Coin World Topical Articles and Photo Finish Pages, January 2020 to May 2023

I once subscribed to a relatively obscure but nevertheless wonderful magazine called WorldWide Coins published by Coin World (Amos Media). This now-defunct magazine existed briefly from 2007 to 2009 and delighted me with colorful coin photography and interesting articles about money from around the world. Later on, Coin World magazine started including a World Coins section, albeit only twenty or so pages rather than a whole magazine. Unfortunately since 2023, the World Coins section is now only about ten pages if that, and therefore I decided to cancel my magazine subscription.

Like many numismatists, I still learn about coins but mainly through websites and also printed literature. Intriguing former features of the World Coins section included “Topical” articles and “Photo Finish” pages. These features provided nice suggestions about world coin collecting possibilities. As you can read below, there were countless topics that can build an intriguing, informative collection. These topics were featured in Coin World magazines from January 2020 to May 2023.

2020 Coin Topics

January 2020 Topical: January 2020 Photo Finish: February 2020 Topical: February 2020 Photo Finish: March 2020 Topical: March 2020 Photo Finish: April 2020 Topical: April 2020 Photo Finish: May 2020 Topical: May 2020 Photo Finish: June 2020 Topical: June 2020 Photo Finish: July 2020 Topical: July 2020 Photo Finish: August 2020 Topical: August 2020 Photo Finish: September 2020 Topical: September 2020 Photo Finish: October 2020 Topical: October 2020 Photo Finish: November 2020 Topical: November 2020 Photo Finish: December 2020 Topical: December 2020 Photo Finish:

silver bullion coins dogs Pierre-Auguste Renoir fraction denominations cricket sport Sun Raffaello Santi (Raphael) epidemics and illnesses golf innovations and science Smartminting (high-relief coins) masks (“Hidden in Plain Sight”) fantasy coins heptagonal coins Vincent van Gogh Phrygian (liberty) caps nurses banks and financial institutions British musicians navies on circulation coins coats of arms and shields poppy Ludwig van Beethoven Gibraltar Christmas 50 penny coins

2021 Coin Topics

January 2021 Topical: January 2021 Photo Finish: February 2021 Topical: February 2021 Photo Finish: March 2021 Topical: March 2021 Photo Finish: April 2021 Topical: April 2021 Photo Finish: May 2021 Topical: May 2021 Photo Finish: June 2021 Topical: June 2021 Photo Finish: July 2021 Topical: July 2021 Photo Finish: August 2021 Topical: August 2021 Photo Finish: September 2021 Topical: September 2021 Photo Finish: October 2021 Topical: October 2021 Photo Finish: November 2021 Topical: November 2021 Photo Finish: December 2021 Topical: December 2021 Photo Finish:

women coronations, inaugurations, and other transitions Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox) Valentine’s Day coins minted in multiple years, inscribed with the same date/year lambs James Bond lions insects flowers French motifs non-circular coins Europa the goddess libraries sculptures sharks country name changes bridges pirates autumn small denominations triskeles Dante Alighieri Pearl Harbor

2022 Coin Topics

January 2022 Topical: January 2022 Photo Finish: February 2022 Topical: February 2022 Photo Finish: March 2022 Topical: March 2022 Photo Finish: April 2022 Topical: April 2022 Photo Finish: May 2022 Topical: May 2022 Photo Finish: June 2022 Topical: June 2022 Photo Finish: July 2022 Topical: July 2022 Photo Finish: August 2022 Topical: August 2022 Photo Finish: September 2022 Topical: September 2022 Photo Finish: October 2022 Topical: October 2022 Photo Finish: November 2022 Topical: November 2022 Photo Finish: December 2022 Topical: December 2022 Photo Finish:

flora petroleum Leaning Tower of Pisa’s 650th anniversary airplanes multiple languages on coins telephones Krugerrands doves and peace crowns on coins musical instruments French Mint and 20 years of the Euro D-Day (Normandy landings) Coinage of “far-flung nations” (remote island territories) historic heroes of American independence Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Princess Diana laborers and workers lighthouses copper collector coins corn (maize) tyrants crustaceans and mollusks King Tut/Tutankhamun/Tutankhamen hippos/hippopotami

