Новости нумизматики и коллекционирования

The recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia over control of Crimea goes back many years.

In 1783 Catherine the Great made Crimea part of the Russian Empire. During the Russian civil war the region declared independence and passed between Bolshevik and White Government forces several times, accompanied by a massive slaughter of civilians. In 1921 it was made an autonomous republic within Russia. Greeks, Armenians and Bulgarians living in Crimea were forced to leave.

During World War II the area came under German control and the sizeable Jewish population was annihilated. After the Soviets regained control the entire population of Crimean Tatars, who had at one time made up a majority of the region, were forcibly deported.  Russian families were settled in Crimea to replace them. In 1954 Crimea was transferred from Russia to Ukraine. At the time it made little difference, since both were part of the Soviet Union.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 Crimea became part of Ukraine. Russia found its Black Sea fleet and other military installations now located in independent Ukraine rather on its own soil.  A majority of the population of Crimea is Russian, as most other ethnic groups had been “cleansed” from the area.  In February 2014 pro-Russian forces, supported by Moscow, took control over Crimea. A quickly called referendum was held on March 16, with a vast majority voting to join Russia.

On March 17 the newly created Crimean parliament declared independence from Ukraine, and on the following day, Crimea officially became part of Russia. The transfer has not been widely recognized.

This unofficial four coin set of Crimea includes the 5, 10, 25 and 100 Rubles. The 25 and 100 Rubles are bi-metallic.

The designs of the 5 and 25 Rubles feature voting, while the 10 and 100 Rubles depict a fist. The reverse of the all the coins feature the Arms of Crimea.

The coin from a fascinating series 'Cartoon Characters' dedicated to cartoon characters who have won the hearts of millions of fans all around the world.

Thanks to this exceptional coin smart Yogi Bear and his companion Boo Boo will find a cosy place in your collection!  This out-of-ordinary item is not just an uncommon theme but also a charming cartoon design, having the multitude of decorations and... the ability to bring out heart-warming childhood memories.

In the foreground of obverse – a piece of a roll of film which divides a coin into two parts. Above – a profile portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On the right – the face value '1 DOLLAR'. Along the rim – inscriptions: the issuer 'NIUE ISLAND', the year of issue '2014', 'ELIZABETH II'.

The coin reverse depicts a cartoon scene with Yogi and Boo Boo. Above – a coloured inscription: YOGI BEAR. On the left side of the coin – a signature of the Hanna-Barbera studio which confirms the coin design authorization.

History was made when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Canada in 1939. It was the first time a reigning monarch had ever traveled to North America, and for a young nation eager to flex its muscles of independence, the royal tour provided the perfect opportunity. Eight years earlier, a number of colonies had gained full sovereignty from British rule under the Statute of Westminster; for Canada, the Royal Tour would breathe life into that legal document in a real and dramatic way.

The royal tour was more than two years in the making; a grand, 29-day voyage across Canada from east to west and back again—almost 14,000 kilometres by rail. The royal train featured the best carriages that Canadian Pacific and the Canadian National Railway had to offer, with two specially fitted convertible McLaughlin-Buicks on board to tour the royal couple in cities and towns along the way.

An ultra high relief, frosted cameo engraving of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Royal Canadian Mint engravers re-created the King’s military hat to accurately represent the attire he wore during the royal tour of 1939. Royal Canadian Mint engravers reproduced archival photographs from the royal tour of 1939. The date and denomination are both indicated.

Coin is beautifully engraved with the added dimension and old-world craftsmanship of ultra-high relief. This exceptional technique is normally reserved for large medals and medallions, but has been applied to this coin to create an effigy that literally rises from the coin's surface, like a sculpture.

It would make an excellent gift for any fan of the British Royal Family or history buff, or a distinguished addition to any collection of fine silver.

The Austrian Mint honors Austria’s role in the weakening of the Berlin Wall with a new Proof 2014 .900 fine silver 20-euro coin due for release June 25. A preview of the coin had been provided earlier this year at the World Money Fair Media Forum.

