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 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 Silver Proof Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint presents the 2012 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 Silver Proof Coin, a commemorative 99.99% pure silver coin featuring a British sergeant, Voltigeur Canadien and Iroquois warrior approaching the invader, united in their determination to defend the colonies. Encircling the design are 200 finely struck beads symbolizing the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

For Canadians, the War of 1812 conjures a rich historical moment steeped in both fact and myth, full of heroes, villains, disastrous defeats, and glorious victories. While the conflict did not predestine the emergence of Canada as a nation, outcomes like the sustained sovereignty of British North America and the collaborative experience of resisting American forces would eventually help to feed Canada's transition from British colony to dominion to independent nation.

English and French Canadian colonists and First Nations alike recognized that American invasion threatened their own independence and way of life. They had good reason to fret: the United States continued to expand relentlessly south and westward throughout the nineteenth century. The war was hard fought on both sides for two more years, over which time some of Canada's proudest moments arose. The hard lessons learned in the War of 1812 further strengthened the physical and economic ties between Upper and Lower Canada, driving greater colonial unity. More viscerally, the conflict spawned shared stories and heroes that represent a common thread in the histories of all of Canada's founding peoples.

Year: 2012

Face value: 1 Dollar

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 36.07 mm

Weight: 23.17 grams

Mintage: 40,000

The Solemn Beauty of the 2011 Highway of Heroes $10 Silver Proof Coin from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint presents the 2011 Highway of Heroes $10 Silver Proof Coin, a commemorative 99.99% pure silver coin featuring an overpass along the Highway of Heroes as viewed from the perspective of the mourning family as they accompany their lost loved one along the route.

The Memorial Cross, designed by the Mint following the First World War under order of King George V—and which is presented to the loved ones of fallen soldiers—is carried by saluting soldiers, a symbol of the sacrifice of their fallen comrades-in-arms.

Officially known as the Highway of Heroes, this passageway along the 172-kilometer stretch of Highway 401 between Trenton and Toronto marks the solemn journey of fallen soldiers and their families to the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto, and preparation for their final resting place. The official designation for this stretch of highway was borne of a spontaneous and unprecedented grassroots movement inspired by the thousands of Canadians who, since 2002, have gathered of their own volition along the roadways and overpasses of this route to pay tribute to those who have given their lives for our nation.

For every Highway of Heroes commemorative coin sold, $20 will be donated and shared between the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial and the Military Families Fund.

Year: 2011

Face value: 10 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 34 mm

Weight: 15.87 grams

Mintage: 25,000

Celebrate the Great One with this 2011 Wayne & Walter Gretzky Silver Proof $25 Coin with Hologram

The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to issue this limited-edition 2011 Wayne & Walter Gretzky 99.99% pure silver proof $25 coin featuring the Great One in action with his father, Walter Gretzky, as a cameo.

In Canada, hockey rallies people together, serving as a common denominator among all Canadians. As a child, Wayne Gretzky practiced for hours on end, spending every available moment skating, shooting and practicing his stick-handling. When he was six years old, his father built him a skating rink in the backyard. But Walter Gretzky gave his son much more than an ice rink. He inspired a passion—an unstoppable longing to put blade to ice that transcended technical practice because it was infused with love, support and a sense of play. Today, Wayne is involved with numerous charitable organizations and works tirelessly to bring hockey to the physically challenged and disadvantaged. His father is as supportive as ever, nurturing a passion for which any son would be grateful and proud.

With each coin sold a portion of sales will be donated to Wayne Gretzky Foundation.

Year: 2011

Face value: 25 Dollars

Finish: Proof, with a holographic image of Wayne's jersey number 99 on the reverse

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams

Mintage: 19,999

Transformers III - The 2011 Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee Silver Proof Coins

Issued by the Perth Mint as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the 2011 Transformers III silver proof coins feature three robot characters: MEGATRON, OPTIMUS PRIME, and BUMBLEBEE. Licensed from Hasbro, all three colored commemorative 99.9% silver coins incorporate the inscription TRANSFORMERS, the Autobot or Decepticon logo, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as well as the year of issue.

The Transformers come from the planet Cybertron and are able to "transform", rearranging their bodies into common or innocuous forms, including vehicles, devices or animals. Long ago, Megatron was admired as one of Cybertron’s greatest champions, but over time, intense pride corrupted him. Using his unmatched power and rage, Megatron rules the Decepticons with an iron fist. He will do anything in his power to destroy Optimus Prime and the Autobots and claim the universe for himself. For thousands of years, Optimus Prime and the Autobots travelled through space in search of the AllSpark. For Optimus Prime, nothing is more important than freedom, and his driving goal is to protect the universe from the evil of Megatron and his Decepticon forces. He is one of the most powerful Transformers, but it is his skill, his determination, and his honor that make him the greatest of all. Sent to Earth ahead of the other Autobots, Bumblebee served as both scout and as protector of Sam Witwicky. Bumblebee is an expert at infiltration and observation, and what he lacks in size he more than makes up for in Spark. Optimus Prime and the Autobots know they can always count on Bumblebee to fight for the heroic ideals of freedom and justice.

