Posts Tagged ‘Silver Coins’
The Easter coins that trace their history back to the time of Jesus…
It’s a tradition that dates back to the time of the Bible. During the Last Supper, Jesus famously washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of his humility, and it was this religious event that inspired an Easter tradition which takes place to this day.
Since the thirteenth century, members of the Royal Family have followed Jesus’ example, giving gifts to the poor and washing their feet on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. By the eighteenth century, the act of washing feet was discontinued and the accompanying gifts were replaced by a money allowance, known as Maundy money.
And it was this change that created one of the most interesting of all the historic Royal Mint releases.
The first Maundy money ceremony took place in the reign of Charles II, when the King gave people undated hammered coins in 1662. The tradition has continued for over 350 years and today’s recipients of Royal Maundy are elderly men and women, chosen because of the Christian service they have given to the Church and the community.
At the ceremony, the monarch hands each recipient two small leather string purses. A red purse contains ordinary coins, while a white one contains the extremely special silver Maundy coins, amounting to the same number of pence as the years of the sovereign’s age.
Its deeply historical roots are what makes Maundy Money a rare highlight in any classic coin collection. But because of their extremely limited mintage and the fact they have never been issued into general circulation, they now stand as a one of the most highly sought after Easter gifts in the world!
What goes in to developing not one but THREE brand new portraits…
It’s surprising, in this new digital age, just how ‘hands-on’ designing a coin is. In fact, it’s very much the job of a master craftsman.
Never was this more evident than when the Isle of Man Treasury chose to mark the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria with three new coins, each with a brand new portrait.
The man they turned to was renowned sculptor Luigi Badia and here’s the remarkable process of how these coins were developed.
First Stage – Pencil designs
Like most products across all industries, designing a coin starts with pencil sketches. These are then amended, potentially many times, until a final sketch is produced and approved.
Second Stage – Plaster modelling
The second stage is arguably the most visually stunning. The sculptor, Luigi Badia in this case, will turn their sketches into a 3D ‘Plaster’ design. The skill involved in this process is really very impressive as every tiny detail must be modelled.
The plaster is far larger than the actual coin size to allow for this detail to be captured. The design will be resized in the next step of the process.
Third Stage – Digital Modelling
It’s during this stage where technology has certainly helped the design process. The 3D ‘Plaster’ designs are scanned and a digital file, called a greyscale, is created.
An engraving machine then uses this file to cut the design into a piece of steel that’s the actual size of the final coin. This will then be used to make the dies that will actually strike the coins.
Fourth Stage – Coin Striking
This final stage is when the physical coin comes to life. The specially prepared die is used to ‘strike’ the design onto a metal ‘blank’. The metal used for the blank can vary widely, from cupro-nickel to silver and gold.
Only once the mint is perfectly happy with the quality of the struck coins will they be issued.
The Queen Victoria Silver Antique £5 Set
This set is the only way to own all three of these stunning, specially commissioned Antique Silver £5 Coins.
Just 495 of these stunning sets are available worldwide and exclusive to The Westminster Collection.
You can secure yours today for a down payment of just £54 >>
Why the Australian Kangaroo is one of the most internationally respected coins on the market…
The ‘Kangaroo’
When it comes to identifying the very finest quality silver coins, few, if any, can match an Australian ‘Kangaroo’. Precision made, eye-catching and struck from 999/1000 Pure Silver, they’re usually snapped up on sight. And now three of the most exciting new issues have been brought together in an exclusive limited edition set…
Why has the Kangaroo become such an important design?
When the famous marsupial is engraved onto an Australian legal tender coin it becomes a hallmark of quality. Rather like the British Sovereign is a benchmark for gold coins, the Kangaroo signifies that your coin is from a trusted source and has been produced to an exceptional standard.
Because of this, the ‘Kangaroo’ has such an international following, and has become one of the most prominent and internationally respected names on the market. Collectors worldwide buy these Australian coins for their quality, design and craftsmanship.
The 2017 Australian Silver Kangaroo Numismatic Set
Three unique finishes brought together in one exclusive limited edition set
Now, three of the most exciting examples of the ‘Kangaroo’ you can buy have been brought together in one limited edition set.
The 2017 Australian Kangaroo Numismatic Set brings together the traditional bullion silver coin with the extremely sought-after high relief proof issue and the unusual gilded proof edition. Each coin boasts a full ounce of fine silver and demonstrate some of the finest minting techniques in the market.
Here’s a bit more about what makes each coin in the set so special:
The Silver Bullion Kangaroo
The first coin in the set is the traditional bullion coin, struck by The Perth Mint to a frosted finish, it contrasts superbly with the reflective and raised parts of the design, giving an unusual three tone relief.
The Silver Proof High Relief Kangaroo
Then second coin is The Perth Mint’s high-relief proof finish $1 coin. This remarkable technique strikes the design onto a concave blank, allowing for the engraving to stand tall – more like a sculpture than a coin.
The Silver Proof Gilded Kangaroo
The final coin is the stunning gilded silver proof coin that features the Australian kangaroo carefully picked out in brilliant 24 carat gold.
All three coins share a similar heritage, but demonstrate distinctive approaches to coin design.
If you’re interested…
You can be one of just 250 collectors to own The Australian Kangaroo Set.
The coins will come complete in a Deluxe Wooden Presentation Case, ready to display, with a Certificate of Authenticity, attesting to its precious metal content and edition limit.
The 2017 Australian Silver Kangaroo Numismatic Set
Each is individually encapsulated, perfect to keep them in pristine condition for your future generations to enjoy and appreciate. These coins are extremely popular, and with an edition limit of just 250, stock won’t last for long.