2007 Gateshead Millennium Bridge £1 Gold Proof

The British Royal Mint have recently issued the 2007 Gateshead Millennium Bridge £1 Gold Proof in a limited edition of only 1500 available world wide.

This limited-edition gold Proof one pound coin for 2007 is the final Bridge design is a series of four.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Gateshead on the south bank, and Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank. The award-winning structure was conceived by architects Wilkinson Eyre, with structural engineers Gifford.

Minuscule hydraulic rams, one on each side, tilt the bridge back on special pivots to allow small ships and boats to pass underneath. Its appearance during this tilting of the bridge has led to it being nicknamed the Blinking Eye Bridge.

Struck in 22 carat gold, this splendid Proof coin has an original reverse design by the artist Edwina Ellis. The design celebrates the United Kingdom's engineering accomplishments by featuring a superb depiction of the modern Gateshead Millennium Bridge. This coin is accompanied by a Certificate attesting to its authenticity and worldwide issue limit of 1,500.
Limited-edition of only 1,500 available worldwide

Specification include:
Crafted in 22 carat gold
Struck to exacting Proof quality
Features the new reverse design by artist Edwina Ellis
Ian Rank-Broadley's elegant portrait of the Queen features on the obverse
Beautifully displayed in an elegant presentation case
Accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Chief Executive of the Royal Mint.
Code: UK07GP
£375.00

It is likely the 2007 Gateshead Millennium Bridge £1 Gold Proof will become a much sort after gold coin in the years to come.

2007 4-coin £1 Coin Gold Bridge Series

The British Royal Mint has issued a limited edition of 300 sets on of the 2007 4-coin £1 Coin Gold Bridge Series

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Gateshead on the south bank, and Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank. The award-winning structure was conceived by architects Wilkinson Eyre, with structural engineers Gifford.

The bridge was lifted into place in one piece by the Asian Hercules II, one of the world's largest floating cranes, in November 2000. It was opened to the public a year later.

According to the mint, "Beautifully made in 22 carat gold, the Bridge series of one pounds includes four Proof coins representing Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England."

"Designed by the artist Edwina Ellis, each coin has been struck to exacting Proof standard and each has a border relating to the bridge depicted. Each set is beautifully housed in a luxurious presentation case and is completed with a Certificate of Authenticity."

This is a first time offer of a complete set of four gold coins together

Specifications:
Struck in gleaming 22 carat gold to Proof quality
Reverse design by Edwina Ellis and an obverse of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley, FRBS.
Code: UK0704GS
£1495.00

The 2007 4-coin £1 Coin Gold Bridge Series will make a fine addition to any coin collection.

Beijing Olympics Gold Coins Go On Sale

The People's Bank of China has began to offer for sale the second set of precious metal commemorative coins for the 29th Olympic Games on June 20, 2007.

The set is made up of eight precious metal coins, including two one third ounce gold coins, four one-ounce silver coins, one five-ounce gold coin and one one-kilogram silver coin.

According to an official of China Gold Coins Incorporation, the current issue has a distinctive Chinese flavor. The obverse design of all of the coins features the emblem of the 29th Olympic Games amidst the traditional image of a pair of facing dragons, plus the name of the country and the year "2008".

The reverse design of the one third ounce gold coins shows ancient Chinese swimming and weightlifting respectively and the four one-ounce silver coins have a reverse design featuring the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Beihai Park or the traditional Beijing dwelling house, plus patterns of traditional Chinese painted pottery, enamel and lacquer art and the blue-and-white porcelain respectively.

The five-ounce gold coin's reverse design features the image of traditional Chinese martial arts and an abstract depiction of the five Olympic rings., while the reverse of the one-kilogram silver coin is engraved with an image of dragon boat and horse racing.

The reverse of all coins bear "the 29th Olympic Games" in Chinese in addition to the coin's face value.

The set of coins are sold at the branches of China Gold Coins Incorporation, and by licensed retailers and franchised dealers. Collectors can also visit www.chinamoney.com.cn or call the service department of the corporation.

According to an agreement between the BOCOG and the People's Bank, the latter will issue the third set of coins in 2008. The first set was issued last year. The Beijing Olympics Gold Coins are an excellent set of gold coins and will likely be much in demand over the coming years.

2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p

The worldwide Scout Movement celebrates its centenary this year and in commemoration of this event the British Royal Mint has issued the 2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p

Struck from 22 carat gold, the 2007 Scout Movement Gold Proof Fifty Pence has the captivating mirror finish made possible by the time-honored technique of hand-polishing using fine diamond paste.

In 2007, over 40,000 people will come together in the UK to celebrate the movement's history and ongoing place in the lives of young people at the 21st World Scout Jamboree.

The Scout Movement was born in 1907, the brainchild of Robert Baden-Powell, who had seen active service in the British Army in India, Afghanistan and South Africa.

His brilliant defense of the town of Mafeking over the 217 days from October 1899 to May 1900 was a decisive moment in the Second Boer War; it earned him the nickname, 'the wolf that never sleeps'.

On his return to Britain, Baden-Powell wanted to form a movement that would instill in boys skills and values that he believed would equip them as model citizens and capable young men with a bright future. These boys were the first Scouts.

The very first World Scout Jamboree was held in Olympia in London in 1920. At that time, 8,000 people took part.

Over the years, the Scout Movement became a worldwide phenomenon, open to boys and girls, which now attracts over 28 million young people to its ranks.

This is a coin to treasure as much for what it represents as well as for its numismatic quality.

Just 1,250 such coins will be issued worldwide - an extremely low limit each accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity

The 2007 Scout Movement Gold Proof Fifty Pence features on its reverse a new design by Royal Mint engraver Kerry Jones, who said, 'I was inspired by the creativity, simplicity and the sense of adventure that the Scouts promote'.

Kerry cleverly incorporated three distinct elements for her competition-winning design: the globe, which symbolizes the worldwide growth of the Scout Movement; the Scouts' famous fleur-de-lys emblem; and their motto, 'Be prepared'.

On its obverse, the coin carries the familiar portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

Due to the limited issue of this delightful gold proof coin you will need to order quickly to ensure you get one of the 2007 Scouting Centenary Gold Proof 50p coins.

New Tibetan Gold Coins

Some new Tibetan gold coins have been issued by the Chinese Government.

According to a CCTV broadcast:

"The China Gold Coin Incorporation displayed the "Tibetan Gold" collection for the first time in southern Guangzhou city on Sunday. The issue ceremony was overseen by a living Buddha from Tibet.

A rare sight - a high-ranked living Buddha was the emcee of the coin release. This "Tibetan Gold" amulet is one of 99,999 released, all made of 99.9 percent pure gold. The piece is composed of two gold coins, both depicting images of Buddha. One coin is for men, with a weight of a quarter of ounce; the other coin is for women, with a weight of one-tenth of an ounce.

One set of two coins is priced at 3,800 yuan. All the coins have been blessed by the 11th Panchen Lama and the Lhasa Jokhang Temple.

Also released are the commemorative gold coins of 11th Panchen Lama at a price of 6,000 yuan, Tibetan Railway's completion at a price of 7,800 yuan and 2,550 golden Buddha images."

Tibet has a long history of gold coins some of which can be obtained through specialist dealers on the internet although they are few and far between and require some patience to ferret out. Some of the earlier one, prior to the Chinese occupation, are of excellent value provided you can get them in their original condition.

But gold is gold and new Tibetan gold coins are still valuable and much sort after but with a little patience can still be found!