On the obverse is the image of a young “everyman” as he escapes from oppression and totalitarianism represented by the Berlin Wall and barbed wire on the left side and going toward freedom and greener grass on the right side. The inscriptions include “Republik Osterreich”, the denomination “20 Euro”, and date “2014″.

On the reverse, the same man is shown as he emerges into the “Free World” containing images of famous landmarks from nations involved in the process that led to the end of the Cold War. The landmarks include Charles Bridge for the former Czechoslovakia, the Riesenrad Ferris wheel for Austria, the Chain Bridge for Hungary, Brandenburg Gate for Germany, and the Statue of Liberty for the United States of America. The inscription reads “25 Jahre Fall Des Eisernen Vorhangs”.

The Mint of Poland presents the second coin 'Four Leaf Clover' from the series 'Symbols of Luck'. From the dawn of time it is believed that the four-leaf clover attracts good luck and success. The four leaves of a clover symbolize faith, hope, love and prosperity. It is believed that the lucky finder of a four-leaf clover is surrounded by the atmosphere of good fortune.

Reverse: on the right side of the coin – two four-leaf clovers embellished with digital printing. On the left – a transparent capsule which contains a silver filigree insert in the form of a four-leaf clover. In the background – a stylized surface emblazoned with decorative motifs. Along the rim – an inscription 'GOOD LUCK'.

Obverse: capsule containing a silver filigree insert in the form of a four-leaf clover. Next to the capsule – the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On the right – two four-leaf clovers. In the background – stylized decorative surface. Along the rim – inscriptions: the issuer 'NIUE ISLAND', 'ELIZABETH II', the mint mark 'm/w', '1 DOLLAR 2014'.

The Mint of Finland have unveiled a new series of coins dedicated to the animals of the provinces of Finland.

The Mint of Finland began minting provincial coins in 2010. In 2012–2013, the series depicted the landmark buildings of Finland’s historic provinces, while the coins minted in 2010–2011 featured traditional livelihoods and provincial culture along with the crests or, coats of arms of each province. Following in the successes of the provincial buildings series and the historical provinces series, the new coins focus on the wildlife found in the country with startling images featured on the obverse sides.

The first two coins in the series will open with the provinces of Karelia and Savonia being represented.

The obverse sides of provincial animal coins are designed by Erkki Vainio and reverse sides by Nora Tapper.

The Karelians' provincial animal coin depicts the cuckoo, behind which opens a traditional Karelian lake vista. The cuckoo coin is most beautiful in proof quality. It is a timid bird thatis rarely sighted, since it is most comfortablehiding in the dense boughs oftrees. Everyone recognises the cuckoo’ssong, though. The Finnish people have attached many beliefs to its cuckooingthroughout the ages. For example, a person’sremaining years have been countedby the cuckoo’s first summer song.

The Mint of Poland presents a coin dedicated to one of the most popular sports disciplines in the World – football.

The theme of the coin refers to this year’s most important football feast. This silver coin was made with the use of diverse technologies. Multi-coloured flags on its reverse have been mapped with the precise digital printing. Additionally, the realistic look of a ball has been emphasized by a relief and different kinds of frosting.

In the central part of the obverse – the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On the right – the mint mark 'm/w'. Below – the hallmark: Ag 999. In the rim – inscriptions: 'ELIZABETH II •2 DOLLARS 2014 • NIUE ISLAND'. Along the rim – a decorative motif in the form of dots.

In the central part of the reverse – a relief image of a ball. Below – a group of football fans against a mirror-like surface. Around – flags symbolizing countries which participate in this year’s competition.

The Royal Canadian Mint have launched a new series which highlights the ghost tales that delight and frighten people of all ages – in this case and for the first coin in the series, the tale of the “Ghost Bride” is featured.

