Canadian Astronaut Coin.

The Royal Canadian Mint is issuing a series of commemorative coins celebrating the 5th anniversary of Canada’s major contribution to the International Space Station (ISS).

The second release in the Royal Canadian Mint's (RCM) Canadian Achievements series, the new coins celebrate the April 22, 2001 spacewalk by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield as he attached the Canadarm2 robotic manipulator to the ISS.

The new coins, are scheduled to be "launched" on May 15, and will be sold in two editions.

The first, a, 14-karat gold proof 300-dollar face value coin shows Hadfield on his record-setting spacewalk with a two-color laser design of the Canadarm2 in space as his background.

There are two editions. The gold has a mintage of only 1,000 40mm-diameter coins and sells for $1,089.95 CND (approximately $976 U.S.).

The silver edition is the sterling silver proof coin, also bearing a 30-dollar face value. But this silver rendition of the gold design features a selective hologram of the robot arm in space and has a mintage of 20,000. These coins will sell for $79.95 CND (approximately $72 U.S.).

Both versions feature the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt on the obverse. The design on the reverse is by artist Cecily Mok.

The coins are presented in maroon-colored display cases and come with serialized certificates of authenticity.

The coins are available directly from the RCM by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, or 1-800-268-6468 in the US, by visiting the Mint online at Canadian Astronaut Coin.

2006 8 Coin Gold Set

The Royal Australian Mint has issued a 2006 8 Coin Gold Set. Crafted from pure 24 carat gold, the 2006 Eight Coin Gold Set pays dazzling tribute to the 40th anniversary of Australia’s decimal currency.

This set is finished to proof standard and features a round 50c piece that takes on a rich, new life in gold. Not only that, the polished backgrounds contrast with the finely frosted artwork and offer a sparkle remarkably well done and very impressive especially with the smaller coins.

The set is displayed in a superbly crafted She-Oak and Jarrah case, a fine collectible in its own right, and the gold set is officially verified by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, contributing to the prestige of this exquisite quality item.

The 2006 Eight Coin Gold Year Set is available for the international price of $3,536.36 (around 2950 USD) but Australians have to pay a GST bringing the price up to $3536.36 Australian.

This 2006 8 Coin Gold Set is sure to generate strong demand and interest from collectors around the world with its limited mintage of just 300 sets of eight coins of pure 24 carat gold and you will have to be quick if you would like to add this to your coin collection.

Lord Buddha Gold Coins

The German Mint, Mayer Mint GmbH Germany is celebrating the Lord Buddha with a set of Lord Buddha Gold Coins and medallions.

As per the mint, “Celebrated by Buddhists as a turning point in history, the Great Renunciation of the Lord Buddha saw him abandon his high station and embark on life as a seeker after truth. It was under a great, spreading, Bodhi tree that he felt he was undergoing profound, and extensive, alterations of realizations and awakening.”
“With high respect to the Enlightenment of the Lord Buddha, The Mayer Mint – Germany minted in association with the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (W.F.B.Y.), present the Lord Buddha – Enlightenment Coins and Medallions, available in the Premium and Advantage Collections. Issued by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, the series of proof, fine gold coins, are precious numismatic art pieces in homage to the Enlightened One.”

This includes a one ounce and 10 ounce 99.9 percent fine proof quality gold coins and medallions. These have been struck by the authority of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth and the Issuing Authority of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Each coin was struck with a mintage of 10,000 only and the issue year was 2003.

The silver coin is one ounce of pure silver and has a mintage of 2999. These coins are quite impressive and would make a rare and interesting addition to any coin collection.

Not many people can say they have a collection of Lord Buddha Gold Coins so if you have these or manage to get them it will be a talking point for many years to come.

Jules Verne Gold Coin

A new coin from the Monnaie de Paris (French Mint) has been issued. This is the Jules Verne Gold Coin. A tribute to the Author Jules Verne and his historic novel, 20 000 leagues Under the Sea.

This book was ahead of its time and many people will remember it being made into a movie some years ago.

The coin is a 1/4 Oz .920 fine pure solid gold Proof quality coin. With a weight of 8,45 g = 0.30 oz and a diameter of 22 mm = 0,87 inch it has a face value of 10 €. Only 2000 have been minted so this coin is sure to be much sort after in later years.

The coin is priced at 269.00 Euros which is around 333 USD at the time of writing.

This is a nice little coin and well worth getting as gold continues its rise.

The Jules Verne Gold Coin will make a nice addition to any coin collection.

Irish Gold Proof Coin

You can get a very nice Irish Gold Proof Coin from the Irish bank at Irish gold proof coin.

As per the bank, “To accompany the issue of the €10 Silver Proof Coin, the Central Bank & Financial Services Authority of Ireland are pleased to announce the issue of the €20 Gold Proof Coin. The coin celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Beckett and has been minted specially to participate in the "Smallest Gold Coins in the World Programme.”

“Struck in fine (.999) Gold, and weighing only 1/25th of an ounce, this exquisite coin comes in a beautiful presentation case and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
This is Ireland's first gold Euro coin.”


The price for this delightful little coin is : € 50.00 which is just over 60 USD.

The Irish mint also do a gold and silver two coin set. A €10 Silver Proof Coin and a €20 Gold Proof Coin sit side by side in a magnificent Two Coin Proof Set and are presented in a luxurious black presentation case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The maximum issue limit on this double boxed set is 5,000 pieces. The price for this set is € 80.00 which is close to 100 USD.

