Japan Mint Issues Latest In "47 Prefectures" Silver Coin Series

The Japan Mint has issued the 4th in it's captivating and popular silver coin series dedicated to the 47 prefectures of Japan. This release, the first for 2009, honors the Nagano prefecture. As with previous silver proof coins in this series there is a standard issue coin as well as a "deluxe" version that includes a commemorative stamp set.


Japan 2009 1000¥ Nagano Silver Proof

Originally known as the province of Shinano, Nagano prefecture is best known internationally as being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is situated amongst the Japan Alps in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū, and is the 4th largest prefecture in Japan. It can also claim to being surrounded by more prefectures than any other in Japan, as well as being home to 9 out of the 12 highest mountain peaks in Japan. Within the mountainous highland of Nagano is Kamikochi, a small town that is popular point for tourists looking to visit the alps.

The reverse design of this latest prefecture coin features a beautifully designed full-colour depiction of the area near Kamikochi with the Japan Alps in the background. The scene is taken from early spring and as such the snow-capped mountains are visible together with the bright green foliage of the foothills. In the foreground, stretching from one side of the coin to the other is the Kappa-bashi bridge, which takes people across the Azusa-river. The bridge is a symbol of the Kamikochi region and a popular spot for viewing the landscape, and the name Kappa-bashi roughly translates to "Water Goblin Bridge". The obverse, common to all silver proof coins in this series, features traditional Japanese images such as cherry blossoms, snow flakes and a crescent moon, together with the nominal face value.

Japan 2009 1000¥ Nagano Silver Proof With Stamps

Each coin is struck from 31.10 grams (1 ounce) of 92.5% silver on a 40.00mm flan in glorious proof quality. There are two issues of this beautiful prefecture coin available. The standard issue features the coin encapsulated and housed in an official Japan Mint display case and information pack which doubles as the Certificate of Authenticity. The Deluxe edition has the coin housed in a special presentation coin pack together with a special commemorative set of 5 80 Yen stamps, each depicting an different area of Nagano prefecture, with the main stamp showing a replica of the coin design. A Certificate of Authenticity is also included with this edition.

Euro Collections International currently has stock available of both the Japan 2009 1000¥ Nagano Silver Proof and the Japan 2009 1000¥ Nagano Silver Proof With Stamps. Previous issues in this highly popular series have sold out at speed so we recommend an early order to avoid disappointment.

Japan 2009 1000¥ Nagano Silver Proof

Special "Masterpieces of Art" Silver Coin Issued To Honor Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa

As part of the spectacular "Masterpieces of Art" silver coin series - which sees beautifully detailed designs struck against state-of-the-art colour pad printing techniques and embedded crystals - a special release has been issued in 2009 to celebrate what is arguable the most famous painting on Earth, The Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci.


Cook Islands 2009 $20 Da Vinci Mona Lisa 3oz Coloured Silver Proof

The Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda), is an oil painting created by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance period of the 16th century. da Vinci started the painting in 1503 and finally completed it shortly before he died in 1519. The portrait painting is of Lisa Gherardini (Lisa del Giocondo), the wife of wealthy Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo. The painting had been a commissioned work to put in the del Giocondo's new home to celebrate the birth of their second son, Andrea.

The identity of the subject was not discovered until 2005, over 500 years after the painting was started, when a library expert at the University of Heidelberg found a margin note by Agostino Vespucci in a book housed there. Agostino Vespucci was the secretary to Niccolo Machiavelli, the author of the classic political treatise “The Prince” who befriended da Vinci in 1502 while both da Vinci and Machiavelli spent several months at the home of Cesare Borgia.

The painting is owned by the France Government and is housed in the Louvre gallery in Paris.

The Mona Lisa silver coin has been issued as a special release, although still part of the "Masterpieces of Art" series. The series has so far seen coins dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and Rembrandt's "Night Watch". Each of the "Masterpieces of Art" series of silver coins contains a stunning reproduction of a famous work of art pad printed on the coin in glorious full-colour. The coin then has a number of genuine Swarovski crystals embedded into the coin itself.

