Coming Soon! New Silver Coin In Perth Mint "Bush Babies" Series

August 3, 2010: The Perth Mint will be issuing the latest in their already hugely popular "Bush Babies" series next Tuesday! This is only the second issue to be released in the 5-coin silver series but already a stampede of demand is brewing!



The first coin, dedicated to the Joey (Baby Kangaroo) sold out at record speed, with collectors all over the world agreeing that the adorable, well-defined imagery on the reverse, enhanced with vibrant colour using the Perth Mint's expert minting techniques, was a winner!

With the 50c Bush Babies Sugar Glider Silver Proof sure to follow this amazingly successful suit, we are looking forward to presenting this coin to collectors from August 3rd - Next Tuesday! (Australian Time).

To be notified the very minute this coin is released, thereby ensuring you don't miss out, follow our up-to-the-minute product release announcements on Facebook or Twitter

Austrian Mint Issue Glossglockner High Alpine Road 5 Euro Silver Commemorative!

June 16, 2010: The Austrian Mint continues it's high standard series of distinctive commemorative 5 euro coinage with the release of the Grossglockner-High Alpine Road Brilliant Uncirculated Silver anniversary issue.


Austria 2010 5€ 75th Anniversary Grossglockner-Alpine Road Silver BU

The Grossglockner High Alpine road was constructed between 1930 and 1935 as a way of crossing from the province of Salzburg to Carinthia in the south by motorcar, bus, motorbike or even bicycle. Originally thought of as a pipe dream, the road was built over a period of 26 months, with 870,000 cubic meters of earth and rock being moved, 115,750 cubic meters of retaining wall constructed and 67 bridges erected. A total of 3,200 men laboured with the simple tools of the day, completing it all in record time. The road itself was and still remains an engineering marvel, rising to a height of 7,770 feet. It is 30 miles long, has 36 hairpin turns and many more curves, and has 2 tunnels.

On the reverse of the coin is an image of 2 switch-back curves winding up the Grossglockner pass. The car on the left is an Audi Roadster from 1935 while the second car; on the right going up the road is a modern convertible car. The two cars represent the 75 years of motoring on this mountain pass. The roadbed also reflects this span of time as the Mint’s Chief Engraver, Thomas Pesendorfer, chose to include some of the original cobblestones as well as reflect the modern paved sections on this side of the coin. Along the outer edge of the road is a wall made of thousands of bricks and topped with a guardrail. Soaring above the car is an eagle gliding on the updrafts. In the top right quadrant are the words "Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse" or Grossglockner High Alpine Road, as well as the dates 1935-2010.

The obverse of the distinctive nine-sided coin is the standard 5 euro design, with the denomination encircled by the shields of the nine federal provinces of Austria. In the center is the face value of 5 euros. Mint engraver Helmut Andexlinger designed the reverse. Each 5 euro coin is struck from 8 grams of 80% fine silver on a 28.50mm flan in brilliant uncirculated quality. The coin is presented in an official vacuum-sealed informative (English and German) coin pack.

Introducing The World's First Cannabis Commemorative Coin!

Issued with the authority of the Republic of Benin, the first release in the "Famous Plants and Herbs of the World" series of silver-plated commemorative coins is dedicated to Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Marijuana.


Benin 2010 100 Francs Cannabis Sativa Coloured Silver-Plated Proof

Already creating quite a "buzz" across the internet amongst collectors and non-collectors alike, the Cannabis Sativa silver-plated coin is the world's first coin honouring this controversial herb. Cannabis Sativa belongs to the Cannabaceae family of flowering plants, which contains around 170 species grouped in nine to fifteen genera. Of those there are three well-known genera; the aforementioned Cannabis (hemp), Humulus (hops) and Celtis (hackberries).

Cannabis is considered a herb and can be cultivated as hemp, having a wide variety of uses such as paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food, fuel and clothing. Along with these practical applications Cannabis is also cultivated as a recreational or medicinal drug, of which the plant has gained most of it's notoriety.

Featured on the reverse side of this commemorative coin is a design featuring a number of Cannabis leaves, with one prominent leaf at the forefront, enhanced with vibrant green. This central coloured leaf also contains the innovative "rub and smell" feature, giving off the synthesized fragrance of Marijuana when the area is rubbed. This feature is a rarity amongst collector coins, with only a few world coin issues featuring this unique technology available worldwide. The use of "rub and smell" usually lasts for around 40 times before the smell is no longer noticeable.

