2008 Emblems of Britain Silver Proof Set

The 2008 Emblems of Britain Silver Proof Set, struck in .925 sterling silver, is the new set of coins the British Royal Mint is issuing to mark the occasion of a major change in the legal tender coinage since decimalisation. New designs from the 1 pence to the pound will reflect the more modern twenty-first century Britain.

According to the mint, "The Silver Collection comprises seven coins bearing the definitive reverse designs, the portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS on their obverse, and are all dated 2008. Each coin is struck in .925 sterling silver to Proof quality. For such a magnificent collection, the Royal Mint has commissioned high-quality black leather-effect cases designed exclusively to house the silver Proof coins. An informative booklet featuring a potted history of the iconic designs completes the presentation. Incorporated into each booklet is an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Deputy Master of the Royal Mint. A fully illustrated and informative presentation folder telling the story of decimalisation has been specially created for this collection of silver Proof coins."

There is a low issue of 10,000 collections and all coins in the collection are dated 2008. They will be available from 19th November 2007.

The Mint advises also that, "As for their designs, a new portrait of the Queen by Arnold Machin RA had already been prepared and approved, while for the reverse designs it was announced in November 1966 that a public competition would be arranged. More than 80 artists took part and, from the 900 or so designs that were received, a series by Christopher Ironside was eventually approved, his designs drawing praise for the 'lack of clutter', a requirement that had been stressed in the creative brief."

Price for the collection is £149.95 and the Code is UKL8SPS.

The mint is taking order now and The 2008 Emblems of Britain Silver Proof Set is set to be a much sought after collectors item in the coming years and is likely to be snapped up by collectors and dealers directly they are issued.

The Royal Air Force Silver Proof Coin Collection

The Royal Air Force Silver Proof Coin Collection is the newest collection by the British Royal Mint to celebrate 90 years of the Royal Air Force.

According to the Royal Mint, "On 1 April 1918 the RAF was formed by the amalgamation of the existing Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy Air Service. The new service, independent of army or naval control, had come into being. Two significant events in the history of the RAF took place in 1919, the first being the appointment of Winston Churchill as the Secretary of State for War and Air and the second the return of Sir Hugh Trenchard as Chief of the Air Staff. By the December of that year, Churchill placed before Parliament a memorandum prepared by Trenchard outlining 'the Scheme for the Permanent Organisation of the Royal Air Force'. Trenchard's plans proved successful, shaping the RAF and enabling it to expand and develop over the coming years. His command, guidance and efforts in this regard earned him the respected title 'Father of the RAF.'anic origin and a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is also famous as the place of Exile for Napoleon Bonaparte between 1815 and his death in 1821."

This superb set of .925 sterling silver proof quality coins were issued for St Helena. Named after St. Helena of Constantinople, St Helena is an island of volcanic origin and a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is famous as the place of Exile for Napoleon Bonaparte between 1815 and his death in 1821.

All of the 18 coins feature impressive designs on the reverse created by the Royal Mint engravers with nine of the silver coins bear detailed renditions of some of the most famous aircraft in history, and the other nine well-known heroic pilots and all coins are unified with the inclusion of a full-colour RAF roundel (an icon of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors). Surrounding each design is the lettering, chosen by the design team for its pleasing strength, and proclaiming its hero or aircraft.

The first coin features Sir Douglas Bader's Hawker Hurricane at a special introductory price. Designed by Sydney Camm this aircraft will always be remembered for the vital role it played during the Battle of Britain. Each month thereafter the next in the series of .925 sterling silver coins is issued approximately every 28 days until the collection is complete.

The obverse shared by all companion coins bears the portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Raphael Maklouf.

This 18-coin collection will feature the following famous aircraft and pilots.

