US Seizes Gold Coins Found in Safe Deposit Box - 10 rare gold coins valued at roughly $80 million that have been missing for decades.

A federal judge awarded the U.S. government ownership of 10 rare gold coins valued at roughly $80 million that have been missing for decades.

The 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle, named after its designer Augustus St. Gaudens, is "one of the most sought-after rarities in history," according to the U.S. Mint.

Though the double eagle was originally valued at $20, one such coin that belonged to King Farouk of Egypt sold for more than $7.5 million at a Sotheby's auction in the summer of 2002, making it the most valuable coins ever auctioned at the time.

The Philadelphia Mint struck 445,500 double eagles at the height of the Great Depression, but it pulled them back weeks later as President Theodore Roosevelt ordered U.S. banks to abandon the gold standard.

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Source: http://reason.com/24-7/2012/09/04/us-seizes-gold-coins-found-in-safe-depos
 

Huge Bank Note Auction for whopping £1.5 million - The Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet fiver: How provincial banks used to print their own notes and now they're worth millions

• Between the late 18th century and 1921 provincial banks across the country produced their own notes
• Multi-millionaire David Kirch has decided to sell off his 4,000 note collection and give the proceeds to charity
• All corners of Britain are represented in the collection which has taken about 30 years to assemble

 

The biggest collection of provincial British bank notes ever assembled is to be sold and could net its owner a whopping £1.5 million.

David Kirch, a multi-millionaire whose charitable giving is legendary, has decided to cash in his immense collection of 4,000 notes and give the proceeds to the elderly.

Between the late 18th century and 1921 provincial banks across the country produced their own notes.

Old money: A Glastonbury & Shepton Mallet bank £5 note from the 1830s. Many people are unaware that almost every town had its own bank that issued notes to be used in the locality - but many banks often went under

 

Cashing in: A £5 note from Town & County of Poole Bank from the 1800's. Multi-millionaire David Kirch has decided to sell his collection of provincial Bank notes and give the estimated £1.5million proceeds to the elderly

All corners of Britain are represented in the collection that is so big it is having to be sold in a series of auctions.

The paper notes were marked with the bank’s name, its logo and the amount it was worth, and they were hand signed.

 

The collection has taken about 30 years to assemble and is being sold along with Mr Kirch’s collection of 350 Bank of England notes, which is worth about £2million.

Many people are unaware that almost every town had its own bank that issued notes to be used in the locality.

Big spender: An Uxbridge Old Bank £5 note from 1894. All corners of Britain are represented in the collection that is so big it is having to be sold in a series of auctions. The collection has taken about 30 years to assemble

Just like Northern Rock, however, there was often a run on these banks and they went under, leaving customers owning almost worthless cash.

Mr Kirch, who lives on Jersey and made his money from property developing, has recently been diagnosed with cancer, a life-changing event which has given him a new perspective on life.

He said: 'I started the collection in 1973 when I moved to Jersey and of all my collections it’s been the finest investment.

'Bank notes seem to be in fashion at the moment and a lot of people seem to have started to collect them.

'When I began collecting there were not many general collectors, but people who mainly collected the notes for specific regions.

Note-worthy: A Weymouth & Dorsetshire Bank £1 note from 1825. The paper notes, popular among collectors, are marked with the bank’s name, its logo and the amount it is worth, and they were always hand-signed

 

'But you have to draw the line somewhere so I didn’t collect from Scotland or Ireland, but I did include Wales.

'People are amazed that there were such a large number of banks issuing notes from so many towns. I collected them from auctions and from dealers, but I didn’t buy many from the internet.

'I used to get so excited when a note came up that I didn’t have that I had to go and get it. Some were bargains and others I paid too much for, but they evened out. I enjoy the fun of collecting and got carried away and when I wanted a note I just couldn’t let it go.

'Many of these banks went bust when there was a run on them, often in the 1820s and 1830s. It is very similar to today and is like Northern Rock, which was a viable business until there was a run on it.
 

Old money: A Glastonbury & Shepton Mallet bank £5 note from the 1830's Many people are unaware that almost every town had its own bank that issued notes to be used in the locality - but many banks often went under

 

'None of the notes are the same although the differences can be quite small, like the names of a partner changing. There are also lots of proofs. There is also my collection of Bank of England notes being sold and all the money will go to charity for the elderly in Jersey.'

Barnaby Faull, from London auctioneers Spinks, said that the notes date approximately from the 1790s to the 1920s but most are from the 1820s and 1830s when many banks went bust.

He said: 'The banks started when merchants in a particular town got together and formed one for ease of use. The notes were circulated in just the local area where people trusted the bank.

Auction: A Chatham Bank £5 note from the 1840's. The notes are in numerous denominations, but rarely bigger than £5. The bank notes were always printed on high quality paper and are larger than today's £50 note

'If a bank went bust there was not a lot people could do, but rather than throw away the notes they would keep them just in case.'

The notes are in numerous denominations, but rarely bigger than £5. There are also guinea notes.

Mr Faull said: 'They are generally on high quality paper often with a watermark and they usually have a picture of the bank or a coat of arms and they usually are black and white.

'They are a bit bigger than a modern 50 pound notes and they are hand signed and hand numbered. They sell for about £200 to £300 each and the rare ones are about £2,000.

