Coin series including the Chinese Lunar Zodiac, Vignettes of Royalty, Playing Card Money and Crystal Snowflakes and new NHL© coin and gift products join the team

The Royal Canadian Mint today issued its latest release of collector coins and gift products for 2008—just in time for the holiday season. Examples from this impressive selection include: gold and silver coins celebrating the Year of the Ox; new gold and silver Moon Mask coins; an ultra-high relief King George V Vignettes of Royalty $15 silver coin; a new 99.99% pure silver Holiday Carols coin; as well as innovative keepsakes honouring Canada’s beloved NHL© teams, featuring team jerseys, dual image logos and goalie masks. The public can purchase these new products as of today.

“As the Royal Canadian Mint continues to celebrate its centennial year, we are proud to issue new products showcasing the creativity, quality and innovation which have been our hallmarks since 1908,” said President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, Ian E. Bennett. “Collectors and gift givers alike will find many exciting choices among the collector coins and gift products offered just in time for the holiday and hockey seasons.”

Here are the highlights of the Mint’s newest selection of products:

2009 LUNAR HOLOGRAM GOLD AND LUNAR CAMEO SILVER COINS – YEAR OF THE OX
The annual tradition of celebrating the Chinese Lunar Zodiac with gold and silver commemorative coin releases is alive and well as the Mint pays tribute to the Year of the Ox in 2009.

Both Year of the Ox coins are designed by Canadian artist Harvey Chan. The Lunar Cameo Coin is sterling silver and bears a face value of 15 dollars. It is the final instalment of the 12-coin series begun by the Mint in 1998. It features an octagon– shaped gold-plated cameo of a stylized ox surrounded by the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. This coin is the only 2009 issue bearing the former effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which graced Canada’s coinage from 1990 to 2003. Limited to a worldwide mintage of 48,888, it retails for $88.88 CDN. (more…)

The second commemorative golden coin of 100 litas, dedicated to the millennium of the mention of Lithuania”s name was presented at the historical cradle of Lithuania – the Gothic hall of Trakai Castle on Tuesday. The commemorative coin was issued on September 30 and started circulating as valid for making payments.

According to Reinoldijus Sarkinas, chairman of the board of directors of the Bank of Lithuania, it is already a 56th commemorative coin issued by the central bank, which reflects the prosperity of the country and symbolizes the historical and cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (LDK), reports ELTA.

One side of the coin features the lines of the map of LDK, another side – a stylized Vytis in the background of flames of historical victories and constant renewal. The coin costs 850 litas (249 euros). In total, the bank will issue 10,000 such coins.

The ceremony at the Trakai castle was attended by Liudas Parulskis, author of the graphic design, Giedrius Paulauskis, author of its plaster model, Professor Alfredas Bumblauskas, author of the text of the brochure intended for the coin, collectors, representatives of museums and media.

The first coin from this series was issued in September, last year, and the third coin, which will be the last one, will appear in 2009.

The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland today (3 September) issued its 2008 €5 silver proof coin and the €100 gold proof coin to celebrate International Polar Year. The coins feature two famous Irish born Antarctic explorers Ernest Shackleton and Tom Crean. Their stricken vessel ‘The Endurance’ is also pictured in the distance on the coins trapped in the packed ice of Antarctica.

This is the first time the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland has issued a half troy ounce (15.55 grams in weight) gold coin denominated in Euro, with a legal tender denomination of €100.

In keeping with tradition, the national side of the coin depicts the 14 string Irish harp modelled on the ‘Brian Boru’ harp in Trinity College, Dublin. As an addition to the national side of the coin, a laurel wreath, a traditional symbol of excellence and integrity, surrounds the harp. The coins have been designed by renowned Irish artist, designer and medallist Thomas Ryan, RHA.

The coins are available individually in sterling silver which costs €50 and fine gold which costs €395 or as a special two-coin set which costs €440. A limited edition of 5,000 individual silver coins and 2,000 individual gold coins will be issued and there will also be a limited edition of 1,000 two-coin sets issued. An official order form for the coins is available from the Central Bank by phoning 1890 307 607 or from the website, www.centralbank.ie. (more…)