Contest for Design of New Israel Banknotes

(Israelnationalnews.com) The Bank of Israel has announced a competition for the design of the new series of banknotes.

The Bank of Israel says it invites suitable candidates to take part in a competitive proceeding for the selection of a designer for a new series of State of Israel banknotes.

It was announced several months ago that the current series of State of Israel banknotes was to be replaced. Currently bearing the likenesses of the late Prime Minister Moshe Sharett, Nobel Literature Prizewinner Shmuel Yosef Agnon, and former Presidents Yitzchak Ben-Tzvi and Zalman Shazar, the new notes will feature writers Rachel the Poetess, Leah Goldberg, Sha’ul Tchernichovsky and Natan Alterman.

The replacement of banknotes once every 12–15 years is an accepted practice in advanced economies, the Bank of Israel states, occasioned mainly by the aging of the security features on the banknotes and the development of more advanced anti- counterfeit means.

The banknotes in circulation today - the Second Series of the New Israel Shekel, issued in 1999 - will be replaced by redesigned banknotes with advanced security features. The denominations will not change, and will remain NIS 20, 50, 100, and 200.

The Public Committee for the Planning of Banknotes and Coins will serve as competition referee, on behalf of the Governor of the Bank of Israel, for the choice of design and designer of the series among the design works that reach the final stage of the proceeding. The Committee will examine the design works from the standpoints of aesthetics, artistic quality, and suitability for successful performance as banknotes.

Monetary prizes will be offered to the top three design works, with 150,000, 100,000 and 50,000 shekels going to the top three finishers, respectively.

Only those individuals who satisfy all of the following requirements may take part in the proceeding:

• A citizen or resident of Israel;
• Holder of a certificate attesting to the completion of higher studies in design and graphics and at least five years’ proven experience in graphic design work, or alternatively, at least 10 years’ proven experience in graphic design work;
•  Strong proficiency in Hebrew and English;
•  Absence of conviction and/or of investigation regarding an offense that carries moral turpitude, except where the limitations clause under the Criminal Record and Penitence Regulations Law, 1981, applies, and/or the absence of any current legal proceeding or investigation against the candidate that is defined as material in the Bank’s exclusive judgment;
•  Bookkeeping certification.

The deadline for the tendering of bids is two months from now, July 17, 2011, at 14:00. Bids may be tendered Sunday–Thursday mornings at the Bank of Israel in Jerusalem or at the Bank of Israel branch in Tel Aviv.

Should you require any supplies to store and protect your banknote or currency collection www.boscastlesupplies.com has everything you need from banknote sleeves to pages to albums - just click here for more information.

Now Available - Lighthouse Vista Euro Coin Albums Volumes 1-2

VISTA Euro Coin Album volume 1 and volume 2 "Old and New Members"        

Both EURO coin album for European countries.

Classic binder in bookbinder's quality. Leatherette cover with bold imprints on cover and spine (in protective box).
Contents: 6 Euro coin-sheets each, made of extra heavy carton with clear-view pockets and sliding inserts in hard PVC.

Vol1 for initial 12 EURO countries.
Vol2 for 12 new EURO countries (2 per page).

Overall size of each album: 245 x 270 mm (9 5/8 x 10 3/4"). Color blue.

These Lighthouse Vista Euro Coin Albums are now available from www.boscastlesupplies - for more information please click here

Boscastle Supplies Introduces new line of 2x2 mylar coin holders / coin flips

Boscastle 2x2 Coin Holder Flips 19mm Cents / Penny
Pack of 50

Our own brand Boscastle Supplies 2" x 2" (50mm x 50mm) coin holder flips are constructed of high quality brilliant white board with mylar windows.

When placed in these holders, coins are visible from both sides as well as completely protected.

 You place coins in the holder, fold it over, and staple or tape it shut.

The front and back of the coin is visible and descriptions of the coins can be written on the holder.
The viewing window is made of crystal clear archival quality Mylar.

They contain no PVC or plasticizers to damage your coins, making them suitable for long term storage of your collection.

You can select from 7 sizes of 2x2 coin flips or coin holders from www.boscastlesupplies.com

Gardener digs up a fortune - Discovers Safe Full of Banknotes

Treasure trove: the house in Shibden

MYSTERY last night shrouded a gardener’s amazing discovery – a cash box stuffed with thousands of pounds in banknotes.

The householder, thought to be in his 60s, unearthed the mini-safe while digging a flowerbed at his home in Godley Gardens, Shibden, Halifax. In it, to his astonishment, was a fortune. The cash box - believed to be around 14 inches long, five inches deep and 10 inches wide - has now been seized by police so they can investigate the freak find.

Officers say they were called just before 7pm on Tuesday.

They are appealing for anyone who thinks the cash box could be theirs to get in touch.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are appealing for anyone who has lost or had a cash box stolen to come forward.

“Anyone who recognises the safe is asked to call Calderdale CID on 0845 6060606.”

Looking for supplies and storage solutions to keep your banknote or currency collection safe  - go to www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/gardener_digs_up_a_fortune_1_3378427

Extraordinary Coin. A “Scratch and Sniff” Marijuana Scented and Leaf Shaped Legal Tender Coin to be Released

You've gotta get one of these unique coins for your collection - Paying tribute to one of the world’s favourite drugs, Benin has launched its first legal tender 44mm Marijuana Scented Silver Plated coin.

Set for release May 20 2011, the “Rub and Sniff” design is one of the few scented coins in numismatics.

