Numismatic News from Around the World for November and December 2016

Here are some Coin World headlines relating to coins and banknotes:

AUSTRALIA: On November 24th, the Royal Australian Mint revealed a non-circulating commemorative 50-Cent coin honoring Australian cricketer Richie Benaud (1930-2015).

BOLIVIA: According to a newly secured contract, the Mint of FINLAND (Suomen Rahapaja) will make 88 million bimetallic 5-Bolivianos circulation coins in 2017 and 2018. Finnish officials believe this deal is important for strengthening relationships between Finland and countries in South America.

CANADA: The Royal Canadian Mint minted its first football-shaped coins. The silver $25 coin and gold $200 coin are both in Proof condition and have a convex and concave surface.

LATVIA: On November 10th, the Bank of Latvia (Latvijas Bankas) released its first issue in a coin series that are inspired by historic gold brooches.

NORWAY: The Bank of Norway (Norges Bank) will release new designs for the Scandinavian country's banknotes. The 100 Krone and 200 Krone banknotes will be issued to the public on May 30, 2017. Each banknote features a design relating to the country's seafaring history and economy. "The old notes will become invalid one year after their replacements are issued," according to Coin World.

SAN MARINO: Completely surrounded by Italy, this tiny mountainous country released its first ringed-bimetallic 5 Euro coin. This coin commemorates the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, a period of Catholic period held from December 8th, 2015 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) to November 20th, 2016 (Feast of Christ the King).

UNITED KINGDOM: The 2017 British Sovereign gold coin celebrates the 200th anniversary of this iconic Saint Peter-slaying-Dragon coin design. This design on the modern sovereign coins (dating back to 1817) originated from coin-engraver Benedetto Pistrucci.

UNITED STATES: (1) About 8,000 to 9,000 unsold Winged Liberty Head (2016) gold dimes were on sale starting December 15th for $200. (2) Three new mint products round out the year's brilliant offerings from the United States Mint. Numismatists can now buy the following coins: the 2016 American Eagle silver dollar (uncirculated; W mint mark), Silver Proof Set, and Fort Moultrie 5-ounce silver quarter (uncirculated; 99.9% fine silver; P mint mark) of the America the Beautiful series. (3) Through the Operation Sunset activity on November 15th, the Secret Service and Peruvian officials seized $30 million and €50,000 worth of counterfeit banknotes in Lima, PERU. Forty-eight (48) people were arrested. This was the Secret Service's largest seizure of counterfeit banknotes in history!

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