2023 Coin Topics

January 2023 Topical: January 2023 Photo Finish: February 2023 Topical: February 2023 Photo Finish: March 2023 Topical: March 2023 Photo Finish: April 2023 Topical: April 2023 Photo Finish: May 2023 Topical: May 2023 Photo Finish: June to December 2023:

rabbits (Year of the Rabbit) clocks and calendars Knight (Saint George) and the Dragon Cupid computerized and digital-like coins basketball Earth from space (and other space themes) hot air balloons agriculture and food crops tennis magazine reduced – no more Topical or Photo Finish sections

Opening the Door to Architecture on Coins (Part 2)

This is a continuation post (part 2 of 2) about architecture and various buildings on coins. While there are plenty of coins focused on a specific structure already built, some coins depict the process and progress of construction. One of the UNITED STATES’ four Lincoln commemorative penny designs (year 2009) shows a moment almost a couple centuries ago when the national Capitol building project was not quite completed — a fitting notion that the USA, despite a few bricks being dismantled at times, is symbolically endeavoring to build a united and democratic home for its people.

On the FRANCE 10 Francs coin of the year 1979, the type of buildings being constructed are not obvious, but what is apparent is that this coin captures a busy scene in its stylishly cluttered design. As a bonus for a mapmaker like me, this coin’s obverse side features an artistic outline map of France. However, this map is not exactly geographically accurate — the coin designer rammed the island of Corsica into southeast France!

One subsection within all the possible numismatics related to architecture involves currency with bridges that usually have a national significance. In the Photo Finish feature (page 130) of the September 2021, volume 62, issue 3204 of Coin World magazine, Jeff Starck compiled several coin collecting possibilities that “bridge the gap between world coins and engineering.” The page contains a coin that looks familiar from the Part 1 post: a 50 Filler coin from HUNGARY with the Elisabeth Bridge. The Coin World example has the year 1978; the coin in my collection is dated 1991. The following are several other examples of modern world coins that display bridges. The year in parentheses is the date pictured on the coin in the magazine. As with other world coin themes, there are many other possibilities to discover. I wish you good luck in finding coins with architecture, bridges, or any other desired theme to build your collection!

● AUSTRALIA 1 Dollar (2007) – Sydney Harbor Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)

● COOK ISLANDS 10 Dollars (2007) – Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, USA — images and info at Numista (↗)

● JAPAN 1000 Yen (2014) – Uji Bridge near Kyoto — images and info at Numista (↗)

● MACAU 20 Patacas (1974) – Macau-Taipa Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)
Also known as Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge

● PALAU 5 Dollars (2013) – Golden Gate Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)

● PORTUGAL 20 Escudos (1966) silver (Numista ↗), 20 Escudos (1966) gold pattern (Numista ↗), and 2 Euro (2016) bimetallic (Numista ↗) – the same bridge in Lisbon but different name:
The 20 Escudos bridge is listed as Ponte Salazar (former name), translating as Salazar Bridge in English; the 2 Euro coin labels the bridge as Ponte 25 de Abril (current name), a.k.a. 25th of April Bridge

● SINGAPORE 5 Dollars (1982) – Benjamin Sheares Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)

Romania 100 Lei Coin (2017)

FRANCE is known for donating the fascinating Statue of Liberty to the UNITED STATES — and therefore includes this landmark on commemorative coins in years past. This year, a country at the other side of Europe allows this monument to grace a Proof (mirror-like) gold coin. ROMANIA's 90%-gold 100 Lei coin features Lady Liberty with plenty of eye-pleasing space around her.

The inscription around the rim reads Parteneriatui Strategic 🗽* Romania-Statele Unite ale Americii, which translates to the Romania-United States of America Strategic Partnership. In other words, this coin celebrates the beginning of more-cordial relations between Romania and the USA starting in 1997. 20 years ago, President Bill Clinton visited Romania and the Eastern European country became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Fittingly, these 250 coins (quite rare) were released on July 3rd, only one day before the USA's Independence Day. Opposite the Statue of Liberty on the 100 Lei coin is another architectural wonder, the doubled Cernavodă Bridge which hovers over the Danube river in southeastern Romania. "Floating" in the sky above the bridge is Romania's coat of arms. More information about this coin can be found in this Coin World post (↗), the credited source for the images and some info above.