The tale begins in the 1930's and involves a young bride who along with her new spouse was a guest at the Palatial Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta. The wedding day itself held nothing but promise for the young lovebirds. The groom stood in the library, waiting for his bride to arrive, before they made their way together to the glamorous Cascade Ballroom for the evening's celebrations. As the newlyweds stepped onto the winding limestone staircase, the numerous lit candles that lined the steps cast a soft amber glow on the bride, who was resplendent in her white lace gown and veil. The tale, as it is remembered – tells the story of the new bride stepping onto the ascending staircase, suddenly stumbled and tragically fell to her death.

Since then, the Ghost Bride as she has been named, has made the Fairmont Banff Springs her eternal home. To this day, some claim to have seen an apparition dancing in the hotel's ballroom or walking down the staircase, as she did on that fateful day which brought a tragic end to her love story – till death do us part .

The coin was launched in the very place where this tale originates – the Fairmont Banff Springs. Often referred to as “Canada's Castle in the Rockies” the Fairmont is a landmark hotel which was opened in 1888 and was the inspiration of Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, 19th century railway pioneer and hotel visionary. Its construction marked the birth of tourism in the Canadian Rockies. Styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, The Fairmont Banff Springs is a National Historical Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The coin, which incorporates lenticular technology, offers further enhancement of the portrait of the bride with her eyes closed, her bridal headdress softly cascading over her shoulders – tilt the coin slightly and…her eyes suddenly spring open, while the candles that lined the staircase light up the once-black background.Below the Ghost Bride is the familiar image of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs.The obverse includes the current portrait HM Queen Elizabeth II which is used on all Canadian coins since 2003, the portrait is the work of Susanna Blunt.

The Mint of Poland presents the second coin from the series “Missing Works of Art”. In this collection we introduce several precious artifacts that were never found after their mysterious disappearance during the Second World War.

The coin commemorates one of the most valuable realistic images of the Madonna with Baby Jesus – the Beautiful Madonna of Torun.

This exceptional coin reflects the spirit of the sculpture. Its reverse presents a precisely mapped image of the Beautiful Madonna of Torun, a Gothic sculpture created at the turn of the 14th and 15th century. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist is shown in the background. In this Cathedral the statue was housed till it was lost during World War I, after it was taken by the Germans. The empty frame on the obverse refers to the theme of the series.

The obverse depicts an empty frame which symbolizes the theme of the series. In the lower part of the coin – the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and inscriptions: UTRACONE DZIEŁA SZTUKI (the name of the series in Polish), m/w (the mint mark), 1 DOLLAR (the face value), NIUE ISLAND (the issuer), ELIZABETH II and the year of issue (2014). At the bottom, on the left – the hallmark: Ag 999.

In the foreground on reverse – a sculpture of the Beautiful Madonna of Torun. In the background – an image of the old town and the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Below – an exquisite decoration in the form of three SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystals. Along the rim – decorative ornaments. In the upper and lower part of the coin – an inscription: PIĘKNA MADONNA Z TORUNIA (the name of the coin in Polish).

The next coin of the series: Chalice from the Tyniec Abbey.

Pursuant to the provisions of Law 312/2004 on the Statute of the National Bank of Romania, on 2 June 2014, the National Bank of Romania will put into circulation, for numismatic purposes, a mint set comprising three coins (gold, silver and coppered tombac), as well as a silver coin dedicated to the 150^th anniversary of the establishment of Romania's Senate.

Obverse of the coins: partial depiction of the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, a snapshot during a Senate meeting, the coat of arms of Romania, the year of issue “2014”, the face value “100 LEI”, “10 LEI” or “1 LEU” and the inscription “ROMANIA” in an arc.

Reverse (common to all coins in the set – gold, silver and coppered tombac): the portraits of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza and Metropolitan Bishop Nifon – the first president of the Senate, their names, the inscription “150 DE ANI DE LA INFIINTAREA SENATULUI” in an arc and “1864”, the year of the celebrated event.

The silver coin has the same technical characteristics and description as the silver coin included in the mint set.

The coins in the set (gold, silver and coppered tombac) have the following technical characteristics:

The mintage of this numismatic issue is:

• 150 mint sets (gold, silver and coppered tombac coins);
• 250 silver coins.