Beautiful World Coins

Celebrate 25 Years of the Canadian Loonie with this 2012 Two Loons 99.99% Silver Proof Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Loonie, the iconic Canadian one-dollar coin bearing the image of a great Canadian symbol, with this unique commemorative 2012 silver proof coin.

The reverse of this painted beauty features Canadian artist Richard Hunt’s Two Loons. The image, steeped in the tradition of Hunt’s Kwaguilth first nation heritage, depicts two loons facing one another in profile, beak-to-beak, each with one stylized wing raised above its diamond-patterned black and-gray back. The image is then mirrored beneath them, as though their 'kiss' is reflected in water. While the loons at the top of the image are white with gray detailing, those in the reflection are entirely gray, except for their red-toned eyes. A circle of white diamond shapes against the black frame surrounding the image represent the birds’ markings. The image is quartered into alternating light green and red segments behind the loons. The red coloring in the image depicts the stunning orange-red of a West Coast sunset.

Year: 2012

Face value: 1 Dollar

Finish: Proof, with colored reverse

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The Stunning 2011 Buck Moon $5 Sterling Silver and Niobium Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to issue this 2011 Buck Moon limited-edition 5-dollar coin featuring a niobium metal inset, a Royal Canadian Mint first! On this stunning coin, a young buck stands poised before a full Summer moon. Future issues will show a hunter patiently tracking his quarry, a howling wolf set against a backdrop of a full Winter moon, and a cluster of phlox blossoming before a Spring moon. Each coloring will be selectively applied to the niobium insert to enhance the season’s theme.

In North America, the First Nations tribes that comprise the Algonquin people looked to the moon to track time. They assigned a name to every full moon to reflect the seasonal activities that accompanied each cycle. Theirs was a vast territory that extended from Lake Superior to the eastern seaboard, resulting in a variety of names throughout the Algonquin community. The buck, hunter, wolf and pink full moons represent summer, autumn, winter and spring. July is the quintessential month of summer. Its full moon is known as Thunder Moon or Summer Moon, but its most common name is Buck Moon to reflect the fact that bucks in the North American wilderness are beginning to grow new antlers—a vision of elegance and strength inspired by the ever-changing cycle of life.

Each niobium core was selectively oxidized to create a unique finish—no two coins are exactly alike!

Year: 2011

Face value: 5 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper, with Niobium for the Inner Core

Size: 28 mm

Weight: 8.5 grams

Mintage: 7,500

The 2011 Grizzly Bear 99.99% Silver Bullion 5-Dollar Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to issue the 2011 "Grizzly" silver bullion coin; the second coin from its popular Canadian Wildlife 9999 fine one-ounce silver bullion coin series (the first one was the 2011 Lone Wolf Silver Bullion 5-Dollar Coin). Launched on January 28th, 2011, at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany, this silver bullion coin is struck from one ounce of 99.99% pure silver and bears a $5 face value.

The Grizzly Bear is one of the strongest and most impressive mammals in North America. It can run at speeds of 28 miles/hour and can weigh between 220-880 pounds. Standing up to eight feet tall, the solitary Grizzly lives in the tundra of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as the subalpine forests of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

The grizzly design on this coin's reverse is the work of Senior Mint Engraver William Woodruff. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, created in 2003 by Canadian portrait artist Susanna Blunt.

The Royal Canadian Mint will release a further two annual issues for both 2012 and 2013. A total of six different species will be represented in finely crafted bullion coins that are struck of the same pure silver as the Mint's world-famous Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins.

Year: 2011

Face value: 5 Dollars

Finish: Specimen

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams 

Mintage: 1,000,000

Celebrate Valentine's Day with the 2011 Love Silver Proof Coin from Australia!

Issued by the Perth Mint as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the 2011 Love Silver Proof Coin features a colored representation of two white doves framed by a pink ribbon heart. The design also includes a background of frosted swirls and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The coin’s obverse depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the face value and the year of issue. It's the perfect Valentine's Day silver gift!

For centuries, across many cultures, the dove has been a symbol of love and purity. The dove is often depicted with Aphrodite and Venus, the Goddesses of Love. As a profound token of affection, the dove represents a promise of fidelity and loyalty. White doves are often released at weddings, to symbolise the love, beauty and hope for the loving couple.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2011

Face value: $0.50

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 36.6 mm

Weight: 15.591 grams

Mintage: 7,500

The Magnificent 2010 99.99% Pure Gold Caribou Coin from the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint's spirit of innovation shines bright with this all-new pure gold coin featuring the caribou design from the traditional 25-cent circulation coin.

The 25-cent coin that entered circulation in 1937 as part of a new, modern coin series was introduced to better reflect Canada’s national identity. The Arctic, as essential a theme now as then, was the inspiration for Canadian sculptor Emanuel Hahn (1881-1957) who created this enduring image of a caribou; a design that has not changed in 73 years. During his career, Emanuel Hahn created a number of Canadian coin designs, including the designs for the "Voyageur" silver dollar of 1935 and the Nova Scotian racing schooner “Bluenose” on the 10-cent circulation coin.

Crafted in 99.99% fine gold, this coin is the smallest gold coin ever offered by the Royal Canadian Mint. It's a proud and very collectible keepsake of Canada.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2010

Face value: 25 Cents

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% Gold

Size: 11 mm

Weight: 0.5 grams

Mintage: 15,000

The first of the Australian Bush Babies Coin Series: The 2010 Baby Kangaroo Silver Proof Coin

Issued by the Perth Mint as part of the new Australian Bush Babies Series, this 2010 silver proof coin shows the adorable wide-eyed innocence of a young kangaroo.

