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By Louis Golino
The Monnaie de Paris, or the Mint of Paris, which is France’s official national mint, is the world’s oldest continuously operated minting facility.
The Paris Mint: 1156 years of
history
The mint was founded by Charles the Bald, one of Charlemagne's successors, who decreed with the Edict of Pistres in 864, creating a coining workshop attached to the French crown. This decree made the facility in Paris the main operation, although there was also a network of provincial mints.
Charles the Bald used the reorganization of minting in France after the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to re-establish his country's territorial unity.
Since 1796 the Paris Mint has been attached to the French Ministry of the economy as a government-owned institution.
Today the mint has two facilities – one in Paris and one in Pessac – which produce all of France's circulating, bullion, and numismatic coinage, as well as medals on demand for various customers, coins for other…
By Louis Golino
In 1519 the Spanish conquistador known as Hernan Cortes (an explorer for the King of Castile) led an expedition to what is now Mexico (New Spain at the time). There he conquered the Aztec empire in 1519 and claimed the land for Spain. The search for gold and silver deposits, alongside the desire for new trade routes and territory, is part of what led Cortes to this area of the world.
In 1535 Antonio de Mendoza established a mint in New Spain, which became the first significant minting facility in North America. Known today as the Mexican Mint, or Casa de Moneda de Mexico, this new Mint quickly became one of the largest producers of coinage on the North American continent.The Spanish Dollar
The Spanish dollar, also known as the pieces of eight, was denominated in reales in Spanish. They became the first international currency in the 16th century, reaching Asia, Oceania, and North America because of their widespread use in trade, relative stability, and the…
By Sean McConeghy
Korea Minting, Security Printing and ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) is a corporation owned by the South Korean government. It strikes the country’s coins and prints banknotes, as well as other government documents. The corporation’s headquarters is located in Daejeon, South Korea. Over the past few years, the Mint has emerged on the global scene with its new gold and silver bullion products. Countless collectors have taken strongly to these new series. They provide unique options from Asia, the numismatic space of which has long been dominated by the China Mint.A Brief History of the KOMSCO Mint
KOMSCO was founded in 1951 during the Korean War. It was responsible for creating currency for the Republic of Korea, a particularly important and challenging undertaking given North Korea’s propensity for counterfeiting currency. It was also tasked with the production of other national security products. Over time, its mandate expanded to include paper…
By Sean McConeghy
The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is a fascinating institution whose history reflects the history of its nation. Formerly a British institution, the mint evolved, becoming as unique as its home nation. Today, it produces two of the world’s oldest modern bullion coins, the Gold and Silver Maple Leaf coins. It also offers a stunning variety of collectible products that reflect Canadian pride and beauty.A Brief History of the Royal Canadian Mint
For much of its history, Canada was governed by London. The country became independent in 1867 with the passage of the British North America Act, which rendered it a self-governing part of the British Empire. Although independent in terms of governance, the country maintained strong ties with Great Britain. For example, for a period the country's coins were struck at The Royal Mint in London, with a few also struck at Heaton Mint, a private facility in Birmingham, England. In 1901, a new branch of The Royal Mint was authorized…
By Louis Golino
Following the success of the five 2019 West Point national parks quarters last year, which helped increase interest in collecting coins from circulation, the U.S. Mint has announced that it will issue 2020 quarters with a “W” mint mark. However, this year something special is being added to those five limited-issue U.S. Mint quarters – a special V75 privy mark on the obverse.
The privy mark, which is part of the master die for the coins, reads “V75” within an outline of the rainbow pool of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC and denotes the 75th anniversary of the allied victory in World War II. It will appear to the left of President Washington’s profile in the center of the left side of the obverse. While these are the second U.S. coins to feature a privy mark after the American Innovation dollars, they will be the first United States Mint quarters to sport a privy mark.
Privy marks historically have been grouped with mint marks…
By Louis Golino
Towards the end of the summer of 2019, with little fanfare the United States Mint added a product to its product schedule, a second 2019-dated Enhanced Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle following the one issued on July 3 as part of the U.S.-Canada Pride of Two Nations set. That set included a 2019-W Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagle – the first coin ever issued with that finish, which has “the same frosted background as a standard Reverse Proof, but different design element finishes.” In particular, the Enhanced Reverse Proof “has the same frosted background as a reverse proof coin, but what sets it apart are the multiple polished and frosted finishes applied to different isolated design elements. The selective polishing and frosting dramatically enhances the visual impact of the design,” according to the United States Mint.
When the U.S Mint first added the second coin of this type to its schedule slated for a November 14 release, collectors did not…
By Sean McConeghy
The Royal Canadian Mint's Peace Dollar
Updated 11/12/2020
World War I was one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history. It also happened to be among the first wars that was brought home to those not on the frontlines through photos and videos. The entire world celebrated peace when it finally ended. The U.S Mint got in on the festivities with Anthony de Francisci’s Peace Dollar, which made its debut in 1921. 99 years later, Canada issued a Peace Dollar of its own that was inspired by de Francisci’s design.
The first Canada Peace Dollar followed the 2019 Peace and Liberty medal on which the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) collaborated with former U.S Mint Chief Engraver, John Mercanti. Celebrating values cherished by the two countries, it consisted of a Peace design by retired RCM Senior Engraver Susan Taylor and a Liberty design by Mercanti. Following the Peace and Liberty Medal, the RCM released the first-ever 2020 Canada Peace Dollar in the fall of 2019.
…
By Louis Golino
On August 15 the U.S. Mint will begin accepting orders for the latest products in its American Liberty series of $100, 1 oz. high relief gold coins and accompanying silver medals, which for the first time will also be struck in high-relief and have a weight of 2.5 ounces.
2019 American Liberty Obverse
The obverse design for both products features a left-facing profile of Liberty with flowing hair wearing a headdress with 13 rays of light, designed to symbolize the American people’s free and creative spirit. “LIBERTY” is inscribed over the rays, and the field between the rays will have a different finish than the rest of the obverse design. The design evokes the headdress on the $10 Indian gold coin issued from 1907 to 1933. Below the portrait of Liberty is the inscription, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” while to its left is the year of issue, “2019” and to the right are 13 five-pointed stars. Below the date is “W” for the West Point Mint, where the gold…
By Louis Golino
This year American coin collectors will be able to celebrate July 4 – the day of American independence – with a new, limited-edition two-coin set that will be released the day before. Canadians will also have a great way to mark Canada Day -- the July 1 holiday that used to be called Dominion Day. That is when the country became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.
Called Pride of Two Nations, the set is the first-ever joint numismatic release between the United States Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint. It will commemorate their legacy of close relations and longstanding friendship as well as the rich history of both nations with a set that will include the first-ever enhanced Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle and first-ever Silver Maple Leaf with a Modified Proof finish.
The U.S. Mint has set a mintage and product limit of 100,000 sets and a household limit of 5 sets,…
By Louis Golino
The Royal Mint of the United Kingdom is one of the world’s oldest and most important mints with over 1,100 years of experience. It produces all the nation’s circulating coins, as well as bullion and commemorative coinage and medals. It has also minted circulating coins for over 100 issuing authorities around the world.
Historical overview
Coinage in Great Britain dates to the second century BC when Celtic tribes first introduced coins to the region. During the Roman rule of Britain, the Romans established mints all over the area, including in London, but that ended with the end of Roman rule. No coins were made in Britain for the next 200 years, until the English kingdoms emerged in 650 AD.
At that time as many as 30 mints were set up in Britain, including in London, and control of those mints alternated depending on which tribe won battles for control of the land.
Alfred the Great regained London in 866 AD from a warring tribe and then started…