Although technically the fourth in the series, the Mona Lisa coin is regarded as a special edition independent to the general releases of the series. The reason it has been released as a special edition issue is due to it's famous subject matter as well as the enhancements it has over other coins in the series. Unlike previous coins in the series the Mona Lisa edition has a special 1/4 ounce insert of 99.9% pure gold, which has the famous painting printed onto it. Around where the insert is housed on the coin is an elegant frame of 26 Swarovski crystals. Struck into the coin itself is an intricately detailed imagining of Renaissance architecture, such as what was in place at the time the Mona Lisa painting was created. On the obverse of the coin is the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, together with the 20 Dollar face value and issuing country, Cook Islands.

The coin is struck from 93.30 grams (3 ounces) of 99.9% silver on an impressive 55.00mm flan, which perfectly accommodates this stunning imagery. The coin is encapsulated and presented in an stylish, official presentation case with Certificate of Authenticity which confirms the extremely small mintage of just 999 coins issued worldwide. Located on the back of the pure gold insert, as well as on the coin where the insert is laid, is the individual numbering, unique for each coin issued.

Euro Collections International currently has stocks of this superb collectors item commemorative to the world's most famous work of art. To see more images of the coin and to place an order you can visit the Cook Islands 2009 $20 Da Vinci Mona Lisa 3oz Coloured Silver Proof page, where stocks are available to ship now, with no delays.

Germany Issues 10 Euro Silver Coin To Commemorate 600th Anniversary of Leipzig University

July 9, 2009: Issued from the Berlin Mint and therefore branded with the 'A' mintmark, comes the latest in the series of 10 euro German silver coins for 2009. The coin is the 4th in the 10 euro commemorative series from Germany, after the Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung anniversary, Kepler's Law and special edition IAAF World Championship coins and marks the 600th anniversary of the Leipzig University in Saxony.


Germany 2009 10€ Leipzig University Silver Coin

The University of Leipzig is regarded as one of the oldest universities in Europe and is the second oldest in Germany. Located in Saxony in Eastern Germany, Leipzig was founded in December 1409 by Frederick I and his brother William II, and was officially endorsed by Pope Alexander V. The internationally recognised University library was established in 1543 and services the University as well as the general public with extensive historical collections.

Since it's establishment, the university has enjoyed almost 600 years of uninterrupted teaching and learning.

Between 1953 and 1991 the university was known as the Karl Marx University and in it's time the university has produced several notable individuals, including Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche and Richard Wagner.

Featured on the reverse of this issue is the Grand Seal of the Universität Leipzig to the left, showing the Holy Laurentius, protector of its students, and John the Baptist. To the right is an image of one of Leipzig's most famous students, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, surrounded by the University's academic motto “Theoria cum praxi”, which he coined. At the top is the anniversary commemoration and the year of foundation. At the bottom is an image of the University's new building, which is intended to remind people of the St. Pauli Church that was destroyed in 1968. Despite surviving the bombings of World War II the church was destroyed by the East German dictatorship as an attempt to separate the university from it's past. Also in the lower portion of the coin is the anniversary year, 2009.

The obverse features the Eagle motif, State Emblem for the Federal Republic of Germany. Tp either side are 6 stars, making up the 12 stars of the European Union. At the top is the year of issue, 2009, while below the Eagle design is the inscription "Federal Republic Germany" and the nominal face value of "10 Euro". The 'A' mintmark representing the Berlin Mint, is found to the right of the Eagle's right claw.

Each coin is struck from 18 grams of 92.5% silver on a 32.50mm flan in either Brilliant Uncirculated or high Proof quality. The Proof quality coin is housed in a capsule while the BU version is supplied in a protective plastic flip.

Both versions of this coin will be available on Euro Collections International website in the near future. To be notified of the arrival of this coin you can follow ECI on Twitter, or visit our What's New page where the latest arrivals are uploaded daily.

Perth Mint Issues Official Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Silver Coins

July 14, 2009: Captivating millions of toy and comic book collectors since the 1980's the Transformers have now set their sights on the coin collecting market with the release of a pair of memorabilia silver coins issued by the Perth Mint. Issued to coincide with the release of the second blockbuster movie in the Transformers franchise, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the pair of coins are dedicated to the hero and villain of the show, Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively.

