The collector coin minted as a gold and silver combination with a nominal value of €50, (the first time this denomination) is designed by Henna Lamberg. The coin’s obverse depicts alternative smooth and uneven surfaces including triangular and peaked effects that give it a distinctive look and tactile attributes resulting in a three-dimensional appearance.  The text on the coin reads “WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL HELSINKI 2012” and is placed around the inner disc which is off-center. The Mint’s logo appears towards the end of the legend.

The reverse of the coin includes an opposite illustration of the center disc as seen on the obverse and also includes the coin’s denomination positioned at the top along with free-style and directional linear additions all around the center disc which are  recessed into the silver ring. The text “SUOMI FINLAND” is also seen towards the lower portion.

Specifications for this coin include a combination of gold, (.750 fine) and sterling silver with a total weight of 10.8 grams and a diameter of 27.2 mm. The coin is produced in proof quality with a total mintage of 5,000 pieces in total. A 5 €URO aluminum-bronze coin with the same design is also being launched by the Mint of Finland.

For more information about this and other coins offered by the Mint, please visit their website at: http://www.suomenrahapaja.fi/eng/commemorative-and-collector-coins/world-design-capital-helsinki-2012-50

Related posts:

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2. €2 Coin Celebrates Central Bank of Finland 200th Anniversary
3. United Future World Currency Silver Coin in Space

Public Law 110-456 authorized the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, which will feature a series of rotating reverse designs on the quarter dollar representing a national park or site in each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. The same law also provides for the issuance of five ounce .999 fine silver bullion coins featuring duplicate designs of the quarters. The law indicates that these bullion coins will be issued in quantities that the Secretary of the Treasury determines are appropriate.

With regards to the period of availability, the law states:

Bullion coins minted under paragraph (1)—
‘‘(A) shall become available for sale no sooner than the first day of the calendar year in which the circulating quarter dollar of which such bullion coin is a duplicate is issued; and
‘‘(B) may only be available for sale during the year in which such circulating quarter dollar is issued.

The 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters were launched into circulation on January 24, 2011 (Gettysburg), April 4, 2011 (Glacier), June 13, 2011 (Olympic), August 29, 2011 (Vicksburg), and November 14, 2011 (Chickasaw).

Based on these release dates and in accordance with (A), each of the 2011-dated America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins could be released no sooner than January 1, 2011. The bullion coins actually went on sale to authorized purchasers on April 25, 2011 (Gettysburg and Glacier), May 23, 2011 (Olympic), June 20, 2011 (Vicksburg), and July 18, 2011 (Chickasaw).

The US Mint has interpreted (B) "may only be available for sale during the year in which such circulating quarter dollar is issued" to mean that the coins can be available for sale during any year in which the corresponding quarter dollar is issued.

Michael White of the United States Mint Office of Public Affairs provided this statement from the legal department:

Regarding the sale of 2011-dated ATB Silver Bullion coins in 2012, 31 U.S.C. § 5112(d)(1) in part states, “coins have an inscription of the year of minting or issuance.”  This means an ATBQ coin that is minted in, say, 2010, can be issued in 2011 (and, indeed, they were issued in 2011).  So when 31 U.S.C. § 5112(u)(2)(B) states, “may only be available for sale during the year in which such circulating quarter dollar is issued,” it means that the 2010 5-ounce silver bullion ATBQ coins can also be issued in 2011 (because 2011 is a “year in which such circulating quarter dollar [i.e., the 2010 ATBQ coin] is issued.”

Even if this is a valid interpretation, it is arguable that this was not truly the intention of the authorizing legislation. The United States Mint generally does have the authority to issue coins across multiple years, unless there is a specific requirement otherwise. The 2010-dated America the Beautiful Quarters have actually continued to be issued into 2012 within various numismatic products sold to collectors. The "issuance" of coins in this fashion can continue for many years into the future, making the sales limitation on bullion coins, as the US Mint is interpreting it, essentially meaningless.

