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How a political blunder led to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall is perhaps the most iconic symbol of the Cold War. A tall concrete barricade that divided the citizens of Germany for almost three decades. Numerous people risked their lives to cross the wall, whether digging tunnels underneath, flying over in a hot air balloon, or even driving cars under checkpoint barriers! But in 1989 that all changed when the world watched a press conference that all went a bit wrong…
A press conference that went wrong
For many months throughout 1989, there was mounting pressure on the government to adjust the restrictions around the boarder wall in Berlin. On the evening of November 9th 1989, the East German Party leader held a press conference announcing some loosening of the restrictions. But he hadn’t been briefed properly.
Gunter Schabowski broadcast the relaxing of some of the travel laws, but when asked when the freedom of movement would happen, he simply shrugged his shoulders, glanced at his notes, and said “right away.”
And that was it. A single moment, the most iconic in recent history, caused by an accident.
After almost 30 years of physical separation, crowds of people swarmed to the Berlin Wall checkpoints in anticipation of reuniting with loved ones and passing into the West freely.
Because of the confusion, the East German border guards had not been warned and were utterly overwhelmed by the crowds. At first they were told to stamp passports with symbols that effectively revoked East German citizenship, but as the crowds grew larger it became clear that unless lethal force was used, that the wall was no longer impassable. And no one was willing to give that order.
The Night the wall fell
That evening saw celebrations throughout Berlin, with people climbing the wall and taking pickaxes and hammers to break it apart and pull it down. Pieces and fragments of the wall were chipped away, with many pocketing pieces as souvenirs.
Families and loved ones reunited, as those from East Berlin were greeted with flowers and food. After years with limited contact, media censorship and restrictions, the people of Berlin were free to travel as and where they wanted.
The official reunification
Almost a year later, on 3rd October 1990, the German flag was raised over the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. It symbolised the moment at which the two German countries were finally reunified as the unification treaty became official.
Every year the German Day of Unity is celebrated throughout the country, with fireworks, meals, concerts speeches, and of course commemoratives. This year marks the 30th anniversary, and despite the coronavirus restrictions around the world, the people of Germany will still be celebrating and remembering the moment the country was untied again.
If you’re interested…
Today you can commemorate the historic moment in which Germany was brought together again by owning THREE commemorative coins alongside an original piece of the Berlin Wall in the Reunification of Germany Collection.
This collection has a tiny edition limit of JUST 200. Considering the anniversary this year, and the popularity of difficult to source one-off historic products like this, the edition limit is expected to sell out completely.
Introducing the BRAND NEW Winnie the Pooh 50p Coin Range
The Royal Mint has just authorised for release 3 BRAND NEW UK 50ps featuring characters from the beloved children’s book Winnie the Pooh, created by A.A. Milne.
This is the first time these characters have featured on a UK coin, and are the first coins in a classic 9-coin collection that will be released over 3 years.
The coins feature a nostalgic design by The Walt Disney Company that’s reminiscent of the classic illustrations by E.H. Shepard which feature in the novels, and as such are sure to be adored by fans and collectors of all ages.
Take a look below at the full range available:
2020 UK CERTIFIED BU 50p
This is your chance to be ahead of the crowd and secure your 2020 Winnie the Pooh 50ps in superior Brilliant Uncirculated condition for just £4.50 (+p&p) each.
Each coin will come protectively encapsulated in Official Change Checker packaging to ensure that their superior quality is preserved forever.
Click here to order the UK 2020 Winnie the Pooh CERTIFIED BU 50p now >>
Click here to order the UK 2020 Christopher Robin CERTIFIED BU 50p now >>
Click here to order the UK 2020 Piglet CERTIFIED BU 50p now >>
Official Royal Mint Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Pack
Each coin has been struck to Brilliant Uncirculated quality, so you know they will be free from any of the marks or blemishes you would find on coins in your change. They each come beautifully presented in bespoke packaging from The Royal Mint that is Winnie the Pooh themed, and are each available at The Royal Mint issue price of JUST £10 (+p&p).
