OTTAWA, ONTARIO / WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - January 2, 2008 – One hundred years ago today, Governor General Earl Grey activated the press to strike a fifty-cent piece, Canada’s first domestically produced coin. What would become known as the Royal Canadian Mint was officially open for business.

“To celebrate the centennial of the Mint is to celebrate the history of Canada,” said Mr. Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “Over the past century, the Mint has played an important role in the economic and social fabric of our nation, by creating circulation and commemorative collector coins which are a true testament to Canada’s rich heritage and values.”

The Mint’s Ottawa facility, which occupies the same premises on which the Mint was founded, produces hand-crafted collector and commemorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions. Established in 1976, the Winnipeg Mint is a high-tech, high-volume manufacturing facility where Canada’s circulation coinage is produced, as well as coins for countries around the world. (more…)

For the first time since decimalisation the legal tender coins of the United Kingdom will undergo a major design change. In the late spring of 2008 the nation will see new designs on the coinage, from the 1p to the ?1, reflecting a more modern twenty-first century Britain.

To mark this watershed in numismatic history, and to commemorate the reverse designs that have served Britain well for almost 40 years, the Royal Mint is producing a limited-edition gold Proof collection.

The Gold Collection comprises seven coins bearing the definitive reverse designs, the portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS on their obverse, and are all dated 2008. Each coin is struck in 22 carat gold to Proof quality. For such a magnificent collection, the Royal Mint has commissioned high-quality hand-crafted oak veneer cases designed exclusively to house the gold Proof coins. An informative booklet featuring a potted history of the iconic designs completes the presentation. Incorporated into each booklet is an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Deputy Master of the Royal Mint. (more…)

1oz HOLEY DOLLAR & DUMP SILVER PROOF COIN SET ANNIVERSARY RELEASE COMMEMORATES AUSTRALIA’S ONLY COUP D’ÉTAT

Exactly 20 years after the First Fleet dropped anchor in Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788, Australia experienced its first, and only, military insurrection – the Rum Rebellion.

The revolt was perpetrated against Governor William Bligh, forever remembered as the Captain of the mutinous crew aboard HMS Bounty. The perpetrators were the powerful officers of the NSW Corps – also known as the Rum Corps because of their control of the colony’s ‘rum’ trade.

In response to the Governor’s attempted reforms, which threatened the officers’ lucrative business, the Corps marched on Government House in Sydney to arrest Bligh, ignominiously dragging him from beneath his bed.

This spectacular Australian legal tender set commemorates the 200th anniversary of the extraordinary coup. Struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality, it resembles Australia’s first official coinage – the Holey Dollar & Dump – which was introduced in the aftermath of the famous Rum Rebellion. (more…)

OTTAWA, Dec. 13 / - The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is crediting its patented multi-ply plating technology for a record year in its foreign circulation business line. The Mint’s Winnipeg, Manitoba facility has already set a new production volume record with one month left to go in 2007, having struck almost 1.2 billion multi-ply plated circulation coins for countries from around the globe.

“In an age of rising base metal costs, there is a compelling need around the world for a coinage solution which saves money without compromising quality,” said RCM President and CEO, Mr. Ian E. Bennett. “Only the Royal Canadian Mint can offer a solution to meet this need, which has led us to become one of the most innovative in the world.”

Among the countries which have recently adopted the Royal Canadian Mint’s multi-ply plating are Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Ghana, Oman, Paraguay, Barbados and the Bahamas. As well, RCM multi-ply plating is generating strong interest among other countries in the Caribbean region. (more…)

New “eco-gold” coin offered

Mammoth Tusk Gold Inc. may be trying to tap into a new market by using socially and environmentally sound gold-mining procedures to produce what is known as “eco-gold”. According to the companies website, “Chemicals are not used while mining, and there are no toxic by-products from the extraction process. Water, motion, and gravity are used to extract the gold and very careful attention is given to ensuring the protection of waterways”.

Mammoth Gold officially unveiled its first eco-gold product this week, The Mammoth Gold Coin.

The initial product offering is 250 one ounce gold coins.

The coins are minted from Klondike gold which has been batch refined to .9999% purity. Each coin includes a chain of custody document that tracks the gold content from mining to manufacture. Also included is a certification of validity from the Yukon Territorial Government, a certification of minting from the Lasqueti Mint, and all coins are presented in a hand-made wooden box inlaid with Mammoth Tusk ivory.

Company literature says Mammoth Gold comes from a placer mine. Miners extract ore from creeks and rivers, which contain gold nuggets, flakes and dust. The ore is then sluiced, a process by which water, gravity and motion separate the heavier gold particles from the lighter gravels. (more…)