Fillmore Presidential One Dollar Coins Available February 18

On February 18, 2010, the United States Mint will release to the Federal Reserve Banks the first new Presidential $1 Coin of 2010, honoring former President Millard Fillmore. Beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) the same day, the agency also will accept orders for rolls of Millard Fillmore Presidential $1 Coins at its online catalog, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. Each roll, priced at $35.95, contains 25 circulating quality $1 coins from either the United States Mint at Philadelphia or Denver. The coins are wrapped in specially designed packaging that displays the mint of origin (P or D), the face value of the contents ($25) and the genuine United States Mint logo.
Millard Fillmore was born in a log cabin on January 7, 1800, in Locke (now Summerhill), New York. After studying with a county judge, he began to practice law in 1823. In 1828, Fillmore entered politics, serving as a New York state assemblyman and later in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he chaired the powerful Committee on Ways and Means. While comptroller of New York, he was elected to serve as President Zachary Taylor's vice president in 1848. Upon Taylor's death in July 1850, Fillmore became President. After two unsuccessful bids for election to the presidency in his own right, Fillmore retired to Buffalo, New York, where he died on March 8, 1874.
Both the obverse (heads side) and the reverse (tails side) of the Millard Fillmore Presidential $1 Coin were designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The obverse design features Fillmore's dramatic portrait and the inscriptions MILLARD FILLMORE, IN GOD WE TRUST, 13TH PRESIDENT and 1850-1853. The reverse design-common to all Presidential $1 Coins-features a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty, the coin's face value and the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The inscriptions 2010, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the mint of origin are incused on the coin's edge.
Customers may order the Millard Fillmore Presidential $1 Coins by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders. As an added convenience, customers may also sign up for the Presidential $1 Coin Two-Roll Set Subscription to receive future rolls of the coins as they are released.

United States Mint Launches Fifth Lincoln One-Cent Coin

United States Mint Director Ed Moy launched the 2010 Lincoln "Preservation of the Union" One-Cent Coin today during a special ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM). The coin's new reverse (tails side) design is emblematic of President Abraham Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single and united country, as required by Title III of Public Law 109-145 (the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005). Americans can expect to see the new coin in their change beginning this year.
"This one-cent coin honors the preservation of the union, which was Abraham Lincoln's ultimate achievement," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "Because of his presidency, despite bitter regional enmity and a horrific civil war, we remained the United States of America."
Guests at the event included Jan Grimes, ALPLM acting executive director, and Dr. James Cornelius, its curator. Elizabeth Wooley, WICS-TV News anchor, served as master of ceremonies. Following the ceremony, Director Moy and guests handed out new Lincoln cents to children 18 years and younger, while adults exchanged their currency for rolls of the new coin.
On the eve of the launch ceremony, Director Moy met with local coin enthusiasts at ALPLM, where he answered their questions and shared information about the United States Mint and its coin programs.
The reverse of the 2010 and beyond Lincoln cent was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Lyndall Bass and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. The design depicts a union shield with a scroll draped across and the inscription ONE CENT. The 13 vertical stripes of the shield represent the states joined in one compact union to support the federal government, represented by the horizontal bar above. The horizontal bar features the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM — "out of many, one" — while the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is depicted along the upper rim of the coin.
The obverse (heads) continues to bear Victor David Brenner's likeness of President Lincoln that has appeared on the coin since 1909.
A digital image of the 2010 Lincoln cent is available at: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo
The 2010 Lincoln cent has a metallic content of 2.5 percent copper, with the balance being zinc. The coin will be issued for circulation in quantities to meet the demands of commerce. Numismatic (proof and uncirculated) versions will be included in the United States Mint's annual product offerings. The coin will also be available for sale in two-roll sets this spring.
A satellite feed of B-roll of the new Lincoln cent being produced will be available at the following times:
Thursday, February 11, 2:30-3:00 pm, Eastern Time, Galaxy 28C, Tr. 15, DL 4000V
Friday, February 12, 2:00-2:15 pm, Eastern Time, AMC 3C, Tr. 3, DL3760H
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

prnewswire.com

Adamson Coin Launched on behalf of Sierra Leone

Virginia McKenna, actress and founder of the Born Free Foundation, visited the Pobjoy Mint Jan. 27 to officially launch a coin to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Austrian naturalist and author Joy Adamson, who is most renowned for her work with Elsa, the lioness she raised from cub to independent female.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Adamson's book, Born Free, which was made into a film of the same name. McKenna and Bill Travers, who played Joy and George Adamson in the film, established the Born Free Foundation in 1984 to help save animals in captivity.
The $10 proof sterling silver coin, produced on behalf of Sierra Leone, depicts lions on the outer ring. A yellow-colored crystal with the etched image of a lioness is set into the center. The obverse features Sierra Leone's coat of arms. It is 38.60 mm in diameter, weighs 23.45 grams and has an issue limit is 5,000. Pobjoy is donating £1 for every coin sold to Born Free's efforts in Africa.

