News in Brief

RCM Unveils New Circulating Coin Effigy

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has unveiled and struck the first Canadian coin bearing the effigy of HM King Charles III, with the $1 circulation coin becoming the first to display the portrait of a new monarch in 70 years. The unveiling and striking took place on the King’s birthday, 14th November.

RCM President Marie Lemay and artist Steven Rosati at the effigy unveiling.

The effigy has been designed by artist Steven Rosati, who was chosen from ‘a strong field of finalists’ following the Mint’s invitation for experienced coin designers and Mint engravers to submit their concept of a ‘made-in-Canada’ portrait of the country’s new monarch.

RCM plans to begin circulating a small volume of coins in all circulating denominations by the end of next month, through public coin exchanges and by meeting new market demand through the national coin management system. The new obverse effigy will also be added to bullion and numismatics coins in December.

Celebrating 75 Years Sustainably

The Royal Mint (TRM) has struck a special silver proof commemorative coin made from silver recovered from medical and industrial X-ray film to commemorate King Charles III’s 75th birthday.

To further mark the occasion, TRM is looking for 75 people turning 75 years old this year, to give them one of the commemorative £5 coins. Those celebrating their 75th birthday this year have been invited to submit their name and contact details via the Mint’s website, with winners drawn at random.

‘Due to His Majesty’s advocacy for sustainability throughout his life, it felt fitting for the first official UK coin, produced from X-ray silver, to be His Majesty King Charles III’s 75th birthday coin. This marks a new chapter in The Royal Mint’s coin making history, as it continues to develop beautifully crafted pieces while increasingly supporting a precious metals circular economy’, said the Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin, Rebecca Morgan.

New UK Coins Enter Circulation

TRM has confirmed that the new UK coins have now entered circulation, beginning with the 50p coin. The new coins feature updated designs around the themes of conservation and the natural world (see CMN October), with the 50p depicting the Atlantic salmon – a priority conservation species.

These first definitive King Charles III coins have entered circulation through banks and Post Office branches, with the remaining denominations expected to follow in due course.

Bulgaria’s Euro Coin Designs Approved

The Coordination Council, set up to coordinate Bulgaria’s preparation for Eurozone membership, has adopted the proposed coin designs approved by the Bulgarian National Bank earlier this year. The new coins will feature the same images as those present on the existing stotinka and lev coins, to ensure continuity and facilitate recognition of the new currency.

The Madara Rider medieval rock relief carving presently features on the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinka coins, St John of Rila on the 1 lev, and Paisius of Hilendar on the 2 lev – as they will on the corresponding euro coins.

On the national side, the word ‘Bulgaria’ will be written in Cyrillic, as will the word euro (for the 1 and 2 euro coins) and stotinka for the euro cent coins. As with all other eurozone coins, the common sides will feature the map images designed by Luc Luycx.

Now that the designs have been approved by the Coordination Council, they will be presented to the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the member states of the eurozone for final agreement.

Bulgaria’s entry to the eurozone has been delayed, with adoption of the single currency now likely to occur in January 2025. A memorandum of understanding signed last year does, however, enable the country to begin preparatory tasks for coin production, including the minting of a nominal amount of test coins to check quality and ensure certification from the Bulgarian Mint.

Actual production of the circulating coins is dependent upon the decision of the Council of the European Union on Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro.

New UK-Japan Precious Metals Trade Relationship

TRM has announced a new partnership with precious metal product distributor Nihon Material Co as an official partner and distributor of its bullion products in Japan.

The company, which is accredited by both LBMA and LPPM, has officially brought ‘The Britannia’ – the Mint’s flagship bullion coin – to market in the country. Considered to be one of the world’s most visually secure bullion coins, the 2024 Britannia range is expected to be popular with investors and collectors in Japan.

Four gold bullion coins are available, in 1oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz and 1/10 oz issues. A 1oz silver coin, sold as a set of 10 pieces, has also been made available to purchase from Nihon Material Co. All versions of the Britannia coin feature the official effigy of King Charles III on its obverse.

The Mint has said that Environmental Social Governance is a priority area for the organisations, with both parties committed to continuously reviewing how they can grow the partnership, including carbon footprint reduction goals.

US Mint Holds Special Striking Ceremony

Following the unveiling of the designs for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Program earlier this year (see CMN July), the US Mint has held a special striking event at the Philadelphia Mint. The 2024 proof silver $1 coin, which forms part of the programme, was ceremonially struck at the event hosted by US Mint Director Ventris Gibson.

$1 Silver Coin. Source: United States Mint.

All three of the coins – the $5 gold, $1 silver, and $1/2 clad coins – will be made available to purchase in early 2024, with surcharges applied to the price. Set at $35 for the $5 gold coin, $10 for the silver dollar, and $5 for the clad half dollar, the additional income will be directed towards supporting the missions of two relevant institutions, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc.

https://catalog.usmint.gov/harriet-tubman-commemorative-coin