Hawker Hurricane
Douglas Bader
Supermarine Spitfire
Johnny Johnson
Mosquito
John Braham
Vulcan
Leonard Cheshire
Lancaster
Guy Gibson
Harrier
David Lord
The Gnat
Ray Hanna
SE5A Mick Mannock
Typhoon
Lord Trenchard

The Mosquito flew night missions and was guided by its target by a radar system. To best represent the aircraft use, the coin has reverse frosting and, the aircraft images themselves are modelled incuse giving the impression as though lit by searchlights at night.

The pilots and aircraft mentioned above are subject to alteration and the order is subject to change without notification. Coins shown are not actual size. Prices and packaging may change without notice. Coins featured in the sets may not be packed as shown.

The collection also comes with a number of complementary gifts by the Mint.

An illustrated Story card, giving information on each of the famous aircrafts or pilots in the collection, will accompany each 18 coin.

A Temporary Case with the first coin to safely hold and protect your coins.

Includes also is carefully selected cards and messages; a Christmas dinner menu from 1943 from RAF Station Ford, an illustrated booklet 'Taking off' by Noel Monks plus many more interesting memorabilia from the RAF.

A luxury wooden case houses the 18 coins in the collection comes with the sixth coin and an extra tray with the eighth.

The RAF Book by Michael A Fopp, 'The Tradition is Safe' comes with the 10th coin and includes the history of the RAF with photographs and information from the RAF Museum.

Finally a Certificate of Ownership with the final coin confirming the strict issue limit of 20,000 collections.

The Royal Air Force Silver Proof Coin Collection is likely to be one of the most sought after collections in the future.

Early Governors of Australia Silver Proof Collection

The Perth Mint is about to launch the Early Governors of Australia Silver Proof Collection This is a collection of 5 one ounce silver proof coins, each depicting one of the early Governors of Australia.

This excellent five-coin collection pays tribute to Australia’s first five Governors - Arthur Phillip, John Hunter, Philip Gidley King, William Bligh and Lachlan Macquarie – whose leadership helped lay vital foundations for the future nation.

According to the Mint, "Each 2008-dated coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality. The reverse of each silver coin portrays a Governor and a convict chain, which are struck in high relief. Each reverse includes a colored illustration of a symbolic moment in the Governor’s tenure."

Arthur Phillip (1788-1792)
Australia’s first Governor, Phillip commanded the First Fleet which entered Botany Bay before moving north to a permanent settlement in Port Jackson. The colored reverse illustration depicts the Union flag being raised at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788.

John Hunter (1795-1800)
Improving life in the colony, Hunter developed democracy, enhanced the legal system, created a civilian police force and supported Bass and Flinders’ explorations. The colored reverse illustration symbolizes his reform of the management of convict labor.

Philip Gidley King (1800-1806)
Among his achievements, King brought order to the chaotic currency system. The colored reverse illustration depicts his famous Proclamation, posted on the Government store in 1800, providing relative values for the mix of foreign coins in the colony.

William Bligh (1806-1808)
The former captain of HMS Bounty, Bligh’s attempts to limit the power of the corrupt NSW Corps ended in personal disaster. The colored reverse illustration depicts the ‘Rum Rebellion’ of 1808 and his reputed effort to escape arrest by hiding under a bed.

Lachlan Macquarie (1810-1821)
The founder of Australia’s first bank and the mastermind of its first official coinage, Macquarie is considered a national icon. The colored reverse illustration includes an image of the Holey Dollar and Dump, created by punching the centre out of Spanish silver dollars.

Specifications of the coins are:

Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
Struck in High Relief
colored Reverse Illustrations
Issued as Legal Tender
Presentation Case and Booklet
Free Print of Old Sydney
Extremely Limited Mintage
Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Cost: AUS $399.00
Code No.: 08K75ZAA
High Relief Reverse
Extremely Limited Mintage
Just 1,808 of these collections will be released.
Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Each collection is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The Perth mint are offering a PRE-RELEASE opportunity.

The product availability date is 22 November 2007, but the Perth Mint are accepting orders for the Early Governors of Australia Silver Proof Collection. The Coins will not be shopped, however, until the 22nd November or thereabouts.