On the obverse is the coat of arms of the Republic of Benin, the country in West Africa where the coin's legal tender status has been authorised. Benin borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. It currently has a population of around 8,500,000 people within a space of 110,000km2 (Roughly the size of Louisiana which has a population about half that of Benin).

Each coin is made from copper-nickel (cupro-nickel) and then plated with 92.5% sterling silver. It is supplied within a protective plastic capsule and accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity which confirms the exclusive mintage of just 2,500 coins released worldwide. The coin is currently available to order through Euro Collections International.

Austrian Mint Issues Final Coin In "Celebrated Physicians" Gold Series

May 26, 2010 - The Austrian Mint releases the last in the quality 50 euro gold series entitled "Celebrated Physicians of Austria". The 4-coin series which began in 2007 saw a new issue released each year, with this final coin honouring Baron Clemens von Pirquet.


Austria 2010 50€ Clemens von Pirquet Gold Proof

About Celemens von Pirquet:

Clemens von Pirquet was born in 1874 in Vienna to a family of Austrian nobles with the title of Baron. He contemplated studying theology as well as philosophy before finally becoming a doctor of medicine, specializing in pediatrics. He is best known for his study of bacteriology and immunology. Pirquet introduced a number of progressive reforms in the hospital and nursing procedures. Among other things he established an open-air ward on the roof of the Children's Hospital, for children suffering from tuberculosis, and he required trainee doctors in his clinic to undergo a practical course in nursing.

Dr. Pirquet noted that some patients had more severe reactions to the smallpox vaccination than others. Along with fellow physician Bela Schick they developed the word 'allergy' to describe this hypersensitivity, by using the Greek word “allos” meaning other and “ergon” meaning reaction.

Pirquet was very active in the socio-political arena for the children and was accordingly so respected that he was even considered as a possible candidate for the Austrian presidency in 1928. However, after a life full of service and great medical achievements, Pirquet tragically ended his own life together with that of his beloved but incurably sick wife on February, 28, 1929. Austria and the world had lost a great physician and a wonderfully humane man.

The obverse of the coin, designed by Mint engraver Helmut Andexlinger, shows a head and shoulder portrait of Von Pirquet facing to the left, as well as the Aesculapius, symbol of the profession of medicine. Also included on this side of the coin is the face value of 50 euros, the year of issue 2010 and the country of issue “Republic Oesterreich”(Republic of Austria). On the upper right rim is his name "Clemens von Pirquet", as well as the years of his life 1874-1929.

The reverse of the coin depicts the façade of the Children’s Clinic of the university in Vienna as it was in 1920. In the left foreground is a nurse standing behind a child lying in a hospital bed. In the right cameo Dr. Pirquet is seen making notes while working at his microscope. The words “begruender der Allergielehre”(founder of the study of allergies), are inscribed to the lower left.

The 50-Euro commemorative coin is struck in 986 fine gold, with a maximum worldwide mintage of 50,000 pieces. Each coin contains 10 grams of fine gold and has a diameter of 22 mm. The coin is struck in proof quality so that the background provides a distinctive frosted contrast to the shiny relief. Each coin is encapsulated and comes in a case with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.

Other issues in the "Celebrated Physicians of Austria" Gold Proof series include:

Theodor Billroth (2009)	Ignaz Semmelweis (2008)
Gerard Van Swieten (2007)

Perth Mint Release 5th Coin In Highly Popular Deadly And Dangerous Series!

A spectacular addition to one of Australia’s hottest series, the latest issue in the Australian Deadly & Dangerous Series has just been unveiled! A typically superb illustration of The Perth Mint’s unrivalled full colour minting techniques, this vivid new legal tender collector coin pays homage to one of the world’s most lethal creatures – the Eastern Brown Snake.


Tuvalu 2010 $1 Easter Brown Snake 1oz Silver Proof

Fast and aggressive, the Eastern Brown Snake is also extremely poisonous. Indeed, the venom of the Eastern Brown Snake is said to be the second most toxic of all land snakes worldwide! Exceptionally dangerous, the bite of this species of snake can cause death in minutes, with even a young Eastern Brown Snake potentially able to deliver enough venom in a single bite to kill 20 adults. Growing to an average length of 1.4m, but known to grow up to 2.4m, the aggression of this lethal reptile has been captured perfectly upon the broad, 40.6mm flan of this unique, exclusive 1oz .999 fi ne Silver Proof.