Tuvalu 2009 $1 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Optimus Prime Silver Proof

Tuvalu 2009 $1 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Megatron Silver Proof

The Transformers as we known them started out as a series of toys made by Hasbro in the United States, after they bought the rights to a transforming robot from Japan. The toys were an instant hit and this led to a comic book series which also proved successful. TV followed on with the Transformer animated cartoon show, which also spawned a full-length animated movie. There had long been talk of making the Transformers live-action movie, but for years the technology available just wasn't good enough to deal with the extraordinary complexity of turning a humanoid robot figure into a car, truck or aeroplane.

Even though Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) had been around since the early 80's, much like the Transformers, it wasn't until movies like The Abyss (1989) and Terminator 2 (1991) that people really began to see the potential of this revolutionary form of special effects. Still, it would be another 16 years before the first Transformers live-action film finally made it to the silver screen. To make it happen it took the legendary film maker Steven Spielberg and blockbuster film director Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor, The Rock, Armageddon) to pool their expert talents alongside the amazing effects of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), whose effects have been seen in such films as the Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter franchises.

Of the Transformers, it is the respective leaders, Optimus Prime and Megatron, who are the most recognisable. Optimus Prime is the leader of the heroic Autobots, while Megatron heads up the evil Decepticon gang. The two groups are in constant battle. The Transformers legend is that on their home planet of Cybertron, the Autobots and Decepticons have battled for many years over control of their planet, and they have now brought their fight to Earth. Optimus Prime transforms into a semi-trailer truck cab, while Megatron transforms into a military jet fighter.

This pair of silver coins have been issued due to the resounding success of the first Transformers film and the expected success of its sequel. The second film was released across the world between June 16 and 24, 2009 and proved to be an even bigger event than the first film, taking over $60 million dollars in the US box office on it's first day of screening. Transformers fans, like those of Star Wars, Star Trek, etc, not only love watching the shows/movies, they also love collecting the memorabilia - and it was with this in mind that the first ever Transformers coins were struck! For the Transformers fan who has (or wants) everything, there has rarely been a more original piece of memorabilia than the official legal tender coin.

The coins respectively feature images of Optimus Prime and Megatron taken from the Transformers live action movie. Adding a greater depth to each character is the expert use of colour to enhance the characters against the silver struck surroundings. The official Transformers title is struck to the side of each character, while the respective logos of the Autobots and Decepticons appear below. The 'P' for Perth Mint mintmark is at the top of each coin. The obverse features the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the inscription for the country and year of issue, and face value denomination, are placed around the lower rim.

Each coin is struck in stunning proof quality from 31.1 grams (1 ounce) of 99.9% fine silver on a 40mm flan which is the perfect coin size for showing these imposing Cybertrons in classic detail. The coins are presented in one-of-a-kind official packaging which replicates the type of packaging the Transformers toys are supplied in. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity which confirms the extremely limited mintage of just 5000 of each coin type released worldwide!

The coins have an official release date of July 14, 2009, but as official distributor to the Perth Mint, Euro Collections International is able to offer these coins for pre-release right now! Orders for the Tuvalu 2009 $1 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Optimus Prime Silver Proof and the Tuvalu 2009 $1 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Megatron Silver Proof can be placed right now, and will be filled on a first-ordered-first-supplied basis shortly after the release date (the coins are released from the mint on July 14 but it will take a few days for them to then arrive at out warehouse). Due to the current worldwide demand for all things Transformers, as well as the tiny mintage of these coins, a limit of 3 coins of each per household has been set. Don't miss your chance to own a truly unique piece of Transformer memorabilia!

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Australia's First Flight Centenary Commemorated With Silver Coin

July 1, 2009: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first controlled flight in Australian skies, and to honour the man responsible for this historic feat of aeronautical engineering, George Augustus Taylor, the Perth Mint have struck a new collector silver coin sure to be of keen interest to collectors around the globe.


Tuvalu 2009 $1 First Australian Flight Centenary 1oz Silver Proof

Some background information about this important moment in history taken from Downies advertising material:

For a nation built on the pioneering spirit, Australia’s rich, extraordinary history in the field of aviation should come as no surprise.