Each coin, which is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.

The collection is housed in a leather-look book-style timber case accompanied by an 8-page historical booklet providing information on each Governor.
Free Print of Old Sydney

The collection comes with a bonus poster reproducing an image of old Sydney by Major Taylor (48 Regt.) and engraved by R. Havell & Sons in 1823. Measuring 404mm by 300mm, the free colored poster is valued at $29.00. (Please note that this poster is folded for delivery.)

To ensure you get your issue of the Early Governors of Australia Silver Proof Collection it would pay to order as soon as possible!

Rugby World Cup 2007 €50 Kilo Silver Proof Coin

The British Royal Mint, stretches back over 1100 years of producing the coinage of Britain. Now they celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2007 with the issuance of the Rugby World Cup 2007 €50 Kilo Silver Proof Coin

This is an impressive coin and has been struck to superb Proof quality in the tradition of the Royal Mint. It is also a Rugby World Cup 2007 Official Licensed Product issued by La Monnaie de Paris.

There are only 299 coins going to be minted and, together with the unusual oval shape in the form of a rugby ball, this will make the kilo coin an exceptionally rare issue.
Only 40 silver Proof Kilo coins are currently available from the Royal Mint. Each coin is housed in a luxurious three-tiered wooden case, accompanied by an official 2007 Rugby World Cup rugby ball and a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The Code is RWC7SPK and the price, £1295.00.
According to the mint, "Issued by La Monnaie de Paris, the coin features a reverse design depicting two rugby players in action, while the obverse portrays rugby posts along with the International Rugby Board official logo."

"Just 299 of these silver Proof kilo coins will be struck to satisfy worldwide demand, and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity attesting to the low issue limit. Only 40 silver Proof kilo coins are available direct from the Royal Mint."
This 2007 The Rugby World Cup will be the sixth Rugby World Cup for the Quadrennial World Championship. It is being hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October 2007 with forty-two matches spread between ten French cities, four matches in Cardiff and two matches in Edinburgh.

One will have to be very quick to get one of these!


Rugby World Cup 2007 Official Licensed Product
Product under license by La Monnaie de Paris
TM © Rugby World Cup Limited. 1986 - 2007.
All rights reserved.

2007 Act of Union Silver Proof Piedfort

The £2 limited-edition commemorative 2007 Act of Union Silver Proof Piedfort is in celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union that brought together the two kingdoms of Scotland and England under one Parliament.

According to the British Mint, "When James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603 the two countries were united under one monarchy. The Royal Arms and banners were to reflect the new realm of ‘Great Britain’ and there was to be a new Union Flag which, in the event, combined the Cross of St George with the Cross of St Andrew."

Over the course of the seventeenth century several attempts were made to bring about a closer union between the two nations but it was more than a century before Scotland and England were eventually united under one Parliament. The Act of Union was passed in 1707, thus making Queen Anne the first sovereign of the newly established United Kingdom. While many Scots had been hostile to the Union, it was not without its supporters north of the border and, ultimately, both countries gained much from the alliance. The Union has continued over the last three centuries and its longevity looks to continue in perpetuity.

The Act of Union Silver Proof Piedfort is struck in .925 sterling silver and includes gold plating on the outer ring. This wonderful looking Proof coin has an original reverse by the artist Yvonne Holton FRSA. The design symbolizes the joining of England and Scotland by the use of a rose for England and a thistle for Scotland quartered with two portcullis signifying Parliament.

Appropriately, the edge inscription on this superb commemorative issue includes the wording ‘UNITED INTO ONE KINGDOM’.

The British Royal Mint has stated that only 5,000 silver Proof Piedfort coins will be struck to satisfy worldwide demand but each coin will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Collectors will appreciate the minter’s craft, from the frosted designs to the mirror-like finish of this Proof-quality coin and the 2007 Act of Union Silver Proof Piedfort is sure to become a treasured collectors item.