* This is a computer symbol ("emoji") representing the Statue of Liberty. It might show up as an outlined rectangle, depending on your browser.

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!

Visit the GeoFact of the Day's Countries page for more information about these countries. This hyperlink (↗) conveniently opens the page in a new tab or window.

Festivals and Celebrations on Coins

A member of the Oklahoma Choctaw tribe, Rita Laws creates interesting articles about coins in her Going Topical column of the Coin World magazine and website. Her latest piece of numismatic journalism involves coins around the world commemorating festivals and annual celebrations (Coin World article link). This article features the following coins: CANADA 50 cents (2002), CHINA 10 yuan (2015), EGYPT 10 piastre (1978), LATVIA 1 lats (2008), MALAYSIA 1 ringgit (2013), POLAND 2 zloty (2004), SWITZERLAND 5 franc (1999), and UKRAINE 5 hryvnia (2005). Of course, delve deeper into more details with the original Coin World article linked above!

Early 2015 Coin News

Several important numismatic stories emerged in the months of January, February, March, and April 2015 with the release of interesting coin designs from several mints around the world. Below are several coin headlines from Coin World at coinworld.com. The bolded phrases are linked to Coin World's reports.

New Queen Portrait: The Royal Mint of the United Kingdom recently released the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. At only age 33, Jody Clark was the youngest coin designer that entered a competition to design the queen's newest portrait, and he won.

Small Emperor Appears Grand: Napoleon Bonaparte is known to be short in height, but he appears quite large on Ascension Island's 2015 silver 1 Crown coin. This coin is in proof condition and is struck with a high relief surface.

Small European Country Honors Abe Lincoln: San Marino is the latest country to honor a United States president on its coinage. The €10 silver proof coin honors the fact that 16th U.S. president Abraham Lincoln was given an honorary citizen from San Marino in 1861.

Tanzania Issues New 500 Shilling Coin: The Royal Mint wins a contract to create Tanzania's new 500 Shilling coin for the Bank of Tanzania, and this coin will replace the East African country's banknotes because of the coins' better durability.

New Spherical - Yep, Spherical - Coin: Coins are usually known to be flat, especially because striking a flat surface is much easier than a 3D one. However, the Mint of Poland recently designed a new sphere coin for Niue. The interesting-denominated coin ($7) features a 17th-century map from Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu.

Hungary Celebrates Central Bank's 90th Anniversary

In addition to the two previous Coin World stories mentioned on the Money and Geography Blog, Jeff Starck also reports that the Hungarian Mint of HUNGARY is commemorating the Magyar Nemzeti Bank's 90th anniversary with two collector coins, both of which have a 5,000 mintage limit. Uncirculated copper coins with a 2,000 Forint denomination will be minted, as well as 10,000 Forint silver coins. The sterling silver coins (92.5% silver) are in proof condition, meaning they are highly polished with a mirror-like surface. As a geographic note, Hungary is a Central European country to the east of Austria, northeast of Croatia and Slovenia, west of Romania, north of Serbia, south of Slovakia, and southwest of Ukraine (the Hungary-Ukraine border is ~100 kilometers long).

Lake Erie Commemorated on Canada Coin

Appealing to numismatists and cartographers alike, the third $20 proof coin in CANADA's Great Lakes Series features a colorful bathymetry map of Lake Erie. To find out more about this coin, which was released June 3rd, access this Coin World article written by senior staff writer Jeff Starck.

New Niue Coin with Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo Bear!

Are you a Yogi Bear and/or Boo-Boo Bear fan? If so, and even if you are not necessarily a numismatist (currency collector), the island territory NIUE issued a coin for you! Located in the South Pacific Ocean to the south of Samoa and east of Fiji and Tonga, Niue is a self-governing territory belonging to New Zealand.
For more information about the new $1 silver, colorized proof coin featuring Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo, access this Coin World article!