The intrepid balloonists of the 19th century; the highly influential work of Lawrence Hargrave, known as the ‘Father of Australian Aviation’; the first powered flight in Australia by master escapologist Harry Houdini in 1910; the strong tradition of aircraft development from WWI on; the legendary ‘long distance flights’ of those such as Charles Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm and Bert Hinkler; Australia’s first astronaut, Philip K. Chapman…Australia has long been at the forefront of humanity’s efforts to take to the skies. Whilst his name may not be quite as well known as those of his fellow pioneers, George Augustine Taylor played a key role in the development of Australian aviation.

A quiet, determined man, Taylor was a passionate proponent of Australian aviation at the turn of the 20th century. The power behind the Aerial League of Australia, Taylor was inspired by the revolutionary work of the aforementioned Lawrence Hargrave in the late 19th century. Taylor had assisted Hargrave with some of his later experiments, and the glider Taylor designed, built and then piloted at Narrabeen in December 1909 was influenced substantially by Hargrave’s famous box kites. Successfully employing Hargrave’s theories, Taylor made history in December 1909, by taking to the air above Narrabeen beach in his box kite wing construction – the fi rst ever controlled flight in a ‘heavier-than-air’ craft in Australia. Piloted by Taylor and his colleagues, Charles Schultz and Edward Hallstrom, the glider flew 29 times over the course of the day – including a flight each by Taylor’s wife Florence and Schultz’s wife Emma. Another in the series of ‘firsts’ connected with this landmark event, Florence Taylor’s brief flight saw her become the first woman to fly in Australia.

Building the first aeroplane factory in Australia, creating the first organisation devoted to Australian aviation (the Aerial League of Australia) – and launching the first Australian aeronautical lawsuit! – Taylor was a true Aussie pioneer. Exactly one hundred years after his greatest triumph, over the sandhills of Narrabeen, we salute ‘the first man in Australian skies’.

On the reverse is a portrait of George Taylor, with the sandhills of Narrabeen in the background. Soaring over the hills is George on the box kite-styled glider, with the inscription "Heavier Than Air" above that. At the top is the anniversary inscription and years "First Australian Flight - 1909-2009". The obverse carries an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the country and year of issue, together with the face value, inscribed around the bottom rim.

Issued under the authority of Tuvalu, this eye-catching tribute to Australian ingenuity and triumph is struck from 1 ounce (31.10 grams) of 99.9% fine silver on an impressive 40mm flan. Each coin is encapsulated and presented in official packaging including an elegant plush jewel case and full-colour outer box. Accompanying each coin is a numbered Certificate of Authenticity confirming the exclusive mintage of just 5000 silver coins produced worldwide.

Given the exclusive nature of this coin and the worldwide demand for coins with an aviation theme a sell-out is assured. Be one of the lucky few to own this stunning commemorative by visiting our Tuvalu 2009 $1 First Australian Flight Centenary 1oz Silver Proof page at Euro Collections International.

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Germany Issues Silver Coin To Commemorate 100th Anniversary of International Aerospace Exhibition

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first German International Aerospace Exhibition, held in Frankfurt am Maim in 1909. The exhibition, known in Germany as Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung (ILA) is a bi-annual event nopw held on the southern section of the Berlin-Schönefeld Airport. the IAE is counted as one of the largest and most important of the aerospace exhibitions held over the world.


Germany 2009 10€ 100th Anniv International Aerospace Exhibition Silver BU

As the IAE was first held 100 years ago it has claim to also being the oldest aviation show in the world. Not only that, but the first show was also the inspiration of various flying clubs to combine and form the German Pilots' Association in April 1910, followed soon after by the Association of German Aircraft Makers. This established a close connection between the IAE and the future Federal Association of the Aerospace Industry (BDLI), an organisation that still exists today. The first IAE lasted no less than 100 days and was kicked off by a stunning display of dozens of hot air balloons ascending to the heavens.



