Coin Collecting News

Dallas, TX : Well-known Latin American numismatist Cristiano Bierrenbach has joined Heritage Auction Galleries as Director of International Sales, to further Heritage’s leadership position in World Coins. “There are outstanding opportunities in the World Coin market today for collectors and investors alike,” enthused Bierrenbach.

Initially, he will work with Warren Tucker, Director of World Coin Auctions, creating the Ancient and World coin catalogs for Long Beach and New York, as well as marketing Heritage in foreign markets. “Warren has 40 years of experience in the World Coin market, and I look forward to learning from him.”

Bierrenbach has been a successful Brazilian numismatic dealer for a decade, and helped to strengthen Brazilian numismatics through his work as Technical Director in the Brazilian Numismatic Society, and as the founder and coordinator of the Latin American Numismatic Convention, the region’s largest coin show. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Cristiano has strong ties to the U.S., having attended Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

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AGAIN REJECTS MILLER’S CLAIM TO STATUTORY DAMAGES OF $10.5 MILLION RULES THAT HE MUST PROVE DAMAGES AT TRIAL

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Collectors Universe, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLCT), a leading provider of value-added authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value collectibles, and dealers of diamonds and colored gemstones, reported that on February 1, 2008 the Appellate Court issued its second decision in the William Miller case — after considering Miller’s petition for rehearing — again ruling that, contrary to Miller’s assertions, he is not entitled to statutory damages of $10.5 million.

As previously reported, Miller argued that he was entitled, under California law, to statutorily prescribed damages of $750 for each alleged use of his name made by Collectors Universe without his consent and that, since Miller claims that his name appeared on 14,060 authentication certificates issued by Collectors Universe, he was entitled to statutory damages of $750.00 times 14,060, or approximately $10.5 million in total. Continued

Royal Australian Mint - The Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Nick Sherry unveiled a fine silver proof $5 2008 Polar Series coin at the head office of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) in Hobart today.

“The Polar Series of coins marks The 4th International Polar Year 2007-2008. Australia has a proud history of exploration and ongoing involvement in Antarctica, and it is fantastic that the Royal Australian Mint, working with The Royal Society of Victoria, has produced Australia’s coins as part of an international program where a number of countries have issued silver proof coins commemorating the International Polar Year,” Minister Sherry said.

It is the first in a series of three $5 silver proof coins in the Polar Series and features a foreground image of the Antarctic Skua in flight. These large heavily built birds have a reputation of being fierce and aggressive, symbolising the need for strong survival instincts in order to live in the harsh Antarctic environment. The background image shows Australian Antarctic Territory and our scientific research stations. Continued

Ottawa, Ontario, February 2, 2008 – The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) added to its star-studded line up of award-winning coins when Krause Publications bestowed the Coin of the Year and Most Innovative Coin Awards on the RCM’s laser-etched $50 Palladium Big Bear and Little Bear Constellations coin series at the 2008 Coin of the Year Awards. Adding even more to the RCM’s prestige, its 2006 colourized $5 Fine Silver “Pink Ribbon” Coin also was a co-winner of the Most Inspirational Coin Award. Krause Publications, of the United States, publishes World Coin News and Numismatic News, in addition to many respected numismatic catalogues and research titles.

“We welcome these distinctions during our centennial year, as the proud employees of the Royal Canadian Mint celebrate a century of achievement,” said Ian E. Bennett, RCM President and CEO. “Our passion for innovation and excellence has made us a leader in the minting industry and we are delighted that these qualities are being recognized by leaders in the numismatic community.”

The $50 Palladium Big Bear and Little Bear Constellations coin series consists of four 31.16 g, 99.95% palladium coins featuring the constellations in a night sky, reproduced by a deep black laser-etching. Each coin displays the constellations as they would appear above Canada’s capital during each of the four seasons. This appealing and ingenious design is the work of RCM Product Manager Jennifer Holmes, whose impressive portfolio includes sell-outs such as the Gold $3 Square Beaver Coin and the square-holed $8 Fine Silver Chinese Coin. Continued