First-Ever “Digital Unveiling” of a Redesigned Bill  - Introduction Scheduled for Early 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 20, 2007) - The U.S. government today digitally unveiled a new, more secure design for the $5 bill that will be issued and enter circulation in early 2008. A new $100 bill will follow. This is the first time in history that U.S. paper money has ever been unveiled entirely online.

Similar to recently redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills, the new $5 bill incorporates improved, easy-to-use security features, making it easier for businesses and consumers to check the new $5 bills they receive and more difficult for counterfeiters to fake.

Officials from the U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and U.S. Secret Service were part of today’s “Wi-5″ preview, an entirely digital event which emphasized the government’s commitment to staying ahead of counterfeiters. The live “unveiling” of the $5 bill design, which featured government officials discussing currency security efforts, took place on www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney and also included an online Q&A for news reporters. Podcasts featuring important information about the new $5 bill are also posted on the site. (more…)

United States Mint Director and Wyoming Governor Celebrate Legacy of Women’s Rights, Pioneer Spirit

CHEYENNE, WYOMING - The sounds of the University of Wyoming Marching Band filled the Cheyenne Civic Center today in celebration of the official launch of the State’s commemorative quarter-dollar. Hosted by United States Mint Director Ed Moy and Governor Dave Freudenthal, the Wyoming launch ceremony honored the 44th coin in the United States Mint’s popular 50 State Quarters® Program.

Released into circulation on September 4, the Wyoming quarter design features a bucking horse and rider, which pays homage to the State’s Wild West heritage. The coin also bears the inscriptions “The Equality State,” recognizing Wyoming’s historical role in establishing equal voting rights for women; “Wyoming;” and “1890,” the year Wyoming was admitted into the Union. (more…)

CHEYENNE — It will take the super-fast presses at the U.S. Mint just 10 weeks to produce all of the roughly 500 million Wyoming quarters that will ever be produced.But it took more than two years and hundreds of hours of behind-the-scenes work to get the quarter ready for the minting process.

Roughly 3,200 Wyoming residents contributed by submitting design ideas. A committee appointed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal honed the concept, while the governor made the final choice.

The process yielded a design that has been described as “clean,” “simple” and “elegant”by some and unfortunate by those who think the bucking horse and rider image does not accurately represent the state.

Perth Mint - New Release

Treasures of Australia is a beautiful series of locket coins celebrating Australia’s abundance of natural riches. This first release contains stunning blue sapphires, which are found in major accumulations in Queensland and New South Wales.

For a limited time only, collectors who purchase this Treasures of Australia gold proof locket coin will automatically receive a pure silver version absolutely free! Offer ends 31 October 2007 or when the full mintage of just 1,000 gold proof locket coins has been taken up.

The 2007-dated coin is struck from 1oz of 99.99% pure gold in proof quality. The design surrounds a transparent half-circle locket containing approximately 1-carat of sapphires. Linked through time with many special properties, including wisdom, loyalty and healing, sapphires are also the birthstone of people born in September.

More Information is available at the Perth Mint Web site 

Photos of amero design created by parody coin designer, Daniel Carr

Pictures of the supposedly designed and coined “Amero” have been making their rounds on the internet lately, causing a stir among those aware of real proposals for a common currency between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It seems as though certain individuals have picked up on this design and propagated the idea that it is a legitimate and official design of the Amero currency to be distributed en masse. Further research reveals that the design comes from a known parody coin designer named Daniel Carr, and is a collectable, fantasy pattern.

Pictures of the coin can be seen on his website by clicking here. According to the website, the coin is to be a “private-issue fantasy pattern.”

“These private-issue fantasy pattern coins will be struck as an annual series (until such time as it is no longer legal to do so), starting in the latter part of 2007.