Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i World Coin News

ON. FEB. 3, The South African Mint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced the launch of the third coin in the Big 5 series featuring the indomitable rhino. The “Big Five” term originated when big game hunters visited the shores of Africa to shoot for trophies, and locals warned them about the five most dangerous animals in Africa: the elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. In 2019, the South African Mint introduced the Big 5 coin series which is a multi-year coin program of coins that feature the likeness of these majestic creatures. Issued biannually, the coin range consists of a Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) quality coin struck from 999.9 fine silver and a proof quality version of the same, the latter only available in a…

A GOLD BONANZA was offered at the Grand Hyatt New York as Heritage Auctions wrapped up a classic World Coin Signature sale on Jan. 12-13, 2020. From 2,337 lots the total prices realized topped $13 million. Almost every vein of collecting enthusiasm had fantastic coins represented. It really was one of the most select groups I have ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Many lots presented a coin among the top of known grades for the type and a handsome percentage was popular rarities as well. Many of the top ancient coins offered were from a private Japanese collection, which must have been put together carefully with grade rarity in mind. One of the standout pieces, a silver decadrachm struck in Syracuse, Sicily, revels in beauty, strike and preservation. To…

THE 15TH ANNUAL Künker Berlin Auction sale held in conjunction with the World Money Fair on Feb. 1 presented a dazzling array of gold coinage and classic Thalers. Estimated at 7.2 million euros (almost 7.9 million USD) for its 1,077 lots, the sale realized an impressive total hammer price of 10 million euros (10,943,300 USD.) Ulrich Künker, a partner and General Manager of the firm, shared his time and knowledge to discuss some of the stunning highlights from this sale. The highest individual result of the auction was achieved by a 1620 10 ducat of Bohemia struck for King Friedrich of the Palatinate, known as the “Winter King.” The estimate for this extremely rare gold coin minted in Prague during the Thirty Years’ War was 25,000 euros [27,358 USD], but…

What is the earliest coin with a numerical date on it? 1500s or 1400s? The earliest coin on which a Christian date is expressed using Roman numerals is the MCCXXXIIII (1234) Danish coin issued by the bishop of Roskilde. Wurttemburg issued a coin dated 1494 using Arabic dating. The numeral “4,” which appears twice on this coin, is expressed as a half “8.” At that time a four was drawn as an eight, but with an incomplete lower circle. Can you tell me where the mintmark is located on Straits Settlements dollar coin of 1903 and 1904, cataloged as KM-25? The B Bombay mint mark appears in the cross on the crown on the obverse of the 1903 and 1904 Straits Settlement dollar coins. The H Heaton mint mark appears…

THE DAY WAS sweet as honey for the Bank of Latvia when its 5-euro Honey Coin was given top honors as 2020 Coin of the Year during an awards ceremony held Feb. 1 in conjunction with the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany. The Coin of the Year awards program, now in its 37th year, is an internationally conducted competition presented by World Coin News to recognize outstanding coin design and innovation worldwide. The 2020 program, sponsored by The Journal of East Asian Numismatics and the World Money Fair, honored coins dated 2018 in 10 categories of competition as decided by an international panel of judges. The Honey Coin is styled as a honeycomb in gold-plated silver by artist Arturs Analts. The Bank of Latvia calls it “a symbol of…

ALTHOUGH LITTLE REMEMBERED today, except by historians and numismatists, Empress Elizabeth of Russia in her time was a force to be reckoned with in European politics. Not only did she keep Russia itself under tight control, but her armies were involved in foreign wars on more than one occasion. Born in December 1709, Elizabeth was the daughter of Peter I (the great) and his consort Catherine. At the age of 16 in 1726, there had been a planned betrothal to King Louis XV of France but this was abruptly cancelled by the French government in favor of a Polish princess. Peter I died in January 1725 and was succeeded by his widow, the Empress Catherine I, who survived only a little over two years; the next ruler was Peter II,…

The World Coin News club show and commercial events calendar is a guide to events with a focus for world-coin collectors. Abbreviations used: “A” – Admission charge; “T” – number of tables; “F” – Table fee; “N/A” – not available. Other data required for submitting a listing: name and address of show site, and name and address of bourse chairman or other contact person. MARCH Mar 1 CA, Livermore. Livermore Valley Coin Club 57th Annual Show. Elks Lodge, 940 Larkspur Drive. SH: 10am - 4pm. SP: Livermore Valley Coin Club. A: Free. T: 35. F: $150. Jonathan Mitchell, PO Box 610, Livermore, CA, 94550. PH: 925- 954-5221 or jmitchell@neighborhoodam.com. Mar 1 MN, Saint Cloud. Mid-Minnesota Coin Expo. Kelly Inn - Grand Ball Room, 100 4th Ave. S.. SH: 9am -…