Click here to order the UK 2020 Winnie the Pooh BU Pack 50p now >>
Click here to order the UK 2020 Christopher Robin BU Pack 50p now >>
Click here to order the UK 2020 Piglet BU Pack 50p now >>
Limited Edition UK 2020 Silver Proof 50p
Struck from .925 Silver to a pristine Proof finish, JUST 18,000 of each of these Silver Proof 50ps will ever be available worldwide. This small number of coins is sure to sell-out quickly. Especially as the edition limit is significantly LESS than the 25,000 edition limit of the SOLD OUT Gruffalo Silver Proof 50p.
Each coin is available today for The Royal Mint’s official issue price of ONLY £67.50 (+p&p).
Click here to order the UK 2020 Winnie the Pooh Silver Proof 50p now >>
Click here to order the UK 2020 Christopher Robin Silver Proof 50p now >>
Click here to order the UK 2020 Piglet Silver Proof 50p now >>
Each new 50p is also available in an extremely limited Gold Proof edition. However, we have already SOLD-OUT of our full allocation of the UK 2020 Winnie the Pooh Gold Proof 50p Coin and now only limited numbers remain of the Christopher Robin and Piglet Gold Proof 50p coins. These are still available to pre-order here, but you must act now whilst stocks last.
Don’t miss out on owning the new UK Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and Piglet 50p coins. Click here to view the full range now >>
A complete SELL-OUT within hours! Introducing the latest innovative coin from the Royal Canadian Mint…
Innovation is nothing new to The Royal Canadian Mint. Whether it be a shape, size or never before-seen technology, the Mint are always looking for ways to push the limits on what can be achieved next in the minting world.
And, over the last few years, the results have been some of the world’s most stunning, technologically advanced coins, with sell-outs almost guaranteed.
So, you can imagine the excitement of collectors from all over the world when the latest interactive coin from Royal Canadian Mint was released earlier this month…
The Hummingbird and Bloom 5oz Pure Silver Coin
This stunning BRAND NEW release features something that has been highly revered by collectors since it was first seen back in 2018…
But when is a coin not just coin? When it’s also an interactive Bloom with a moving Hummingbird – miniaturised of course!
The cutting edge gyroscopic technology used to bring this coin to life truly is outstanding as it has allowed the coin to become interactive. Whilst the coin is encapsulated inside its protective case, the Hummingbird elegantly hovers around a gorgeous Zinnia Bloom, much like it does in the wild.
Unfortunately, images can only go some way towards showing the glory of this coin, so I ask you, in fact I implore you, to please take some time to look at the below video to truly appreciate its beauty:
It is so visually impressive that words will never be able to do it justice. Nothing can compare to holding the coin struck from a full 5oz of Fine Silver in your hand and feeling the groundbreaking gyroscopic technology elegantly move a 24ct Gold-plated Hummingbird around a Rose-gold Zinnia.
It is this bloom that is even more impressive than the Royal Canadian Mints predecessors – utilizing 24ct Rose-Gold to show off the Zinnia’s tear-drop petals and contrast the Proof Silver base that features even more blooms.
In 2018, the first coin to use this technology was released, and to say it was popular would be an understatement. Featuring a Bumblebee [Link to Bumble Bee blog ‘Coin of 2018’] hovering around a flower, it was voted Collector’s Gallery favourite coin of 2018. The coin was a world FIRST and completely SOLD-OUT within a matter of weeks at the Mint. And the same can be said for the second coin in the series, the Christmas Tree and Train,[Link to blog] which featured a classic train running the circumference of a Christmas Tree but completely SOLD-OUT before the official release date..
Not only are these sell-outs attributed to the quality, craftsmanship and uniqueness of these coins, but also to the extremely low edition limits. The BRAND NEW Hummingbird and Bloom interactive coins are strictly limited to just 1,250 collectors worldwide. When you consider the sell-out successes of the previous coins and the collectors who will want to be at the forefront in owning this enchanting new coin, demand has already proven to exceed availability.
The SOLD OUT Tree and Train coin 
The SOLD OUT Bee and Bloom Coin
This Brand New Hummingbird and Bloom Silver 5oz Coin magnificently merges art and technology; engraving and casting; silver and gold. You really do need to see it first hand to fully appreciate all the stand-out features. It’s an outstanding work of art that is visually spectacular, words will never be able to do it justice.
It is safe to say, we don’t expect these coins to be around for much longer. The coins completely SOLD OUT at the mint within hours of release and we have JUST 5 coins remaining.
If you’re interested…