Awoko.org

Khalifa Gold Coin to be Legal Tender?

DUBAI — There could hardly be a more enticing face value. Gold and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) keep everyone interested.
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has proposed to the UAE Central Bank a gold coin be introduced as legal tender. If approved, it will be the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Existing legal tender gold coins such as the Australian Nugget and the South African Krugerrand are popular as a vehicle to invest in pure gold.
The proposal says the coin will bear the cameo of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on one side and world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, on the other.
“We are confident that this design represents the face of modern UAE and its aspirations,” DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem said in a statement on Wednesday.
Commemorative gold coins are not new to the region, but this is the first time it has been proposed to make it a legal tender. In September 2007, DMCC launched the ‘Visions of Dubai’ series. The first edition carried the cameo of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on one side and the iconic Burj Al Arab on the other.
A second series of the ‘Visions of Dubai’ coin in 24 carat gold carries the image of Shaikh Mohammed’s image on one side and Palm Jumeirah, the world famous island development.

khaleejtimes.com

Boy Scouts commemorative coin to be minted this year

In celebration of 100 years of Boy Scouting, a new commemorative Boy Scout coin will be circulated beginning Feb. 8 through Jan. 11, 2011.
Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) introduced legislation to create a $1 silver coin to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
Under the legislation, the U.S. Mint will produce 350,000 commemorative coins in honor of the anniversary. A share of the proceeds from the sale of the coins will be donated to further scouting activities in underserved areas of the country.
“My times as a Boy Scout were some of my most memorable and important as a young man,” said Nelson. “This coin serves as a memorial and a promise to the millions of the scouts in America, both young and old, that the Boys Scouts of America has and will continue to positively shape the lives of young men for many years to come.”
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law: to help people at all times, to keep one’s self physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Since 1910, over 111 million youth have participated in scouting programs, making it the largest youth organization in the United States.
There are currently three million youth and one million adult leaders in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing programs across the country, accounting for more than 6.5 million hours of community service and 75,000 community improvement projects in the past four years alone.
Congress granted the Boy Scouts of America a federal charter in 1916. Two hundred and forty-eight members of the 110th Congress have participated in Boy Scouts of America as scouts or adult leaders.
Designs for the coins reflect the 100 years of the Boy Scouts of America. The design chosen for the obverse features a Boy Scout, Cub Scout, and female Venturer saluting. An inscription above reads, “Continuing the Journey” and the centennial dates “1910 2010” are on the left of the image.
The reverse design of the silver dollar features the universal emblem of the Boy Scouts of America. Inscriptions surrounding the logo include “United States of America,” “Boy Scouts of America,” “Be Prepared,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and “One Dollar.”

granttribune.com

Boy's cycling design chosen for Olympic 50p coin

A design by a West Yorkshire teenager has been chosen from more than 3,000 entries to become a new 50p coin inspired by the Olympic Games.
Theo Crutchley-Mack, 16, from Halifax, said it was "absolutely amazing" that his picture of a cyclist in a velodrome was chosen by the Royal Mint.
His design was also seen and approved by the Queen.
Up to three million of Theo's coins will be released into circulation later this year.
"Just the thought of my design going throughout England and millions of people seeing my design, that's just absolutely amazing, I can't think of much better than that," Theo said.
Dave Knight, head of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, explained the judges' choice.
"It's a very good design, irrespective of Theo's age, it is very good," he said.

"It is technically very proficient, and he has really captured the essence of speed and cycling in general," he said.
Theo was awarded with a special commemorative gold coin featuring his design.
The teenager, who is a keen cyclist himself, described how the picture had been lost under a pile of papers before his mother found it and encouraged him to send it in to the competition.
Theo's coin is the second in a series of 29 officially licensed commemorative Olympic 50p coins. The first was created by nine-year-old Florence Jackson and unveiled in October last year.
Each coin in the series depicts a different Olympic and Paralympic sport, with the remaining 27 coins to be announced later this year.

