Monday Minting News from around the Globe, 15 Jul 2024
The MDC 2025 registration is now open, with discounts for MDA members, and sponsorship opportunities available.
Before we start our global travels looking at what is going on across the minting world, let’s pause for a moment to congratulate the city of Paris for staging an incredible Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games! Despite the inclement weather, it was a perfect way to commence this magnificent event, showcasing some of the most iconic architecture including the iconic Monnaie de Paris positioned by the Seine. I can see that many Mints have found creative ways to support their respective national teams at the Games.
To distract us from the sports overload, the ANA World’s Fair of Money is of course being held in Chicago from 6 – 10 August. Many MDA members will be in attendance, so I have included the most up to date membership list below. A special welcome to our newest members from Arrandene MFG – thanks to Simon and his great team for joining the growing community that is the MDA.
Arrandene MFG (Associate) Austrian Mint Bavarian State Mint Croatian Mint
Czech Mint Japan Mint Kazakhstan Mint KOMSCO Mincovna Kremnica
Modern Numismatics International (Associate) Monnaie de Paris Perth Mint (Associate)
Portuguese Mint Royal Australian Mint Royal Canadian Mint The Royal Mint
Royal Spanish Mint Schuler Group (Associate) South African Mint
State Mint of Baden-Wuerttemberg Sunshine Minting Inc. (Associate) Swiss Mint
Tower Mint (Associate) United States Mint
For those attending ANA, I trust that you will have a productive time and are able to make the most of this fantastic event. Travel safely!
Mark
From Croatia …
On 24 July, the Croatian Mint announced the continuation of a series of coins looking at Croation Heritage, in gold and silver. The new issue is dedicated to the small and mystical island of Susak. This is a beautiful design, with the colours featuring on the traditional costume of Susak women being very striking to the eye. New collector piece is dedicated to the island of Susak | Croatian Mint
From the USA …
The US Mint have indeed been busy over the last two weeks. On July 17, accompanied by representatives from the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, the US Mint unveiled the designs for the 2025 US Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program in Virginia. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Designs Unveiling | U.S. Mint (usmint.gov) The following week the US Mint announced the release of the 2024 American Innovation Series $1 coin proof set, which goes on sale today (July 30). 2024 American Innovation $1 Coin Proof Set | U.S. Mint (usmint.gov)
From Japan …
The Japan Mint announced the release of the Gold medal – Four Seasons Collection (Summer) for which the application period commenced on Tuesday 23 July. Product Details (Pure Gold Medal – Four Seasons – Collection (Summer)) (mint.go.jp)
From France …
It is a surprise to nobody that our friends from France are consumed by the biggest show on the planet! Every day during the Olympics and Paralympics we will see the beautiful Olympic medals designed and created by Monnaie de Paris. To complement this, Monnaie de Paris is staging an exhibition titled: Gold, Silver, Bronze. A history of the Olympic medal. Exposition – D’or, d’argent, de bronze. Une histoire de la médaille olympique (monnaiedeparis.fr)
From Korea …
The Korean Mint shared a fascinating article providing insight into a recent targeted recruitment designed to attract additional young people to the organisation. The CEO Sung Chang-hoon personally welcomed all 46 new employees, including 31 youth interns. The personal approach and accessibility demonstrated here is second to none! Press Release < Newsroom < Korea Mint (komsco.com)
From Switzerland …
The Swiss Mint has announced the launch of a new gold coin celebrating 200 years of the Swiss Shooting Sports Federation – perfect timing to coincide with the Paris Olympics! This coin goes on sale on 16 August so keep an eye out for it. Gold coin “200 years Swiss Shooting Sports Federation” (swissmint.ch)
From Canada …
Another award for the RCM, with their Mint tours at Ottawa and Winnipeg being recognised by Tripadvisor as being in the top 10% of listings from around the world! The RCM turned the page on some literary locations featured in L.M. Montgomery’s famous novel, Anne of Green Gables. Literary Landmarks: 8 P.E.I. Places that Inspired L. M. Montgomery’s Writing | The Royal Canadian Mint
From Spain …
FNMT reinforced their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals by publishing a summary of their objectives – terrific to see such transparency and proactive action being taken by the Spaniards. Further to the huge Euro 2024 championship win by the senior men’s football team, we may need to keep our eye out for something special to commemorate the occasion for local fans …
From the UK …
In July, the Royal Mint announced the two charities that they would be supporting for the coming year: 2wish and Ty Hafan. TRM welcomed CEO of 2wish, Rhian Manning MBE, to deliver an impactful session to employees. Great to see TRM being so progressive in supporting such worthwhile community-based causes that are making a huge difference to people’s lives. (6) The Royal Mint: Posts | LinkedIn TRM also hosted athletes from Team GB to strike their own Team GB Olympic and Paralympic 50ps prior to heading over to Paris to compete for gold!
From Australia …
The Royal Australian Mint are holding an online ballot through their release partner EQL for a 2024 $1 Uncirculated Coin celebrating a Century of Cobb & Co’s Last Coach Passenger Service. The ballot opens on 31 July for 24 hours, with winners drawn on 1 August. New Release August 2024 – Cobb & Co’s Last Coach Passenger Service | Royal Australian Mint (ramint.gov.au)
The Perth Mint hosted an amazing event for NAIDOC week; an Aboriginal painting workshop conducted by the renowned Beverly Egan. NAIDOC week is held across Australia and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I highly recommend that you check this out. (5) Gold Corporation – The Perth Mint: Posts | LinkedIn Perth also shared some terrific insights into why gold makes sense for self-managed superannuation portfolios. Adding gold to superannuation (perthmint.com)
Other industry news in brief:
- In a thought-provoking interview, veteran international journalist Armen Georgian interviews Cash Essentials’ Guillaume Lepecq about the possibility of a dystopian cashless society [podcast] Where is our World Heading with the Cashless Society? – Cash Essentials
- It would be remiss of me to not link a story about the outage caused by the CrowdStrike update, reminding much of the planet that cash is still a critical part of the global payment system! Cash Matter share their thoughts here Cash to the Rescue in Global IT Outage (cashmatters.org)
- A reminder that The Coin Conference is taking registrations. Head to Lisbon from 28 – 30 October to join Central Banks, Mints, suppliers, distributors, recyclers and others within the coin ecosystem to learn, exchange knowledge and make new connections The Coin Conference