Новости нумизматики и коллекционирования

The Treasury of the Island of Niue have launched the first coin in an eight coin series which will focus on varying styles and significant periods of European art which has influenced our world. This issue features Romanesque Art and its focus for highlighting this period is the Benedictine abbey church of St. Marie-Madeleine or as it is sometimes referred to, the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene.

With its complex sculpted capitals and portals, it is one of the most outstanding masterpieces of Burgundian Romanesque art and architecture. Thought to have originated about the year 1050 by the monks of Vézelay who claimed to hold the relics of Mary Magdalene, Vézelay had become an important place of pilgrimage for the Catholic faithful. To accommodate the influx of pilgrims a new abbey church was begun, dedicated on April 21, 1104, but the expense of building so increased the tax burden in the abbey's parish that the peasants rose up and killed the Abbot. The number of pilgrims in later years was such that an extended narthex or, an enclosed porch was built and inaugurated by Pope Innocent II in 1132 to accommodate the faithful. The nave - which had burned down once before with a great loss of life, burned down once again in 1165 after which, it was rebuilt in its present form. The Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Struck by the Mint of Poland on behalf of the Treasury of Niue, the coin is designed by Robert Kotowicz who has accommodated the design to a square or diamond shape. The reverse includes an earlier depiction of the extraordinary carvings above the central portal leading to the nave of the Basilica, the doorway on the coin is decorated with inlays of agate. Below the primary design is the text “ROMANESQUE ART”.

The obverse cleverly shows a later renovated version of these magnificent carvings, also with the agate inlays in the doorway. A miniature portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II is placed just below the doorway and the text “NIUE ISLAND” is seen just above the portrait. The year “2014” is placed to the left corner of the coin and the coin’s denomination of “$1” is on the right side.

Сountry:	Australia
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	1 Dollar
Metal:	Silver .999
Weight:	28,2 g
Diameter:	40x40 mm
Quality:	oxidised
Mintage:	3,333 pcs

National Bank of Poland announced the issuance of three collector coins minted to commemorate the canonization of Pope John Paul II on April 15. 

The impending canonisation of popular Polish Pope John Paul II, formerly known as Karol Józef Wojtyła, has led to a plethora of new coins being released worldwide celebrating the event. On 4 July 2013, Pope Francis confirmed his approval of John XXIII and John Paul II for canonization, the date of which has been announced as 27 April 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday. John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope for more than 400 years and was the second longest serving Pope in history, leading the Catholic Church from 1978-2005.

As a pope, he’s been seen in retrospect as a more dividing figure than was seen at the time, particularly for his conservatism and failure to deal with many of the Catholic Churches issues. There’s no denying his advocacy of human rights however, or his part in the fall of Eastern European communism. Even though Pope John XXIII is also being canonised on the same date, an act that’s speculated has been designed to help unify the conservative and progressive factions within the church, coins for John XXIII are much less common.

Сountry:	Australia
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	500 zł	100 zł	10 zł	2 zł
Metal:	Silver .999	Gold .900	Silver .925	CuAl5Zn5Sn1
Weight:	1000 g	8 g	14,14 g	8,15 g
Diameter:	100 mm	21 mm	32 mm	27 mm
Quality:	Proof	Proof	Proof	Standart
Mintage:	966 pcs	5,000 pcs	50,000 pcs	1,600,000 pcs

Mint of Finland has designed a medal commemorating the Winter War that supports the building of the national Winter War memorial. The memorial will be unveiled in 2015 on the 75th anniversary of the end of the Winter War, and it will be located in Kasarmitori, Helsinki.

Talvisotayhdistys ry (The Winter War Association) is the initiator of the project, and President Martti Ahtisaari is the patron. The Finnish State, City of Helsinki and Talvisotayhdistys ry are providing the funding for the project. The commemorative medal is an adaptation of the Winter War medal from the 1940s, given to all the soldiers who fought in the Winter War.

The copper-nickel medal is in a card presenting the medal’s story and technical information. Price for the medal is €30.

Сountry:	Finland
Data of issue:	2014
Metal:	Kupariseos (CuZn10)
Weight:	20,5 g
Diameter:	38,6 mm
Quality:	Proof
Mintage:	20,000 pcs

The Winter War united the nation

The Winter War is part of the Finnish psyche. The war began when the Soviet Union, which had allied with Germany, invaded Finland on 30 November 1939. Finland was expected to surrender quickly because the Red Army was considerably larger and had superior equipment. However, the naysayers were proven wrong.