Latin American Independence coin series

Chief of Staff of the Central Bank of Paraguay, Luis Ortiz, at a press conference, announced yesterday that the Monitoring Committee of the series of commemorative coins, called "Encounter of Two Worlds", will have its regular meeting in Asuncion, from Tuesday. He explained that one of the objectives of the event is to commemorate the fifth centenary of the discovery of America. Fourteen countries launched in 1991 the number of coins called Encuentro de Dos Mundos (Two world meet).
Ortiz added that this series on the fifth centenary of the discovery of America was an initiative created to celebrate the diversity and fusion of cultures that has occurred since the discovery of our continent. He also noted that 19 years after that first experience, is now carried out the Eighth Series, which marks the bicentenary of Latin American independence.
He recalled that each year these coins have had a reason other than those set in consensus, this eighth installment will be the bicentennial coin, on account that most Latin American countries between 2009 and 2011 celebrated 200 years of emancipation. Paraguay participates in this series since the third meeting in 2001, and the Paraguayan currency, which this year was spent in traditional costumes and folk dances, took second place. In the series this year Paraguay participates with the issuance of currency 1 Guaraní, which emerged from a competition.
He said there is currently a Coordination and Monitoring Committee, meeting in Asunción between 16 and 17 February. Participate in the meeting were representatives of mint countries like Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Cuba as well as a representative for the non-mint, in this case Argentina. Paraguay, as host country, participate and vote. This committee meets at least once between presentations. He also noted that in this eighth series, plus the names, commemorative coins issued Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. This common coinage is a fact of first order, since it helps to synthesize the fusion of two very different cultures, the Iberian and the indigenous, which occurred for more than five centuries.

Norway: New special edition 10-krone coin

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ole Bull, a special edition circulation coin will be issued by Norges Bank today, 5 February 2010. The coin is the same size as the standard 10-krone coin and will be legal tender.
- The coin is being issued to pay tribute to Ole Bull as a world-famous violinist and composer, says Trond Eklund, director of Norges Bank’s Cashier’s Department. He also emphasises Ole Bull’s dedication to traditional Norwegian folk music and his prominent role in the development of a distinctively Norwegian culture after the dissolution of the union with Denmark in 1814.
The obverse of the coin features the portrait of H.M. King Harald V as displayed on other special edition circulation coins in recent years and was created by Ingrid Austlid Rise, designer at Det Norske Myntverket AS (Mint of Norway).
A competition was held for the design of the coin’s reverse. The winning design was created by the sculptor Wenche Gulbransen and features Ole Bull’s portrait fused with part of a sheet of the music of “Seterjentens søndag”, one of Bull’s most famous compositions.
The special edition coin is the same size as the standard 10-krone coin and will be legal tender.
The coin will be issued as part of the Ole Bull 2010 project established by the Art Museums of Bergen foundation. The anniversary celebrations will be officially launched at a gala performance at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen on 12 February. Ole Bull’s birthday will be celebrated at Festplassen in Bergen on February 5th.

From:www.norwaypost.n

Brazil renews banknotes against counterfeit

Brazil will begin this year to renew its currency, the real, launched in 1994 under a stabilization plan to make it tamper-proof and more durable, said on Wednesday the highest economic authorities.
Finance Minister Guido Mantega said the new notes incorporate the new technology adopted by the Mint to help you produce "the world's most modern banknotes.
The bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 rights have varied sizes so they can be differentiated visually impaired, although the design is almost identical to the bills currently in circulation. "We must prepare for the real start to circulate in the international market. Today is a limited tender, but is beginning to be a demand to be used outside the country and we need a modern paper currency and counterfeit-proof solid that can represent the country, "said Mantega. Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles, said that the real was introduced in 1994 quickly, and found that technological modernization is needed to strengthen the currency in the long run.
Before the real, Brazil had had seven currency exchanges, the last in August 1993 when he fell from the cruzeiro cruzeiro real to adjust the value of currency depreciation that had suffered.
Meirelles said that this year launched the 100 bills and 50 reals, which are most susceptible to counterfeiting, and next year will start to circulate 20 and 10 reais. In 2012 it launched the 5 and 2 reales.
According to Central Bank president, the new notes will circulate together with the force, which will be withdrawn gradually with aging. Mantega indicated that with the modernization of the Mint, Brazil is able to produce paper money with high technological conditions for other countries.