can produce, in quantity, the ultra high relief coin envisioned, but never fully realized, by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1907.

The mintage of the new coin will be unlimited for one year. Among the production specifications approved by Secretary Paulson are the new coin’s business-strike finish and a diameter of 27 millimeters, making the new collectible coin about 50 percent thicker than other United States Mint one-ounce gold coins.

Only 2009-dated coins will be minted. The coins will go on sale in early 2009, although sales may continue into 2010 if inventory exists.

United States Mint Director Ed Moy will participate in the Opening Ceremony of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. ET

Visitors will be able to feel the ultra high relief on plasters of the coin that will be featured at the Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin exhibit at the United States Mint booth on the bourse floor at the World’s Fair of Money.

The Obverse: Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty, personified by a statuesque woman striding powerfully forward. Liberty is leading the way with a torch in her front hand and an olive branch in the back hand. The United States Capitol dome is also depicted in the background.

The Reverse & Edge Lettering: A young eagle flying during a sunrise is depicted on the reverse. The motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is on the edge of the coin, allowing a cleaner design on the obverse and reverse.

2008 brings a magnificent new reverse design for the Britannia coins, the seventh since this British coin was introduced in 1987. The designer, John Bergdahl, has created a standing portrait of Britannia, incorporating the motifs of the lighthouse, the trident, the shield and the helmet that have long been associated with the numismatic image of Britannia. The obverse bears the portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

Produced in 22 carat gold, the Britannia gold coin, with a denomination of £25 and containing a quarter of an ounce of pure gold, is housed in a beautiful walnut-veneer presentation case accompanied by an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity attesting to the low worldwide issue limit of just 1,000.

Struck from Britannia .958 silver, the 2008 United Kingdom Britannia One Ounce Silver Proof Coin is the largest United Kingdom silver coin, truly a heavyweight for serious collectors the world over.

Background & History

Britannia has symbolised Britain and her proud island heritage since the time of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (117-138AD). She first appeared on British currency in 1672 on the copper coins of Charles II. Used as a political symbol of the war with the Dutch, her olive branch represented a desire for peace above conflict.

Britannia has graced the coins of every British monarch since Charles II reflecting, in various poses, the changing status of the island nation as well as her ancient origins. Usually but not always depicted seated, Britannia gazes steadfastly towards a future in which she may be challenged but not overcome. (more…)

Second Product in United States Celebration Series Features American Buffalo and American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins

Washington - The second special numismatic product in the United States Mint Celebration Series will be available for purchase beginning noon Eastern Time on August 1, 2008. The 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set, priced at $1298.95, features one 24-karat American Buffalo One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin and one 22-karat American Eagle One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin.

The United States Mint Celebration Series, launched in February 2008, is a new initiative to explore the feasibility of introducing various numismatic coin products that are packaged and positioned to celebrate special gift-giving occasions and celebratory events.

The number “8″ is traditionally associated with prosperity in Asian cultures. The triple “8″ date is highly significant as it occurs only once every 100 years.

The American Buffalo One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin is one of the newly released fractional weight options in the expanded American Buffalo Coin Program. The coin bears the classic portrait of a Native American in profile on the obverse and the magnificent American Buffalo, or bison, on the reverse. Noted American sculptor James Earle Fraser, a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally prepared both images for the redesigned five-cent coin (nickel) released in 1913.

The American Eagle One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin displays Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ enduring full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The coin’s reverse, by Miley Busiek, bears the endearing image of a male eagle clutching an olive branch while soaring above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.

Both coins in the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set are legal tender with a nominal face value designation of $25. But their gold metal content and artistry make them worth far more. Inscriptions on the coins include the “W” mint mark for the United States Mint at West Point, the date, the fineness and the weight. The coins are packaged in an attractive hardwood box with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by United States Mint Director Ed Moy. (more…)

Final Coin in Three-Year Series Honors Judicial Branch of United States Government

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint began accepting orders for the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins on July 1, at 12:00 noon (ET). There is no household limit for these options.

The 2008 coin’s reverse features the final design in the three-year series entitled, “The Foundations of American Democracy.” This final design honors the Judicial branch of the United States Government. The image depicts a rendition of Lady Justice, a classic symbol dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The scales, suspended from a finger of her right hand, represent the delicate balance of the law. A sword, held in her left hand, represents the power of reason, which can be wielded in either direction. The bald eagle-our Nation’s symbol of courage and freedom-casts a watchful eye over our solid foundation of democracy.

The coin’s reverse was sculpted by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.

The obverse of the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins, designed and engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti, bears the image of Lady Liberty who has graced the coins since their introduction in 1986. (more…)

Since 2002, Blanchard has been telling our clients that the price of gold was going up – a lot. We believe that the current bull market will end only when gold surpasses it’s old high of $850. In today’s dollars, that would mean a price of more than $2000 per ounce! We’ve still got a long way to go.

During this same period, Blanchard has been recommending rare coins as part of our clients’ portfolios, since they are a better hedge than gold, a better investment, and offer more opportunities for windfall profits. We recommend rare coins even more strongly today, because of an historical relationship between gold and rare coins which takes much of the guesswork out of investing in rare coins.

Although rare coins are positively correlated with gold, price increases lag behind those of gold. When gold goes up, rare coins follow, and eventually go up much more than gold. Over the years, that lag has provided an early warning signal of impending bull markets and has produced periodic windfall profits for knowledgeable investors.

For example, some years ago, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Investments, the world’s largest mutual fund company, was one of the principal investors in a partnership that invested in rare U.S. coins. The partnership was liquidated approximately four years later at a profit of more than 500%. More recently, and on a much bigger scale, an affiliate of Kidder Peabody and Company was the General Partner of a fund which was organized to achieve capital appreciation through buying and selling rare U.S. coins. Rare coin prices went up more than 100% within the year. Some coins tripled in value - and more.

Independent reports and indices, including those published by sources as diverse as Solomon Brothers, Inc., The Wall Street Journal, Consumer’s Digest, GE Private Asset Management, Inc., and numerous auction houses, confirm the fact that portfolios of rare coins have had high rates of appreciation. The total value of all certified U.S. coins is less than $10 billion and only a very small number of the rare coins in existence are actually for sale at any given point in time. As a result, a relatively small amount of money can move the entire market substantially.

Rare coins not only follow gold, but surpass gold. Bull markets in rare coins always occur during or after periods of rising gold prices, but reliable, independent reports show that average annual returns on rare coins have historically been more than 300% greater than the returns on gold bullion. Read Full Blanchard Report Here