The third installment in the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Series is scheduled for release today, June 10th. This new Historical Signature Series collection of products began on April 8th with the introduction of the George Washington folder. The Series highlights the 2007 Presidential $1 Coins honoring the Presidents of the United States. The Set features a proof version of the Presidential $1 Coin and a Presidential intaglio print from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The product is presented in a textured, leather-like folder which opens to reveal the intaglio print and the official Presidential signature. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each United States Mint Historical Signature Set.

The most current United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set – features Thomas Jefferson, and is the third in this new collection. The proof coin which is extraordinarily brilliant, has a sharp relief and a mirror-like background. The frosted, sculpted foreground gives a special cameo effect. The image of President Thomas Jefferson appears on the obverse of the coin and the reverse features a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty. The Presidential $1 Coins also feature edge-incused inscriptions of the year, “E Pluribus Unum,” “In God We Trust,” and the mint mark. The size, weight and metal composition of the new Presidential $1 Coins are identical to that of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar. Each coin is mounted in a removable capsule.

Visible from the cover of the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set is the Presidential intaglio print of Thomas Jefferson printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Opening the cover reveals the official Thomas Jefferson Presidential signature, courtesy of the White House Historical Association.

The two previous Presidential “Signature Sets” of George Washington and John Adams are still both available from the US Mint Store. Each Set, including the new Jefferson Folder costs $19.95 each.

The Royal Mint has just released a four-coin collection set comprised of silver Piedfort specimens of the three new commemorative coins for 2008 - the two magnificent £5 pieces, one honouring the 450th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth I and the other celebrating the 60th birthday of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the bi-colour £2 coin marking the centenary of the Olympic Games held in London in 1908 - along with the £1 coin bearing a fresh rendition of the Royal Arms.

The four coins have been struck in the traditional sterling silver alloy to Proof quality and the £2 coin, to emulate the bi-colour nature of its circulating counterpart, has been plated with .999 fine gold on its outer ring. A maximum of 3,000 Silver Proof Piedfort Collections have been authorised for 2008. Each collection is beautifully displayed in a luxurious black display case and is accompanied by a full-colour booklet which incorporates an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Although not Piedforts in a strict sense, thicker than normal coins were produced across Europe during the early modern period, particularly from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-seventeenth century, as part of the broader practice of striking prestige pieces. At this time the exchange of valuable gifts between rulers and members of their entourage became an established courtly exercise. Within this context coins struck on thick blanks, together with other types of prestige pieces, were prepared on behalf of kings and noblemen primarily for the purposes of presentation and display. From Poland to the Spanish Netherlands, from Sweden to northern Italy, coins of this sort provided rulers with a convenient means of emphasising their wealth and power. (more…)

 By Scott Wong for The Arizona Republic

Thousands of Arizonans, from schoolchildren to grandparents to state dignitaries, packed the Capitol lawn Monday for the roll out of the state commemorative quarter. The celebration, replete with an old-fashioned red stagecoach, mariachi band and free mint ice-cream drumsticks, marked the culmination of a public process that began three years ago with more than 4,000 quarter designs.

It also offered coin collectors their first chance to get their hands on the much-anticipated Arizona quarter.

Featuring a saguaro cactus against the backdrop of the Grand Canyon, the coin is the 48th in the U.S. Mint’s decade-old 50 State Quarters Program. The Mint plans to release Alaska and Hawaii coins later this year.

“When I bought the (collectable coin) folders, I didn’t know if I’d still be alive when it was done,” Scottsdale resident Charles Clark, 69, said before picking up a pair of quarter rolls for coin sets he plans to present to his granddaughters. “It’s gonna wrap up this year, and I think I’m gonna make it.”

State Capitol police estimated that more than 5,000 people were on hand.

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In honor of Louisa Adams, the Nation’s sixth First Lady, the United States Mint will release a ½-ounce 24-karat gold coin bearing her image at 12 noon (ET) on May 29, 2008. The Louisa Adams First Spouse Gold Coin will be available in proof and uncirculated versions priced at $619.95 and $599.95, respectively. The mintage limit is set at 40,000 across both product options. Customer demand will determine the ratio of proof to uncirculated coins produced.

Orders for the Louisa Adams First Spouse Gold Coin will be limited to one per product option per household for the first week of sales. The United States Mint will reevaluate this limit following the initial sales period and either extend, adjust or eliminate it.

Bronze medals bearing the likeness of the coin also will be available for $3.50. There is no mintage or order limit for this option.

It could not have been easy for Louisa Catherine Adams, wife of our Nation’s sixth President, John Quincy Adams, to follow in the footsteps of her esteemed mother-in-law and former First Lady Abigail Adams. Despite her predecessor’s legacy, however, Louisa-an accomplished musician, hostess and writer on the subjects of women’s rights and abolitionism-managed to make her mark in Washington society and in political circles. Louisa staunchly supported her husband’s career and was invaluable in furthering his initiatives.

The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Louisa Adams designed by Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. Inscriptions on the coin are “Louisa Adams” and “1825-1829,” the years she served as First Spouse. Additional inscriptions on the coin’s obverse include “In God We Trust,” “Liberty” and “2008.” (more…)

Arizona Quarter Launch at State Capitol among First Places for Public to Get New Quarters

The State Capitol Senate Lawn in Phoenix will be the site of the Arizona Quarter Launch on Monday, June 2, 2008, at 10 a.m. (Arizona Time). United States Mint Director Ed Moy will join Governor Janet Napolitano in hosting the festivities. The public and news media are invited to this free event which celebrates the 48th commemorative quarter-dollar in the popular 50 State Quarters® Program.

The Arizona quarter goes into circulation nationwide the same day. After the ceremony, the public may exchange their bills for $10 rolls of shiny, new Arizona quarters at the event. Each child under 18 attending the launch will receive a free Arizona quarter.

On the eve of the launch, the public and news media are invited to a free Coin Collectors Forum in the Carnegie Center from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Arizona Time) on Sunday, June 1, 2008 hosted by United States Mint Director Ed Moy. The forum will provide an opportunity for the public to let United States Mint officials know what citizens would like to see on U.S. coinage in the future.

Arizona was the 48th state to be admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912. The 50 State Quarters® Program honors the states in the ordered they joined the Union. (more…)