World Coin Articles

By GOVMINTStan Witten is a distinguished artist and coin designer known for his contributions to Canadian numismatics. As an engraver at the Royal Canadian Mint, Witten played a key role in crafting some of Canada’s most celebrated coins as he blended his exceptional artistic ability with technical precision. Learn more about Stan Witten’s legacy, including his notable coin designs and their lasting impact on collectible coinage.Who Is Stan Witten? Stan Witten began his career as a coin artist under the direction of Dutch artist John Vanderbrink. He developed his skills through formal training in engraving techniques before starting an apprenticeship program with the Royal Canadian Mint in 1990, which he completed in 1994. He would go on to become a Senior Engraver for the Mint where he has had a long and illustrious career.  The primary inspirations for Witten’s designs stem from Canada’s history, culture, and natural scenery. Throughout his career, he has designed…

By GovMint: If you’re curious to learn more about the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including its history, features, and how you and other coin enthusiasts can add it to your collection.Table of Contents What Are Silver Maple Leaf Coins? Where Are Silver Maple Leaf Coins Minted? What Is the Purity of a Canadian Maple Leaf? Features and Designs of the Silver Maple Leaf Coin What Are Privy Marks? How Can You Tell if a Silver Maple Leaf Coin Is Real? Bullion Silver Maple Leaf Coins Collectible Silver Maple Leaf Coins How Does the Silver Maple Leaf Coin Compare to Other Popular Silver Coins? Silver Maple Leaf Coin Editions Are Silver Maple Leafs Legal Tender? Where to Buy Silver Maple Leaf Coins Build Your Coin Collection with GovMintWhat Are Silver Maple Leaf Coins? Silver Maple Leafs are popular one-ounce Canadian silver coins that first appeared in 1988. They debuted following the success…

By GovMintGeorge Washington’s presidency, from 1789 to 1797, was foundational in shaping the United States. Washington’s leadership was marked by his commitment to national unity; he understood the delicate balance between federal and state powers and sought to foster cooperation among diverse political factions. His establishment of a cabinet underscored the value of collaborative governance. Washington also faced significant challenges, including the Whiskey Rebellion, which he managed to effectively assert federal authority while promoting civil order.Washington refused to have himself depicted on coins, considering the notion "monarchical." The passing of George Washington in 1799 elicited a wave of heartfelt tributes and public ceremonies. Adamant during his presidency that his image should not appear on circulating U.S. coinage (so he didn’t appear as a king), mourners created the funeral medal with his likeness on it as a tribute instead. The medal was worn around the…

By GovMintIt's not every day that a historic collaboration between the renowned Paris Mint and its Chief Engraver, Joaquin Jimenez, with American numismatic legend John Mercanti, rolls off the presses.. Yet that's precisely what happened in 2024.   Learn more about this historic release below!A Historic, First-Ever Collaboration! The collaboration between Mercanti, the Paris Mint, and its chief Engraver, Joaquin Jimenez, is the first time that the Paris Mint has ever collaborated with a former U.S. Mint designer. Mercanti designed the reverse "Sower" side and Jimenez designed the obverse "Liberty" side to commemorate each nation's national symbol of Liberty on a series of limited-edition Gold and Silver High Relief Proofs. The Famous French Sower Design: The Inspiration for Walking Liberty You may not know who Louis Oscar Roty is, but you're likely to recognize the most famous design created by this talented French medalist. Roty was the designer behind La Semeuse—The Sower, a…

By GovMintDual-dated 1933/1934 Vatican City Jubilee gold coins are among the most pivotal Christian coins issued in the 20th century. Today we’ll be discussing specimens that originate from a spectacular hoard of over 1,000 European gold coins, known as the Chamberlain Gold Reserve. Learn more about this fascinating vintage issue from Vatican City, below!The Center of Catholicism: Vatican City The Vatican City State is a sovereign country located in Rome, Italy. It was established as an independent state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty that was signed by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and the Pope Pius XI that year.  To lay the groundwork for this new independence, the Pope approved the Vatican’s first gold coins series the same year. It was denominated as 100 Lire and featured the Pope’s image on the obverse and a handsome, full-body depiction of Jesus on the reverse. Vatican City is only about 121 acres and, as of 2023, had a population of around 764, making it the…