The intention of the law was more likely to limit sales of the bullion coins to the initial year of issue for the corresponding quarter. Under this interpretation, the 2010-dated ATB Quarters regardless of year minted were initially issued in 2010 and the bullion coins could only be available for sale during the year 2010. In fact, the legislation states “may only be available for sale during the year in which the circulating quarter dollar is issued.” It does not say the years (plural) or provide any other indication that the limitation on sales should be so limitless.

The sales limitation specified under the law did not come into play for the release of the 2010-dated America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins. The US Mint was only able to produce 33,000 coins for each of the five designs, which were all made available to authorized purchasers in early December 2011. All 165,000 of the coins were sold to authorized purchasers by December 23, 2011.

For the 2011-dated coins, the US Mint had recorded sales of 397,700 coins by the end of the 2011 calendar year. During 2012, the US Mint has sold an additional 5,700 of the 2011-dated coins based on the latest available sales figures.

The US Mint has confirmed plans to offer both bullion and numismatic versions of the 2012 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Coins in reduced quantities. Information on the releases dates is not yet known.

Related posts:

1. Slow Sales Continue for 2011 America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins
2. 2011 America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin Sales Slower
3. 2011 America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin Sales Reach 237,800

The US Mint began sales of numismatic bags and rolls of the El Yunque National Forest Quarter on February 3, 2012. This represented the eleventh release in the ongoing America the Beautiful Quarters Program, featuring national parks and sites from the 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Through the reporting date of February 6, 2012, the US Mint has recorded sales of 2,189 and 2,131 of the 100-coin bags from the Philadelphia and Denver Mint, respectively, and 15,542 of the two roll sets containing 40 coins from each mint.

Starting with this product release, the US Mint had significantly reduced the prices with the 100-coin bags priced at $34.95 compared to $49.95 in the prior year and the two roll sets priced at $32.95 compared to $39.95. So far, the price decreases have not resulted in stronger sales. The debut figures for the El Yunque Quarter 100-coin bags are down slightly from the debut figures for the previous Chickasaw Quarter bags. The number of two roll sets is down by about 12%. However, it should be noted that the debut figures for the present release include only three days worth of sales, while the debut numbers for the previous release covered seven days worth of sales.

For the week, the US Mint recorded sales of 14,286 of the 2011-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles. This is a big jump from the 4,455 coins sold in the previous week. Many collectors view the product as a relative bargain. Just before the start of the year, the US Mint reduced the price of the offering to $45.95 per coin. Since that date, the market price of silver has risen by more than $5 per ounce, while the product price has remained unchanged.

The complete US Mint numismatic product sales report appears below. The figures are compiled through February 6, 2012. The first number column represents total sales through the reporting date, and the second number column represents the change in sales since the last report. Products with sales followed by an asterisk (*) are no longer available from the United States Mint. Products listed in bold make their debut on this report. Currently available US Mint products can be found online at http://catalog.usmint.gov/

Related posts:

1. 2012 El Yunque National Forest Quarter Bags and Rolls Available
2. El Yunque National Forest Featured on Quarter
3. Sales Conclude Next Week for Certain US Mint Products

In my work as a numismatic writer and blogger, I often am asked to grade condition rarity via digital photography, without examining the item in my hand (apart from the keyboard). Usually I turn down such requests because my judgment may differ from that of a slabbing company, and then email complaints and demurs start to fly if my assessment differs.

Occasionally I will make exceptions, as I did for an auctioneer who specializes in excellent photography and who sells coins via the online portal Proxibid.

Recently the auctioneer emailed some photos of an 1884-S Morgan dollar, typically available for $100 or less in EF40 but that jumps in price as a condition rarity to $600+ in AU55 to $25,000 in MS62.

As such, this was an interesting case for me to take on when the auctioneer described the coin: "Here are some photos of the 84-S. Mirrored fields have some minor scratches; doesn't appeared to have been cleaned. Owner thinks it is MS60/62. It has some definite DMPL [deep mirror prooflike] qualities but sometimes that makes a coin look worse than it actually is. As you know an AU58 to MS60 is a big jump. Any input would be greatly appreciated."

