The United States Mint today released the four new portraits that will appear on the obverse (heads side) of Presidential $1 Coins in 2009. The coins honor former Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.

“We hope Americans not only appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the Presidential $1 Coins, but also remember each President’s legacy every time they use the coins in their daily transactions,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. “Presidential $1 Coins are convenient to use, save the taxpayers money, and are durable and last for decades.”

Beginning with the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin next year, “In God We Trust” will appear on the obverse of all Presidential $1 Coins. As a result, the edge lettering of the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins will be slightly different from that of 2007 and 2008. Where currently there are single dots (delimiters) between the inscriptions, in 2009 there will be three stars between “E Pluribus Unum” and the mint mark and 10 stars between the year of minting and “E Pluribus Unum.”

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 directed the United States Mint to inscribe the year of minting or issuance, and the national mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” on the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin. In 2008, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included a provision directing the Secretary of the Treasury to move the inscription “In God We Trust” from the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin to the obverse (heads side) or reverse (tails side) of the coin. (more…)

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.