By GovMint:Table of Contents What is the American Numismatic Association (ANA)? Services Provided by the ANA Annual Coin Shows Hosted By the ANA Spotlight on the 2024 World's Fair of Money Show  GovMint's Presence at the 2024 World's Fair of Money Show  Shop GovMint's ANA Assortment OnlineThe hobby of coin collecting is vast and fascinating, capturing the interest of enthusiasts from all walks of life. At the heart of this vibrant community stands the American Numismatic Association (ANA), an organization dedicated to educating and assisting both novice and experienced collectors. This article will discuss the history and mission of the ANA, explore its services, and highlight its major coin shows, focusing on the upcoming 2024 World's Fair of Money® show that will be held in  Rosemont, IL. from August 6th to August 10th. Additionally, we'll share exciting details about GovMint's presence at this event and how you can shop our 2024 World's Fair of Money ANA assortment…

By GovMint: Welcome to our guide! We’ll cover everything you need to know about the South African Mint, including its history, the coins they’ve produced, collaborations and partnerships, and coin-collecting tips.Table of Contents The History of the South African Mint What Does the South African Mint Do? What Coins Are Minted in South Africa? Does South Africa Still Mint Krugerrands? Are Krugerrands Illegal to Own in the US? Collaborations and Partnerships Collecting South African Coins How to Start Collecting South African Coins How to Preserve and Store South African Coins What to Avoid When Collecting South African Coins Where to Buy South African Coins The History of the South African Mint Established in 1892, the South African Mint has a long and rich history spanning over 130 years. Paul Kruger, South Africa’s then-president, founded the mint in response to the Witswaterand gold rush and to help address the country’s coin shortage. Establishing a mint…

By GovMint:Minting over 3 billion coins and coin blanks a year, The Royal Mint produces money of all sizes, denominations, and mintages. With their coin press machines capable of minting up to 100 commemorative coins an hour, everything must function perfectly to create consistent quality. The Royal Mint has proven its dedication to craftsmanship and uniformity by participating in the Trial of the Pyx, a rigorous examination of randomly selected coins in each denomination to ensure all minting standards are met. The long-held Pyx trial occurs annually and takes up to three months from start to final verdict. Once all the coins have been reviewed, the trial's verdict is read aloud to gathered officials, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Deputy Master of The Royal Mint. With more than 700 years of Pyx trials, this process is not only held in high national regard but also steeped in rich history. Discover more about the Trial of the Pyx,  the pyx meaning, and how this…

By GovMint: The Royal Mint boasts a history spanning centuries and stands as one of the oldest mints in the world that still produces coins for circulation and collecting to this day. This guide will explain everything you need to know about The Royal Mint, some of its most popular coins series, and more!Table of Contents The History of The Royal Mint What Does The Royal Mint Do? Does The Royal Mint Make Coins for Other Countries? What Types of Coins Does The Royal Mint Create? Iconic Royal Mint Coin Designs Examples of The Royal Mint Coins Can You Buy Directly From The Royal Mint? Where to Buy Collectible Coins What Is The Royal Mint?: The History of The Royal Mint With over 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint (also known as the British Royal Mint) is one of the oldest mints in the world as it traces its origins to the end of the second century BC in Britain. Initially, coins were produced through a casting method before gradually transitioning to hand striking over…

China’s Moon Festival Panda® series is an exquisite collection of medals that began in 2015. Celebrating China’s Moon Festival (also known as Mid-Autumn Festival), these issues feature the beloved Chinese panda in designs that incorporate elements symbolizing the festival, such as the full moon and a bountiful harvest. Struck with meticulous craftsmanship and often issued with limited mintages, the Moon Festival Panda series is cherished by collectors worldwide for the series’ beauty, cultural significance, and collectibility. Learn more about the Moon Festival Panda series here at GovMint!History of China’s Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a longstanding Chinese tradition with roots stretching back over 3,000 years to the Zhou Dynasty, where it began with emperors worshipping the moon. Evolving through the ages, it achieved prominence as a public celebration in the Song Dynasty and today stands as China’s…