Click on and expand the photos accompanying this post. You'll see in the first photo how I test for mint state. Many numismatists go for eagle breast feathers on the reverse, but my telling point is the hair above the ear on the obverse. That's how I can distinguish a slider (AU58, noticeable wear) from mint state (MS60 and above, little if any wear).

The hair here is inconclusive. It looks AU55-58. But this could be a weak strike. I'm leaning toward AU58, but it still can be MS60-61.

The next photo provides a straight-on shot of the obverse, and there are disturbing lines in different directions at various points in the fields, especially to the left of the profile. The coin may be cleaned. If not, it may be damaged in the cheek area or worse, tooled. I just can't tell from the photo.

I wrote the auctioneer, "Look with a loop to see if you discern uniform hairlines indicating tooling.I'm hoping those are album slide marks and not circulation marks or a poor attempt at altered surfaces."

The next photo shows mirrored fields. Such a coin's surface must reflect at least 4 inches away from newsprint to be designated deep mirror prooflike. This seems to show that. However, with top grading companies, the devices have to be frosted and distinct from the fields. This doesn't seem to have that quality.

Now go to the last photo here, a straight-on shot of the reverse.

The owner, who believes the coin to be MS60-62 DMPL, is typically looking on the bright side--literally. The left field is heavily marked, disqualifying the coin, unless the picture is faulty (I think not). The coin does have some deep-mirror properties (obverse field and devices, reverse fields--but not devices). There is too much noise for this to be DMPL, too. There's a chance of this being labeled proof-like, if the cheek isn't tooled.

If altered, the coin is a show piece for an album worth about $400 because of the mirrored fields.

My conclusion? There is too much noise on the obverse cheek and around the cheek to the extent that this will not slab at PCGS or NGC. Because 1884-S coins with this much going for it are exceedingly rare, there would be a better chance that this will slab at ANACS or ICG, although that is very doubtful as well. Slabbing by third- and bottom-tier companies is a telltale sign in numismatic circles that the coin didn't pass muster at first- and second-tier grading companies.

If sent to PCGS, whose standards I know best, my guess would be "Genuine, altered surfaces." At NGC, my guess would be "Improperly cleaned, AU55." But this is only as judged through a camera's lens. If analyzed with a loop in person, the coin may turn out to be low mint state, prooflike. Or worse: obviously doctored.

Here's what I proposed to the auctioneer: "Tell the owner that you need to send this to PCGS. It's worth the money to see how this will slab, if at all. Potentially, this coin may be a $400 or $7500 piece given the spread of those grades. I'd say chances are better than a lottery ticket."

The auctioneer liked that advice and is planning to submit the coin for grading. What is YOUR assessment?

Related posts:

1. Another New NGC Label “First Releases”
2. My Top 10 Morgan Dollar Varieties
3. Agreeing to Disagree on Grades

El Yunque Nationl Forest is located in Puerto Rico and is the only tropical rainforest within the U.S. National Forest System. The reverse design of the coin features a Coqui tree frost sitting on a leaf and a Puerto Rican parrot behind an epiphyte plant with tropical flora in the background. Inscriptions around the outer edge read "El Yunque", "Puerto Rico", "2012", and "E Pluribus Unum".

The obverse design of the coin contains a portrait of George Washington designed by John Flanagan for the 1932 Washington Quarter. The inscriptions include "United States of America", "Liberty", "In God We Trust", and "Quarter Dollar".

The US mint offers bags and rolls of the El Yunque Quarters struck on the main production floors of the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. The packaging for each product indicates the name of the park, state abbreviation, year of issue, mint mark, and face value of the contents. The 100-coin bags are available from each mint and priced at $34.95. The two rolls sets contain one 40-coin roll from each mint and are priced at $32.95.