The spirit of the Winter War saved the country. Finland won a defensive victory, remained independent and gained worldwide recognition. Because of the 105-day Winter War, Finland was able to develop the welfare state it has today.

The second release within the Nature of Australia series features the platypus. The unusual animal appears swimming beneath the water on a diminutive gold proof coin.

The platypus is an animal like no other. This unique Australian mammal intrigued 18th century scientists with its webbed feet, bird-like bill, venomous spur and egg-laying method of reproduction. Since then it has become a much-loved symbol of Australia, including being featured on Australia’s 20 cent coin.

Appearing on a half gram of 99.99% gold coin and presented in a stylish black case, it offers many people an inexpensive entry into the gold market.

Сountry:	Australia
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	2 Dollars
Metal:	Gold .999
Weight:	0,5 g
Diameter:	11,15 mm
Quality:	Proof
Mintage:	5,000 pcs

The Royal Australian Mint has released a new 1kg Silver Proof-like Coin Year of the Horse Prestige Lunar series.

The coin will be presented in a leatherette case with a certificate of authenticity. Mintage 1,500 coins.

This will be a year of great energy and power as the high spirited horse takes centre stage. Gifted with many talents, those born in the year of the horse are trustworthy, friendly and open-minded. The 1kg Silver coin will feature the ‘Eight Horses’ of Má Wáng, renowned for having carried the fifth ruler of the Zhou Dynasty ,King Mu 1023-957 BCE.

Сountry:	Australia
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	30 Dollars
Metal:	Silver .999
Weight:	1000 g
Diameter:	99,95 mm
Quality:	Proof-like
Mintage:	1,500 pcs

Palau has released four newcoins in series World of Wonders. It was VIII (eighth) edition in the series.
Date of issue: December, 2013.

Mada'in Saleh
Mada’in Saleh is an ancient excavation site in modern day Saudi Arabia which has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2008. Mada’in Saleh is the former city of Hegra. The entire settlement with its 130 gigantic tombs was carved directly into stone. Most monuments and inscriptions date from the time between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. Thanks to the dry weather the inscriptions in Aramaic and Thamudic have been well preserved.

Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco’s landmark. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful and most famous bridges in the world. The bridge measures 1280 metres and was ceremoniously opened in 1937 after a four-year construction period. Up until 1964 it was the longest suspension bridge world-wide. With its special orange colour it stands out clearly from other bridges. It was originally supposed to be painted in a normal grey colour but people at that time liked the colour of anticorrosion paint so much, that it was left that way. Nowadays, the «old dame» carries 120’000 vehicles safely from one side to the other every day. Simultaneously the number of crossings are increasing constantly.

Las Ventas
The world’s largest bullring is located in the Spanish capital city Madrid – the Las Ventas. Interest in bullfighting increased in Spain at the beginning of the 20th century. The former Madrilenian city fathers therefore decided to construct a spectacular arena with a capacity of almost 24‘000 seats. The building was opened in 1934 after a construction period of 12 years.

Las Ventas is not only a venue for bullfights. Every year the Red Bull X-Fighters freestyle motocross competition is also held in this arena. Further highlights are a range of music concerts which take place there. For instance, in 1996 the Australian rock band AC/DC recorded their concert for their DVD «No Bull» here.

Parliament Hill
Canada’s government district was constructed in Ottawa on a then strategically important limestone hill. In the middle of the 19th century the English Queen Victoria declared the city of Ottawa, former Bytown, as Canada’s capital city. As a result, the government district was built on the site of a former military base – todays Parliament Hill. In 1876, seventeen years after the cut of the spade, work was completed. The most impressive building is the Centre Block with its 92 meter high Peace Tower. Ottawa’s landmark attracts approximately three million visitors annually.

Сountry:	Palau
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	5 Dollars
Metal:	Silver .925
Weight:	20 g
Diameter:	38,61 mm
Quality:	Proof
Mintage:	2,500 pcs

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has released a commemorative '2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL' coin in the 'Sport' series.
Date of issue: 17 March, 2014.

Obverse: State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan; an inscription «Ag 925 24 g» means metal, standard of coinage and weight; an inscription "2014" means the year of coinage; face value of the coin "100 ТЕҢГЕ" means the year of coinage; name of the issuing bank in Kazakh "ҚАЗАҚСТАН ҰЛТТЫҚ БАНКІ".