Colored coin designs have never looked more delightful and charming than on the coins from this new Perth Mint series portraying cute and cuddly Australian baby animals. The first Australian Bush Babies coin depicts Australian artist Elise Martinson’s gorgeous interpretation of an infant kangaroo. The next four coins in this series will portray a baby sugar glider, a dingo, a bilby and a koala.

This coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse includes representations of Australian native flowers and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse of each coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the silver content, the face value and the 2010 year-date.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Proof with Colored Reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 36.6 mm

Weight: 15.591 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The latest in the Animals of the World Series: The 2010 Lesser Horseshoe Bat Silver Proof Coin

The National Bank of Poland just issued their latest coin in the Animals of the World Series. It features the lesser horseshoe bat and shows flying bats, a wooden shed, and silhouettes of bats hanging upside down.

The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) belongs to the family of horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae). Currently, the genus consists of 77 species, five of which inhabit Europe. In Poland, the habitat of the lesser horseshoe bat covers the Kraków-Częstochowa Highland, the Polish Carpathian mountains (excluding the Tatras) and the Polish Sudety mountains. Single specimens have been spotted in Podkarpacie and Śląsk Opolski area. The most numerous population inhabits the Beskidy mountains. The lesser horseshoe bat (average weight: 4–8 grams) is one of the smallest bats living in Poland. Its fur is soft and fluffy, light brown or grey- and-brown on the dorsal side; the bat’s ventral fur is paler and greyish. Juveniles are coloured darker than adult bats.

According to the Polish Red Data Book of Animals, the species is classified as an endangered species. Adramatic decline in the population of horseshoe bats in Europe (in Poland, reaching over 90%) took place in 1950s–1980s. This came as a consequence of a widespread use of highly toxic pesticides, both in agriculture and forestry. Currently, the population of the lesser horseshoe bat appears to have reached a stable number, and showing an increase in some locations. Nevertheless, it remains a species highly in danger of extinction.

Mint: Warsaw

Year: 2010

Face value: 20 zlotych

Finish: Proof

Composition: 92.5% Silver

Size: 38.61 mm

Weight: 28.28 grams

Mintage: 100,000

The Colorful 2010 Clownfish Silver Proof Coin from Australia

Issued by the Perth Mint as part of the Australian Sea Life Series, this 2010 silver proof coin shows a clownfish, one of the most eagerly anticipated sights of any dive on Australia’s world-famous tropical reef systems.

Bright orange with three black-bordered white stripes, this remarkable fish has natural protection from the stinging cells on the waving tentacles of the sea anemone in which it prefers to live. Growing up to 8 cm in length, Clownfish occur in sheltered tropical waters, including the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

Like the other releases from this Australian Sea Life Series celebrating five fascinating reef dwellers (the 2009 Lionfish, the 2009 Leafy Sea Dragon, the 2010 Seahorse and the 2010 Moray Eel), this coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse of each coin includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

 

Mint: Perth

Year: 2010

Face value: 50 Cents

Finish: Proof with Colored Reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 26.6 mm

Weight: 15.573 grams

Mintage: 10,000

The 2010 Year of the Tiger Silver Proof Lunar Lotus Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint introduces this beautiful 2010 Year of the Tiger Silver Proof $15 Coin, the first coin in a 12-year series featuring unique scalloped-shaped coins, reminiscent of a lotus flower.

The Year of the Tiger also ruled 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998. However, people born in January or February should consult the Chinese lunar calendar. New Year does not automatically fall on January 1st. This celebration is better known as the Spring Festival and coincides with the first day of spring—a date that shifts from year to year depending upon the lunar cycle and solar year.

The year 2010 is ruled by the Tiger, a majestic animal. The Tiger personality is equally impressive; powerful and daring. Expect a lot of activity when the dynamic Tiger is in your midst. The Tiger is restless and reckless, always ready for action. His zest for life is contagious. The Tiger is incredibly funny, impulsive and sometimes quick-tempered. He may not be the most objective leader, but his fiery passion and fearlessness ultimately capture people’s admiration and respect.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2010

Face value: 15 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 26.29 grams

Mintage: 19,888

The 2010 Dromaeosaurus silver proof $4 coin, the last of the dinosaur coins from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint introduces the 2010 Dromaeosaurus silver proof coin, the fourth and last coin in the Dinosaurs series celebrating Western Canada's reputation as a treasure trove of fossil specimens. The dinosaurs' fossilized bones testify to the massive beasts that once ruled the earth but disappeared suddenly 65 million years ago. Discovered by paleontologists in the late 1800's, they inspired generations of dinosaur hunters and established Canada as one of the richest sources of Late Cretaceous fossils on earth.

*** 10/28/09 Update: The Royal Canadian Mint just announced that this very popular dinosaur coin series will be extended! A 5th coin will be issued in the Fall of 2010. ***

Dromaeosaurus (or “running lizard”) was one of two raptor species that lived in Alberta between 74 and 76 million years ago when the province and neighboring Saskatchewan were the lush subtropical shore of a great inland sea. These dinosaurs ran upright on their two hind legs. They measured about 2.5 m (8.25 ft) from head to tail and would normally weigh less than 20 kg (44 lb). They had clawed hands on their fore limbs and sharp, recurved teeth that were perfectly designed for slicing into prey.

This coin features a captivating design of fossilized dinosaur bones with a selective aging technique that enhances the characteristics of these prehistoric creatures, giving the impression of a real stone fossil. Variations in tone and color are a direct result of this process. No two coins are alike.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2010

Face value: 4 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 34 mm

Weight: 15.87 grams

Mintage: 20,000

The previous dinosaur coin in this series was the 2009 Tyrannosaurus Rex.