Welcome back to Coin Update!
Here comes another round up of coin collecting news and articles from around the web. As mentioned, I am currently on vacation, but will continue to make periodic updates whenever possible. First, the Royal Canadian Mint is taking some heat on the missing gold after the results of an external audit. [...]
July 1, 2009: Missing RCM Gold External Audit, Undated 20 Pence Coins, Coin Pricing
2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin
The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin is a recreation of what many have called the most beautiful gold coin in history. Augustus Saint Gauden's classic design was digitally reproduced from original plasters, with a few updates. The highly anticipated 24 karat one ounce gold coin was released by the US Mint on January 22, 2009.
Washington DC & US Territories Quarters
A short new series of quarters will be released in 2009 under the District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarter Program. New circulating commemorative quarters will be issued to honor Washington DC and the five US Territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
2009 Lincoln Cents
Next year will mark the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Cent. Four different reverse designs will be released throughout the year, each design representing a different stage of Lincoln's life.The first design will be released on February 12, 2009.
2009 First Spouse Gold Coins
The First Spouse Gold Coin series will continue in 2009 with the release of an additional five coins. This year's releases will honor Anna Harrison, Letitia Tyler, Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk, and Margaret Taylor with one-half ounce, 24 karat gold coins.
More 2009 Coins »
2008 State Quarters
The popular 50 State Quarters Program reached its tenth and final year in 2008. Coins were issued to honor the final five state to join the union: Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii. This brought an end to what the US Mint has called the most successful coin initiative in history.
2008 Gold Buffalo
The collectible offerings for the American Gold Buffalo were expanded for 2008. The new coins included fractional weight versions of the coin with either both proof or uncirculated finishes. Prior to the end of the year the expanded offerings were discontinued making these coins unique to the series.
2008 Platinum Eagles
The 2008 Platinum Eagle coins experienced a turbulent year of sales amidst high volatility in the price of platinum. The coins finished the year with some very low mintages and represent the final year for fractional collectible platinum coins.
Bald Eagle Commemorative
The Bald Eagle Commemorative Program was created to honor the recovery of the Bald Eagle species, the anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, and the Bald Eagle's importance as the national symbol of the United States. Coins issued included different designs in gold, silver, and copper nickel clad.
More 2008 Coins »
American Gold Eagle
The American Gold Eagle was the first gold bullion coin issued by the United States. The coins features the obverse design of Augustus Saint Guadens' gold double eagle. Coins have been issued from 1986 to present in bullion and proof versions. Collectible uncirculated versions have been issued from 2006 to present.
Gold Krugerrand
The South African Gold Krugerrand was the first gold coin issued with a value linked to the price of gold. Coins were minted with exactly one ounce of gold content which made them a popular method for investing in physical gold bullion. The Krugerrand was first offered in 1967.
Gold Panda
The Chinese Gold Panda has become a popular world gold bullion coin. First introduced in 1982, the coins feature the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on the obverse and different images of Pandas on the reverse. The coins feature a different reverse image each year providing collectors and investors with some interesting variety.
Gold Maple Leaf
The Gold Maple Leaf was first issued by Canada in 1979 as one of the earlier world gold bullion coins. It has sometimes been touted as the world's purest gold bullion coin, with some special issues minted with a purity of .99999 gold. The Gold Maple Leaf also features an expanded range of fractional size coins.
More Gold Coins »
American Silver Eagle
The American Silver Eagle was the first silver bullion coin issued by the United States. The coins feature the obverse design of Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Coins have been issued from 1986 to present in bullion and proof versions. Collectible uncirculated versions have been issued from 2006 to present.
Silver Maple Leaf
The Silver Maple Leaf is a silver bullion coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. The coins have been produced from 1988 to present and contain one ounce of .9999 pure silver. The reverse of each coin prominently features the Maple Leaf, from which the coin takes its name.
Silver Panda
The Chinese Silver Panda has proven to be a popular world silver bullion coin. The coins are typically sold at higher premiums that other silver bullion, but the coins are struck with a high quality proof like finish and feature a different reverse design each year. The silver coins are also offered in a range of different sizes.
Silver Koala
Another interesting series of silver bullion coins is the Silver Koala. These coins are produced by the Perth Mint of Australia. The coins were first released in 2007 following the Austrailian Silver Kookaburra coins. The Koala's feature a different reverse depiction of the Koala each year with a unique shimmer background finish.
More Silver Coins »
American Platinum Eagle
The American Platinum Eagle was the first and only platinum bullion coin of the United States. Bullion and proof coins have been issued from 1997 to present. Collectible uncirculated versions with a "W" mintmark were issued from 2006 to 2008. The collectible versions of the coins have featured unique reverse designs for each year.
10th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Set
In late 2007, the United States Mint released a special set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Platinum Eagle coin. The set contained two one-half ounce American Platinum Eagles, one with a proof finish and one with a special reverse proof finish.