Sure to catch the eye of full-colour coin collectors worldwide, the 2010 $1 Eastern Brown Snake Colour 1oz Silver Proof is essential for those who own any of the coins in the Deadly & Dangerous Series – all of which have sold out. Rarely offered, the soaring market values of the 2006 Redback Spider $1 (now A$1,000+), 2007 Great White Shark $1 (A$170+), 2008 Blue-Ringed Octopus $1 (A$200+) and 2009 Saltwater Crocodile $1 (A$165+) provides a very strong incentive for our clients to strike now – and secure the 2010 Deadly & Dangerous $1 at Official Issue Price!

• Distinguished by a dramatic full-colour design of Australia’s lethal Eastern Brown Snake
• Tiny worldwide mintage just 5,000 – sell-out assured
• Crafted to Proof quality from 1oz of pure .999 silver
• Struck by The Perth Mint as official Tuvalu legal tender of One Dollar
• Beautifully presented within a high-gloss timber case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity

Remarkable Antiqued Silver Coin Pair Paying Tribute To Barack Obama And Martin Luther King Jr.

Issued under the authority of the Cook Islands, this unique pair of antiqued silver coins pays tribute to two men who have come to stand for change in the United States - focusing on their most important speeches for social cooperation.


Cook Islands 2010 $5 Barack Obama & Martin Luther King Silver BU Pair

Under the banner of "Freedom - Equality - Unity" the coins pay respectful tribute to the current President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the iconic leader of the African American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. Each man, in his own way, has become an important figure for change in the United States, coming to symbolise the unity of a nation proud of it's dedication to work towards freedom and equality of all people regardless of race or religion.

This unique pair of coins each feature an iconic portrait of the men, designed in such a way as to almost mirror one another, much as their progress toward change has been a reflection of one another. Adding to the innovation, the design of Barack Obama is created in standard relief while Martin Luther King's portrait has been struck incuse, so as to be below the surface of the coin. Known famously for his "I have a dream" speech on August 28, 1963, as well his unswerving dedication to the emancipation of African Americans under an oppressive society, Martin Luther King Jr would surely have seen the election of President Obama in 2008 (45 years later) as a great step forward in equal rights. It is with that focus on unity that this pair of coins were produced. Above each portrait is the name and a quote from their most iconic speeches.

The coins have undergone a special minting process, giving them an "antiqued" appearance that adds quality and dignity to the pair of coins, each struck from 25 grams of 92.5% sterling silver.

The pair are presented in a special timber lift-top box and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming the strictly limited worldwide mintage of just 2500 pairs.

Royal Spanish Mint Honour 2010 EU Presidency With Commemorative Silver Coin

The celebrate the country of Spain being appoined as joint president of the EU in 2010, the Royal Spanish Mint have produced this lasting tribute coin struck in high quality silver proof.


Spain 2010 10€ EU Presidency Silver Proof

The presidency is in some regards executed in a shared manner in order to cope with the rather short six month term of the presidency. Three successive presidents forming a "triple-shared presidency" work together over a 1.5 year period to accomplish a common agenda by the current president simply continuing the work of the previous "lead-president" after the end of his/her term. This process also allows new member states to hold the presidency sooner, and at the same time the triplets are arranged so that, in each of them, there are both new and old member states, with the assumption that the old member states will pass their experience to the co-presidency new-members. Spain will share EU presidential duties with both Belgium and Hungary over the 18 month period from January 2010 until June 2011.

The reverse bears a central depiction of a column with interlaced lines symbolizing a coming together of flags. The area above this features the logotype created for the Spain/Belgium/Hungary team presidency, shaped with the lower-case letters "eu". Around the rim of the coin to the left is the commemoration inscription, while to the right is the nominal face value of 10 Euro and the 12 stars of the EU in a spiral pattern. The obverse carries the familiar effigy of His Majesty King Juan Carlos, together with his name and title and the year of issue.

This historic silver coin release is presented in the official blue Royal Spanish Mint jewel case and is accompanied with an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity attesting to the limited mintage of just 10,000 coins issued worldwide.