Distinctively leaf shaped, this iconic 2011 coin releases the aroma of cannabis when the reverse is rubbed. An official Benin legal tender issue, the obverse is distinguished by the national Coat of Arms.

The Republic of Benin is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located.

The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo, but the seat of government is located in the country’s largest city of Cotonou. Benin covers an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometers (42,000 sq mi), with a population of approximately 9.05 million.

For all your Coin Supplies, Capsules and Album needs go to Boscastle Coin Supplies at www.boscastlesupplies.com


Source: http://www.coinweek.com/news/modern-coins/rub-and-sniff-marijuana-coin-to-be-released/

Auction of Rare U.S. Obsolete Banknotes from the 1820 to 1830’s Salvaged Moments before Being Destroyed

Historic Auction of a newly discovered 170 to 200 year old U.S. Obsolete Banknotes, “The Silver City Collection”, consisting of 165 rare archival proofs in New York City, May 13th, 2011 by Archives International Auctions. 

Also included in the auction are 100 rare and desirable U.S. Obsolete banknotes from the “Round Mountain Collection”, put together by an astute collector who had an amazing eye toward rarity and beauty and which has never been offered previously by any major auction firm.

 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archives International to auction extremely rare and in a number of cases unique U.S. Obsolete banknotes that were not known to exist a little over two years ago. This incredible group of notes was discovered by accident and literally salvaged moments before being discarded as common trash. The consignor had no idea of the value, rarity or significance of this find until only recently.
Dr. Robert Schwartz, president of Archives International Auctions, states, “This amazing collection of notes represent a snap shot of a time in our countries economic history when regional economies and businesses revolved around their local banks for financial needs and the federal government had minimal influence in local financial affairs. This led to hundreds of local banks, sometimes called “Wildcat” banks to start up quickly and go out of business just as quickly and then the left over unredeemed banknotes were called “Broken Banknotes” of Obsolete Banknotes.”

Some of the many highlights include:

• An uncut sheet of 3 Proof Banknotes, $3000-$5000-$10,000 denominations from the Phenix Bank in New York City
• An extremely rare 1837, $100 United States Interest Bearing Banknote proof
• A $5000 Denomination proof note from the Merchants Bank of New York
• A California and Salt Lake Mail Line Obsolete banknote with Racing Stage Coach Vignette
• Over 500 Worldwide banknote rarities and additional U.S. Coins to be offered

There are 265 lots in the auction. Almost every note in the auction is either new to the collecting community or has never been offered in a major auction previously.

For more information and to view the Silver City Catalog, visit WWW.ARCHIVESINTERNATIONAL.COM. This is a live auction including a live gallery that can be attended in person as well as offering phone, Fax and internet bidding on Archives International Live.
The auction takes place Friday, May 13th, 2011 beginning at 10:00 AM EST at The 3 WEST CLUB located at 3 W. 51st Street (at Fifth Avenue) in New York City.

For a full range of Banknote Albums, Protective Sleeves and Currency Pages - Check out www.boscastlesupplies.com 

Huge $4million rare coin deal - David Hall’s $10 Liberty Gold Coin Collection Sold for $4 Million to Legend Numismatics

Legend Numismatics of Lincroft, New Jersey, representing collector Bob R. Simpson of Fort Worth, Texas, has purchased the complete set of $10 Liberty Head gold pieces assembled by Professional Coin Grading Service Founder David Hall. The transaction is valued at $4 million, according to Laura Sperber, Legend President.
Hall’s set is listed on the PCGS Set RegistrySM as the “Ellen D” collection (after his wife’s first name). It is not only the finest set of its kind on the Registry, it is also finer than fabled sets assembled by noted 20th century collectors Harry W. Bass and Louis E. Eliasberg Sr.
Highlights of Hall’s 184-piece Liberty $10 gold collection include:

• 1848, PCGS MS64, the only one graded PCGS MS64 with none graded higher.

• 1858, PCGS MS64, a famous discovery coin from the 1970s and the finest known by three or four points on the Sheldon grading scale.

• 1875, PCGS AU50. With only 100 coins minted, this is the lowest mintage regular-issue United States coin, and many experts believe less than 10 examples are known today.

• 1876, PCGS MS60, the only known mint state example of this low mintage rarity.

• 1883-O, PCGS AU58, possibly the finest known example of this rarity.

• 1899-S, PCGS MS68, the ex-Eliasberg-Clapp coin and the finest known by two full points.

• 1902, PCGS MS66, like many of the coins in the Hall Collection, it is the finest known and the only one graded at this level.

After carefully assembling the collection during the past seven years, Hall admitted he had mixed emotions about selling it.
“While I have a personal use for the money, I really had second thoughts about actually selling my set. I put a lot of work into building it, and it was a lot of fun for a long time,” explained Hall.

“I’m glad Laura bought my set for Mr. Simpson, and I’m happy my ‘babies’ have found a great new home. It’s interesting that Mr. Simpson also has the finest collection of $10 Indian Head gold coins on the PCGS Set Registry, so his collection of 1838 to 1933 gold pieces now is really something special.”

“We’re always searching for interesting, high-quality collections,” said Sperber.
“I immediately called David when I heard he might be willing to sell his incredible collection. This set has a unique appeal because many of the coins are not Mint State but they are extreme rarities nonetheless. It was not until we sat down to actually figure the deal coin-by-coin that we realized exactly how rare and undervalued most of the coins in the $10 Liberty series really are. We then understood why David chose this series to concentrate on.”

Source: http://www.coinweek.com/news/featured-news/david-halls-10-lib-gold-coin-collection-sold-for-4-million-to-legend-numismatics/