It's no wonder then that the Munich Mint has produced such a stunning commemorative silver issue to go along with such a prestigious and important event. Featured on the reverse is a beautifully detailed composition linked together by an image of a modern commercial passenger airplane coming in to land on a runway. On either side of the plane are sections dedicated to historic modes of aviations, from hot air balloons and gliders, to helicopters, jet aircraft and even the international space station. Around the rim of the coin is the inscription for the anniversary reading "100 Years International Aerospace Exhibition". The obverse contains the familiar elements of German 10 euro commemorative silver coins, that of the Eagle motif, symbolic of the State Emblem of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Eagle design is different for each commemorative issue, and is styled to compliment the reverse designs. Above the eagle are the 12 stars signifying the European Union. Below is the nominal face value of 10 euros, with the "D" mintmark of the Munich Mint below that. At the very bottom is the inscription "Federal Republic of Germany 2009".

Each coin is struck from 18 grams of 92.5% sterling silver on a 32.50mm flan. The coin is available in both brilliant uncirculated and proof quality, with the same design featured on both coins. The brilliant uncirculated issue is supplied in a protective plastic flip, while the proof coin is encapsulated in hard plastic.

Euro Collection International currently has stock of the Germany 2009 10€ 100th Anniversary International Aerospace Exhibition Silver coin in brilliant uncirculated condition available to order through the website. Stock of the proof quality coin are on their way and due in soon. You can follow us on Twitter or sign up to the ECI weekly newsletter to get notification of when the proof coin becomes available.

Austrian Mint To Issue Electric Railways Silver Coin

June 17, 2009: The Austrian Mint has issued the fifth coin in their successful 20 euro silver proof series dedicated to The Austrian Railways. This latest release pays tribute to the Electric Railway and is the second to last coin in the series, with the final coin due out in September.


Austria 2009 20€ Electric Railway Silver Proof

The first Austrian electric train was used as a fairground attraction for the 50th birthday celebrations of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1880. Two years later Emperor Joseph authorised the construction of the first public electric railway - carrying passengers on a 5 kilometre day trip from the country town of Mödling into the popular Brühl valley, just outside of Vienna. Originally operating on direct current, it wasn't long before longer railways lines and branches prompted the change to alternating current. In 1911 the electric trains using alternating current were put to use on a 90 kilometre stretch of line to the pilgrimage centre of Mariazell. In 1913 an agreement was made between Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden for the purposes of unifying an electric railway system, that an alternating current of 15,000 volts be used throughout. Unfortunately, no such agreement was accepted by rail authorities in other countries and as such Europe does not have a unified electric rail transport system.

From the Austrian Mint website:

The First World War interrupted further progress. The new Austrian Republic found the problem of coal supplies for steam engines almost insurmountable and turned to an old imperial study on electrification of the railways. In the 1920’s the alpine lines of the Arlberg railway and the Salzkammergut railway were converted. Electric power improved not only the performance on steep inclines but also freed staff and passengers from unpleasant smoke concentrations, as well as acid rain in tunnels.

New engines were developed. One such was the model 1100 which, because the engine was articulated at both ends with a high cab in the middle and green in colour, was dubbed the “Crocodile”. The articulation allowed this engine type to negotiate tight mountain curves better. The cab in the middle was were the crew and transformer were located.

Electrification went on until 1940 when the Second World War again brought it to a standstill. The conversion of the major lines was completed in the 1950’s. By 1988 only 54% of Austrian lines were electric, but those lines carried 92% of the passenger and freight transport. The era of steam-driven locomotives was at an end.

Featured on the obverse is a detailed depiction of an electric engine known as model 1189 (Nicknamed the "Crocodile"). It is shown coming out from the western exit of the Arlberg tunnel, in the western area of the Austrian Alps. In the upper right is the nominal face value of 20 euros, as well as the country of issue "Republik Oesterreich". At the bottom is the name and nickname of the engine. The reverse design shows engine model 1100 traversing the spectacular Trisanna Bridge on the Arlberg line. In the background can be seen the Wiesburg Castle and mountains. At the bottom is the name of the 231 metre bridge, known at it's time of construction in 1884 as the longest arched steel railway bridge in the world.

Each silver coin is struck from 18 grams of 90% fine silver on a 34mm flan to the highest proof standards of the Austrian Mint. The coin is encapsulated and presented in it's own, official Austrian Mint jewel case, along with a certificate of authenticity confirming the mintage of 50,000 silver coins released worldwide.

Euro Collections International has the Austria 2009 20€ Electric Railway Silver Proof available to order now from the website.