Reverse: the image of athletes during competition against the stylized stadium; along the circumference an inscription in English '2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL'.

Сountry:	Kazakhstan
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	100 Tenge
Metal:	Silver 925
Weight:	24 g
Diameter:	37 mm
Quality:	Proof
Mintage:	2,000 pcs

A new 'Spectacular Landscapes' series featuring 'Grand Canyon' will be released on April 2014. The coin is legal tender in Cook Islands and having denomination of 5 Dollars. Only 2,000 pcs of these stunning coins will be minted worldwide.

The Grand Canyon, one of the most impressive landscapes on earth, is about 450 km long and runs through the state of Arizona. The rift is up to 1800 metres deep and measures 30 kilometres at its widest point. Over millions of years the Grand Canyon was cut into the rocks by the Colorado River.

The first traces of humans found in the Grand Canyon area originate from Indians who were solely gatherers and hunters. Thousands of years later, Ancient Pueblo people, who were farmers and lived in mud huts, settled there. About 700 years ago they disappeared without a trace and were replaced by other Native American tribes.

The biggest part of the Grand Canyon lies in the national park bearing its name. This park covers about 4900 square kilometres and features several fantastic gazebos on the North and the South Rim. About 5 million people visit it annually and marvel at this spectacular miracle of nature.

Сountry:	Cook Islands
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	5 Dollars
Metal:	Silver 925
Weight:	20 g
Diameter:	38,61 mm
Quality:	Proof
Mintage:	2,000 pcs

This remarkable series goes back in Australia’s history to discover the larger-than-life animals that once roamed our land, with the third release depicting the Genyornis.

The Genyornis was a giant bird which formed part of a range of megafaunal creatures which inhabited Australia during the Pleistocene period. This incredible flightless bird was heavily built, standing more than two metres tall, with massive hind legs, tiny wings and hoof-like toes. Fossils of Genyornis have been found in association with human artefacts, including cave paintings and carved footprints, suggesting human co-existence. Sometimes such fossils have been found in groups, suggesting that, like emus, the species may have lived in mobs.

The third coin in the remarkable Australian Megafauna coin series, the Genyornis, takes you back in time to discover this larger-than-life animal that once roamed Australia.

The reverse of the coin features a design by paleo-artist, Peter Trusler, of a Genyornis set against a coloured background. The inscription GENYORNIS, the coin’s weight and fineness, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark are also incorporated into the design.

Issued as Australian legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2014 year-date and the monetary denomination are shown on the coin’s obverse.

Сountry:	Australia
Data of issue:	2014
Face value:	1 Dollar
Metal:	Silver 999
Weight:	31,135 g
Diameter:	40,60 mm
Quality:	Proof
Mintage:	6,500 pcs

Previous releases: Procoptodon, Diprotodon
Forthcoming releases: Thylacoleo, Megalania

This series honors a key part of French culture, representing the most illustrious characters from French literature in all its forms: from novels and short stories to theatre, philosophy, and more.

Julien Sorel is the main character of the novel The Red and The Black by Stendhal, published in 1830. Epitomizing the figure of the romantic hero, young, ambitious and proud, Julien Sorel defines himself throughout the story as a tormented rebel achieving his tragical fate.

The obverse presents Julien Sorel standing pistol in the hand. Madam de Rênal and Mathilde de la Mole appear in the background in a church set.

On the reverse, Stendhal’s portrait is accompanied by the quotation "Toute vraie passion ne songe qu’à elle. Qui s’excuse s’accuse".

Сountry:	France
Data of issue:	October 1, 2013
Face value:	10 Dollars	50 Dollars
Metal:	Silver 900	Gold 920
Weight:	22,2 g	8,45 g
Diameter:	37 mm	22 mm
Quality:	Proof	Proof
Mintage:	5,000 pcs	500 pcs

The following series will be:
2011: The Tragics (Nana, Cosette, L’Etranger)
2012: The Adventurers (Cyrano, D’Artagnan, Le Chat Botté)
2013: The Romantics (Madame Bovary, Odette de Crécy, Julien Sorel)
2014: The Moralists (Rastignac, Candide, Harpagon)
2015: The Passionnates (Manon Lescaut, Tristan et Iseult, Chimène).