Monday Minting News from around the Globe, 30 Jul 2024
The global minting world is bustling with exciting releases, including Croatia's heritage coins, the US Mint's Marine Corps anniversary, and France's Olympic medal exhibition.
From South Africa …
In exciting news for the entire industry, last week it was announced that registration is open for MDC 2025 in Cape Town from 27 – 29 April! All MDA members are eligible for significant discounts on the registration fee and a further early-bird discount applies for registrations prior to 26 January, 2025. There are also opportunities for sponsorship, with a sponsorship brochure detailing the benefits of sponsorship for potential corporate partners. Get in early to register for the largest minting conference of 2025 Mint Directors Conference 2025 |
From the Czech Republic …
We learn this month about an old Czech tradition of giving a newborn baby a golden ducat in the cradle. This tradition is said to bring prosperity and be a good luck charm for the new arrival. Our Czech friends offer a toy Czech lion when parent-to-be order their gold ducats from the Czech Mint Two gifts in the cradle | Czech Mint (ceskamincovna.cz)
From Croatia …
It was recently announced that on 2 July, the Croatian National Bank would release into circulation the new commemorative 2-euro coin from the Croatian Mint. As part of the Croatian Cities series, the new coin celebrates The Old Town of Varazdin which was formerly featured on the reverse side of the 5-kuna banknote The Croatian National Bank is issuing a commemorative 2 euro circulation coin | Croatian Mint
From Korea …
Our friends at KOMSCO have been very busy during the first half of July – but we will focus on a sporting theme for this update! The Mint launched the Paris Olympics Team Korea Cheering Gold Card in cooperation with the Korean Sports Association to support the national athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Each product combines a profile picture of a national athlete with a 1g gold round playfully depicting the round as a gold medal hanging around the neck of the athletes! Press Release < Newsroom < Korea Mint (komsco.com) In other sporting news, congratulations to the Mint Wrestling team that won the team title at the KBS National Wrestling Tournament – an amazing achievement!
From the USA …
In SUPER news for the US Mint and its vast customer base, on 10 July the Mint announced a historic collaboration with Warner Bros. to launch a new collectible coin and medal series celebrating comic book characters and art. Yes – we are going to see super-coins from the US Mint! Commencing on 10 July, the US Mint has invited a public vote to help decide which heroes will join Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman on the remaining six designs (3 each in 2026 and 2027). My vote is for Green Arrow for the record Mint Collaboration with Warner Bros, DC Super Heroes | U.S. Mint (usmint.gov)
From Portugal …
Continuing with the sporting theme, INCM hosted the 4th Annual INCM Imprensa Nacional – Casa da Moeda race! The 10km race put participants to the test, with arguably the most impressive performance being from Olympic marathon champion Rosa Mota who won the women’s sector. A wonderful initiative from INCM Athletics from 05 Jul 2024 – RTP Play – RTP INCM also welcomed athletes representing Portugal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to visit the factory, infecting everyone with excitement and Olympic spirit!
From Japan …
In a creative initiative from the Japan Mint, July 20 is the launch of a new special exhibition titled ‘Take Me Into the World of Coins!’ which introduces coins that were used for various purposes OTHER than payment – such as talismans & charms. A perfect escape for families during the summer holidays Mint : Mint Museum Special Exhibition “Introducing the World of Coins!” (July 3, 2024)
From France …
On 4 July, Monnaie de Paris released three (3) new coins featuring a design inspired by the commemorative medals awarded for The Battle of Cowpens, which took place on 17 January 1781. This military success ultimately paved the way for the American Declaration of Independence. Learn more about the beautiful 20€, 25€ and 250€ coins here United States independence – Cowpens Battle (monnaiedeparis.fr)
From Germany …
Congratulations to the Schuler Group, who took home second place at the Andritz Innovation Awards for their Laser Blanking Line (LBL) earlier this month.
From Canada …
The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is on the road during July, connecting with numismatists across the nation to enable them to add special circulation coins to their collections. The new 2024 $1 Commemorative Circulation Coin – 150th Anniversary of the Birth of L. M. Montgomery will be in high demand. Events | The Royal Canadian Mint A belated congratulations to the RCM for being announced at #6 of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada – a great achievement!
From Spain …
Mass celebrations in Spain I would think! Congratulations to Spain on a huge Sunday evening, with the Spanish national football team winning the European Championship and Carlos Alcaraz taking home the Wimbledon title in convincing fashion. There might be some pressure on the Mint to celebrate such a significant evening in Spanish sporting culture!
From the UK …
As a preview of a forthcoming release, the Royal Mint (TRM) educates us on the tradition and history of the Great Seals of the Realm Great Seals of the Realm – An Unbroken Tradition | The Royal Mint TRM has teased an upcoming release of a remastered edition of a golden seal created for a notorious Tudor monarch The Great Seals | The Royal Mint
From Australia …
The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) announced that time is almost up for their temporary stay located at the Canberra Museum & Gallery. The last day to visit the RAM’s exhibition is 31 July and in exciting news, the RAM will re-open its doors to the public at its iconic Deakin HQ on 12 August. This will be the first opportunity for the public to enjoy a new tourism, educational and retail experience in a new immersive setting. The Mint’s Final Weeks at the Canberra Museum & Gallery | Royal Australian Mint (ramint.gov.au)
Perth Mint reported their precious metal sales for June, with 22,520 troy ounces of gold and 491,946 oz of silver sold. Despite continued soft demand across the general precious metals landscape, Perth were happy with the strong response to the release of the Australian Sovereign Proof Coin, celebrating Perth Mint’s 125th anniversary. Sovereign sales pleasing despite environment (perthmint.com)
Other industry news in brief:
- Cash Essentials takes a light-hearted look at the cultural value of cash through the lens of musicians, creating a Cash Playlist The Cash Play List – Cash Essentials
- 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