See the 2009 Transformers Silver Coins.

Mint: Perth

Year: 2011

Face value: $1

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 99.9% silver

Size: 40.6 mm

Weight: 31.135 grams

Mintage: 5,000 each

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 Beatification of John Paul II Silver Proof 2011 Coin from Poland

The National Bank of Poland commemorates the Beatification of John Paul II with this colorful 2011 silver proof coin. Before hundreds of thousands of the Roman Catholic faithful, the late Pope John Paul II was beatified Sunday May 1st, 2011 in a ceremony that declared him "blessed" and put the Polish pontiff one step closer to sainthood. A packed St. Peter's Square erupted in applause when the current pope, Benedict XVI, recited the words that elevated his predecessor, whose massive portrait was then unveiled over the doorway of the basilica.

Karol Józef Wojtyła, known as John Paul II since his October 1978 election to the papacy, was born in Wadowice, a small city 50 kilometres from Krakow, on May 18, 1920. He was elected Pope on October 16, 1978 and on October 22 began His Universal Pastoral Ministery in the Church. No other Pope has encountered so many individuals like John Paul II: to date, more than 17,600,000 pilgrims have participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1,160). Such figure is without counting all other special audiences and religious ceremonies held [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone] and the millions of faithful met during pastoral visits made in Italy and throughout the world. It must also be remembered the numerous government personalities encountered during 38 official visits and in the 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and even the 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers. He died in Rome, in Vatican, at 9.37 p.m. on saturday April 2, 2005.

The reverse features the Pope John Paul II against a colored image of the terrestrial globe and a semicircular inscription: BEATYFIKACJA JANA PAWLA II and the date 1 V 2011.

Mint: Warsaw

Year: 2011

Face value: 20 zlotych

Finish: Proof with colored reverse

Composition: 92.5% Silver

Size: 38.61 mm

Weight: 28.28 grams

Mintage: 80,000

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 2010 Pine Cones and Snowflake Silver & Gold Proof Coins from Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint just issued their latest Holiday commemorative coins. A new series offers two 99.99% pure silver coins showcasing the intricate structure and beauty of pine cones, enhanced with genuine Swarovski Elements.

The Holidays are a time of garlands and wreaths filled with evergreen boughs and pine cones; it’s a tradition that dates back to ancient times. People feared the darkening, cold days of winter and would light fires and decorate their homes with evergreen boughs to bring back the light and warmer weather. At the same time, they also noticed the pine, fir and spruce trees stayed green and preserved their fruits. As such, they became symbols of life, rebirth and re-generation.

The 2010 Moonlight and Ruby coins each show a pair of pine cones with a crystal-effect to enhance the pine needles and a decorative ribbon along the coin’s edge.

The Royal Canadian Mint also issued for the fourth year two 99.99% pure silver coins and a 14-karat gold coin showcasing the crystalline beauty of a snowflake shimmering with genuine Swarovski Elements—a round cluster of six crystals.

Snow influences everyday life across Canada; so much so, that extensive research has been undertaken to understand how this climatic phenomenon works. Canada is recognized for developing the world’s most accurate gauge for recording snowfall, as well as automated sensors that measure snow accumulation and melt on major glaciers and ice sheets. However, most people will agree that snow’s most endearing features are the beauty it brings to the landscape.

Its tiny ice crystals come in countless shapes and sizes. If the weather is very cold, the snowflakes will fall as “dry” powder. Or, they may form slender columns that look like tiny wooden pencils under a microscope. But, snowflake seekers can be treated to the iconic star shape that can be seen when the conditions are just right. Windless conditions and -15°C (5°F) temperatures mean every ice crystal can grow large and drift gently earthward without hitting any other crystals to form its sixsided shape.

The 2010 Blue and Tanzanite Snowflake silver coins, as well as the gold coin each show a six-sided dendrite ice crystal overlaid with Swarovski Elements.

 

See the 2007 and 2008 Snowflake coins

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2010

Face value: 20 Dollars (the 2 silver snowflakes and the 2 silver pine cones), 300 Dollars (the gold snowflake)

Finish: Proof with Swarovski Crystals on the reverse

Composition: 99.99% Silver (the 2 silver snowflakes and the 2 silver pine cones), 58.33% gold, 41.67% silver (the gold snowflake)

Size: 38 mm (the 2 silver snowflakes and the 2 silver pine cones), 50 mm (the gold snowflake)

Weight: 31.39 grams (the 2 silver snowflakes and the 2 silver pine cones), 60.5 grams (the gold snowflake)

Mintage: 7,500 each (the 2 silver snowflakes), 5,000 each (the 2 silver pine cones), 750 (the gold snowflake)