There is no stated maximum product limit or household ordering limit in place. The numismatic bags and rolls are expected to remain on sale for one year from the original release date. The products can be found online at http://catalog.usmint.gov

The El Yunque National Forest Quarters were entered circulation on January 23, 2012.

Related posts:

1. El Yunque National Forest Featured on Quarter
2. US Mint Launches Olympic National Park Quarter
3. Olympic National Park Featured on Quarter

The reverse design for the 2012 Koala Silver Proof Coin features an inner panel with the depiction of a koala in a gum tree in pure Australian Opal. The outer panel depicts Eucalypt leaves and blossoms, the new moon, and a star group known as the Southern Cross, which is only visible in the southern hemisphere. The reverse includes the inscriptions "Koala" and "2012 1 oz 999 silver", as well as the Perth Mint's "P" mint mark.

The obverse of the coin features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II placed within a circular pattern. The inscriptions include "Elizabeth II", "Australia", and the legal tender denomination "1 Dollar".

Each coin contains one troy ounce of silver content. The diameter of each coin is 36.60 mm and the thickness is 4.50 mm. There is a limited mintage of 8,000 pieces, with a current limit of one per customer.

A special display case has been created for the series, with a light that turns on as it is opened. This is intended to represent the moon shining down on the nocturnal animal. The case is packaged within an illustrated shipper with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

The Australian Opal series will include eight coins in total, released at a rate of two coins per year. The coins will feature different nocturnal Australian animals and all eight phases of the moon. The next release for 2012 will feature the wombat.

For further information and ordering, please visit the Perth Mint's product page.

Related posts:

1. Australian 2012 Year of the Dragon Gold and Silver Proof Coins
2. 2012 Australian Silver Kookaburra Coins
3. Perth Mint Unveils 2012 Australian Silver Koala Coins

The reverse design of the latest release features the depiction of a majestic moose by Senior Mint Engraver William Woodruff. The moose is Canada's largest land mammal and rules the forests from Newfoundland to the Pacific Coast. Inscriptions include "Canada", "Fine Silver 1 oz Argent Pur", and "9999". The obverse design of the coin features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by portrait artist Susanna Blunt.

The 99.99% pure one ounce silver bullion coins carry a face value of $5. The Royal Canadian Mint's Ottawa facility will produce up to one million "Moose" silver bullion coins, which will soon be available through the Mint's network of bullion distributors.

Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint said, “The Mint’s Silver Wildlife bullion coin series has been a perennial success with investors and collectors world-wide and we are proud that the market’s enthusiastic response to these coins proves once more that the Royal Canadian Mint’s products are at the head of their class.”

Previous releases of the series have featured the timber wolf (2011), grizzly (2011), and cougar (2012). Two additional designs for the series will be released by early 2013.

Image provided courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint.

Related posts:

1. Royal Canadian Mint Offers Silver $20 Commemorative Coin at Face Value
2. Royal Canadian Mint Unveils 2012 Cougar Silver Bullion Coins
3. Royal Canadian Mint’s Tribute to the Elusive 1911 Silver Dollar

Commemorative coin programs are authorized by acts of Congress to celebrate and honor American peoples, places, events, or institutions. The authorizing legislation dictates the specific denominations to be issued, maximum mintage levels, design requirements, and period of issue. Legislation also typically requires that certain surcharges be added to the cost of each coin for later distribution to a recipient organization or project.

The United States Army Commemorative Coin Program included $5 gold coins, silver dollars, and clad composition half dollars. The surcharges included within the sales price s for the coins were $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, and $5 per half dollar. Based on sales figures, the program generated estimated total surcharges of $3,055,735.00. The funds are directed to be paid to the Army Historical Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the United States Army.

The Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin program included $5 gold coins and silver dollars. The surcharges included within the sales prices of the coins were $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver dollar. Based on the sales figures, the program generated estimated total surcharges of $2,495,395. The funds are directed to be paid to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance the educational, scholarship and outreach programs.