There is a silver proof coin also to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Beckett.

This €10 Silver Proof Coin features a stylized portrait of Samuel Beckett and the design endeavors to capture his distinct and dramatic pose. Equally dramatic is his most famous work "Waiting for Godot" which is depicted in the background of the coin. This coin is part of the 2006 Europa Coin Programme and as such bears the Europa Symbol.

This coin will be launched on 26 April 2006 and sales will commence on 1 May 2006.
Price : € 32.00 or around 40 USD.

An Irish Gold Proof Coin would make a nice addition to any coin collection.

Queen Elizabeth New Zealand Gold Coin

The 2006 issue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 80th Birthday Gold Coin from New Zealand is a very nice gold coin and sure to be a collectors item.

These Queen Elizabeth II 80th Birthday coins are designed to uniquely represent New Zealand's celebration of the Queen's 80th Birthday.

The Queen is Sovereign of The New Zealand Order of Merit, instituted by Her Majesty on 30 May 1996. The Collar of the Order is only worn by the Sovereign and the Chancellor, the Governor-General of New Zealand.

The shield of the New Zealand Coat of Arms surmounted by a Royal Crown appears in the centre of the Collar. The Collar is composed of links of the central emblem of the badge of the Order and Koru in the form of the letter S.

The obverse of each coin features the official Effigy of Her Majesty the Queen by Ian-Rank-Broadley.

The reverse design shows the shield of the New Zealand Coat of Arms surmounted by St Edward's Crown with the inscription "80th Birthday of H.M. The Queen" below. This is bordered with the Sovereign's Collar of The New Zealand Order of Merit.

The coin has been designed by Phillip O'Shea, CNZM, LVO, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary to The Queen.
Limited Mintage

This coin has an extremely low mintage of 500 worldwide.

Specifications
Metal : .9999 Gold
Weight : ¼ troy oz
Diameter : 20mm
Finish : Proof
Denomination : NZ$10
Country of Issue : New Zealand
Year of Issue : 2006
Mintage : 500

The coin is approved by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and NZ Post and distributed by the New Zealand Mint.

Cost is NZ$495.00 (around 315 USD) plus shipping.

Due to the low mintage the Queen Elizabeth New Zealand Gold Coin is sure to appreciate in value over the years.

New French Gold Coin

A new French gold coin has been issued by the French Mint.

With the issue of the ‘Europa’, France announces the 9th of the May European Symbol.

The Europa 2006, is a proof gold coin with a face value of 10 euros and contains 1/4 oz of pure gold.

This coin represents the 9th of May, The Day of Europe.

On the 9th May 1950, Robert Schuman, represented, on the obverse of this coin, presented his proposal regarding the organization of Europe; essential in the keeping of pacific relationships. This proposal was known as "Schuman déclaration ", and is considered by many as the founding act of the European Union.

Coin specifications:
Weight - 8,45 gram = 0,30 oz
Diameter - 22 mm = 0,87 inch
Mintage - 3 000
Metal - Gold 920/1000
Quality - Proof
Face value - 10 euros

This coin is very beautiful and, with only 3000 minted, will make a valuable future coin for any coin collector.

Gold Proof Coins - Victoria Cross

The British Royal Mint have issued a two coin set of Gold Proof Coins - Victoria Cross.

They are beautifully made in 22 carat gold to proof quality.

These Victoria Cross coins celebrate the 150th anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross and are presented in a luxurious red two-coin presentation case.

The set consists of two fifty pence coins commemorating the 150th anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross, one focuses on the award itself whilst the second honors the heroic acts performed.

There is a Limited issue - taken from the overall issue limit of 1000 for each coin.

Specifications of each coin are:
Struck in gleaming 22 carat gold to Proof quality.
Alloy: 22 Carat Gold
Weight: 15.5 grams
Diameter: 27.3 mm
Denomination: 50 Pence

Price from the British Royal Mint is 650.00 British pounds, around 1145 US Dollars.

This two coin set of Gold Proof Coins - Victoria Cross is quite beautiful and is sure to be an impressive addition to any coin collection.

2006 Queens 80th Birthday £5 Gold Proof

April 21st is the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who this year celebrates her 80th birthday. To commemorate this royal occasion the British Royal mint is issuing a 2006 Queens 80th Birthday 5 pound gold proof coin.

As per the Royal Mint, “Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at 2.40 am 21st April 1926 and enjoyed a happy carefree childhood with her devoted parents, taking in her stride the change of status to heir of the throne at just 10 years of age.

Her fairy-tale wedding in 1947 began one of the world’s most celebrated marriages and her accession to the throne in 1952 began one of the longest reigns in the English monarchy. Her 80th birthday will therefore be a day of great national celebration and we are proud to strike special crowns in precious 22 carat gold as well as lustrous sterling silver.

The richly symbolic reverse was created by Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn who says, ‘every time we look at the coins we can almost hear the fanfare inviting all to rejoice and join in the celebrations’, whilst the obverse features the Queen’s own portrait by Ian Rank Broadley, FRBS.”

This superb coin is struck in 22 carat gold with a limited mintage of 2,750. This is a proof quality coin with the highest possible standard of minting.

Each crown comes with its own booklet containing a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Deputy Master of the Royal Mint.

Any coin collector would be happy to have and own this beautiful 2006 Queens 80th Birthday £5 Gold Proof in their collection.