Under the requirements of United States Code Title 31, Section 5134(f), the surcharges may only be distributed provided that all numismatic program costs have been recovered. Additionally, the recipient organization must demonstrate that they have raised funds from private sources in an amount equal to or greater than the funds generated from commemorative coin surcharges. If the matching funds are not raised within two years of the conclusion of commemorative coin sales, then the surcharges are deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

Related posts:

1. 2012 Star Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Designs Announced
2. US Mint 2011 Commemorative Coin Sales Conclude Next Week
3. U.S. Mint Relists 2011 Gold Commemorative Coins at New Fixed Prices

The coin is issued within the annual EUROPA star series which highlights various subjects within a harmonized Europe-wide program. Struck by the Mint of Hungary in Budapest, the coin’s design is the work of Mihaly Fritz and includes a profile portrait of the Man himself along with his name and date of his birth and the year he died, 1977. To the lower right of the portrait is the EUROPA logo, an inverted star integrated with the letter “E” denoting the issue within the program. The reverse depicts portion of one of Remenyi’s well-known plaques called the “Daughters of Danaids” inspired from Greek mythology which was created in 1927.

The coin’s denomination of 5000 Forint appears just to the upper right of the primary design. Struck in sterling silver with a diameter of 38.6 mm and a weight of 31.4 grams, the coin is offered in proof quality with a limited mintage of 6,000 pieces.

For more information on this and other coins issued by the National Bank of Hungary, please visit the Mint of Hungary’s website at http://coins.hu/products/silver_coins/jozsef-remenyi-125anniversary-5000Ft-Ag-proof.html

Related posts:

1. The Tragedy of Man Featured on Hungarian Coin
2. Lutheran Heritage in Hungary Remembered on Silver Coin
3. Duna-Dráva National Park Silver Coin Issued by Hungary

The Lewis and Clark Commemorative Coin Program was authorized to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The authorizing legislation required the issuance of up to 500,000 silver dollars with designs emblematic of the famous expedition. The coins would carry an obverse design depicting Captains Lewis and Clark on a stream bank, planning another day of exploration. The reverse would features two feathers representing the Native American cultures touched by the Corps of Discovery and a rendition of the Jefferson Peace Medal presented to important leaders during the expedition. Seventeen stars represented the number of states in the Union when the expedition began.

The Lewis and Clark Coinage and Currency Set went on sale May 12, 2004, the same day that individual coin sales also began. The product was limited to 50,000 sets and priced at $90. This product would include an array of coins, medals, stamps, documents, and a specimen note brought together to recall the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The United States Mint coins included in the set were the two 2004 Jefferson Nickels issued under the Westward Journey series, with reverse designs featuring the Peace Medal and Keelboat, one 2004-D Sacagawea Dollar, and one uncirculated version of the 2004 Lewis and Clark Silver Dollar. Additionally, a silver plated bronze duplicate of the Jefferson Peace Medal was included.

Three stamps were included from the United States Postal Service. These 37-cent stamps featuring Lewis and Clark were designed by Michael Deas and issued by the USPS on May 14, 2004.

From the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a replica Series 1901 $10 "Bison" United States Note was included in the set. The note included the portraits of Lewis and Clark to either side of an American Bison.

The set was completed with two informational booklets written by archivists from the National Archives and Records Administration about the expedition and the Louisiana Purchase.

Collectors responded to the Lewis and Clark Coinage and Currency Sets enthusiastically, with the US Mint reporting heavier than normal ordering activity on their website and at their telephone center. In order to provide the widest distribution possible, the US Mint announced that a limit of only ten sets per order would be imposed. Orders previously received in excess of the limit were adjusted. Within one week, the entire limited production of 50,000 sets was sold out.

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2004 Lewis and Clark Coinage & Note Currency Set    US $124.50

2004 Lewis & Clark Coinage and Currency Set - Complete w/Booklets    US $33.00

2004 Lewis & Clark Coinage and Currency Set STILL SEALED - UPOPENED!!    US $37.00

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