Charity: A Stuckeys Somersetshire bank £5 note from 1909. The notes will be sold in four sales starting with the south and south west region, with the first sale on October 10 and the proceeds will be donated to charity

 

'Most people are unaware of all the provincial banks that used to exist and the notes they produced. They are easily affordable and are of great interest because they come from so many towns and counties across the country.

'If you live in a town it’s nice to have an old note issued from the local bank. The last in this collection is from 1921 in Wellington, Somerset.'

 
The provincial notes will be sold in four sales starting with the south and south west region, with the first sale on October 10. All proceeds will be going to the David Kirch Charitable Trust.

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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198035/Largest-collection-provincial-banknotes-assembled-banks-Glastonbury-Chatham-goes-sale.html#ixzz25b6CqUZJ

New Costa Rica Bank Notes

The new notes of ¢ 5,000, ¢ 10,000 and ¢ 50,000 start circulating on the 27th of August, the central bank said Saturday. The old bills of ¢ 5,000 and ¢ 10,000 retain their value as payment until December 31, 2012.

This means that you can use to make payments until the end of this year.

Then, from 1. January 2013 until 30 April, the old notes only be exchanged at commercial banks in the national banking system. The person takes them and give new ones.

From 1. St May 2013 exchange of notes of ¢ 5,000 and ¢ 10,000 from the “old family” may be made in the Central Bank.

People can review the features of the new notes in the Central Bank’s website, at: l http://www.bccr.fi.cr/billetes_monedas/seguridades.

The Central Bank announced yesterday that provides public training courses, for which registration can be done via email at the address sinpecap@bccr.fi.cr.

London Olympic Games: Canada Mint issues Lucky Loonie Coins

CALGARY - The Royal Canadian Mint has issued its latest commemorative circulation coin, the 2012 Lucky Loonie.

The coin was unveiled Thursday at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary.

It will serve as a good luck charm for Canadian athletes competing in London at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In what is now a legendary tale, a Loonie was buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to bring good luck to Canada's gold medal-winning men's and women's hockey teams.

The mint has since produced a Lucky Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent games.
The 2012 Lucky Loonie circulation coin features the iconic loon as it spreads its majestic wings while sitting on rippling Canadian lake waters.

Designed by artist Emily S. Damstra, the coin also features the Canadian Olympic Team logo.

Original source article: London Games: Mint issues Lucky Loonie

 

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US Mint Adds Eagles, Coins and Sets to 2012 Product Schedule

US Mint image of the presentation case holding its 2012-W Proof American Eagle, one of the prominent products listed on its updated product schedule

This week the United States Mint updated its product schedule with the addition of coins and sets for release in August and September.


Upcoming sets include the Making American History Coin & Currency Set and 2012 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set. Forthcoming coins include 2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagles, 2012-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagles, Benjamin Harrison Presidential $1 coins and more America the Beautiful Quarter coins.

A list of the updated product schedule follows. Summaries for some of the major ones appear after the grid.

Date	U.S. Mint 2012 Numismatic Product Schedule
8/02/2012	2012-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagles
8/07/2012	Making American History Coin & Currency Set
8/9/2012	"S" Acadia Quarters in Bags and Rolls
8/9/2012	2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagles
8/13/2012	2012-P Acadia 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins
8/16/2012	Benjamin Harrison Presidential $1 Coins in Bags, Rolls & Boxes
8/27/2012	P&D Hawaii Volcanoes Quarters in Bags and Rolls
9/06/2012	2012 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set
9/24/2012	2012-P Hawaii Volcanoes 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins

Making American History Coin & Currency Set

In an unexpected new product addition, the Making American History Coin & Currency Set is already getting discussed in detail by collectors. As described earlier this week, the coin and currency set is a joint U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing product that includes a Series 2009 $5 note and a 2012 Proof American Silver Eagle from San Francisco.

Priced at $72.95, the set was created, according to the U.S. Mint, to celebrate its 220th year in service and commemorate the 150th anniversary of the BEP. Each $5 note will begin with a ’150′ serial number and a San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank designation.

2012 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set

Also unexpected is the Mint’s listing of the 2012 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set. While its price and product page are yet to be published by the bureau, it is expected that the set will contains this year’s four Presidential $1 coins, the 2012 Native American $1 coin and an uncirculated American Silver Eagle from West Point — the same one that will be sold individually beginning on August 2, 2012.

Same named sets were released in 2007 and 2008, but annual releases stopped when sales of the uncirculated American Silver Eagle were canceled in calendar years 2009 and 2010. The set did not reappear last year when the uncirculated Silver Eagle returned after its two-year hiatus.

A date of September 6, 2012 is currently provided for its release.

2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagles

Back tracking a bit, this year’s proof American Platinum Eagle from West Point is expected out on August 9, 2012. With a reverse design representative of "For the Common Defence," the Eagle is the fourth annual issue to feature a design that explores the core concepts of American democracy. The specific focus is on the Preamble of the Constitution. There will be six coins in total in this series, released at a rate of one per year.

Proof American Platinum Eagle coins bearing the West Point "W" mint mark were first introduced in 1997. Each contains 99.95% pure platinum. The new coin’s price will be known one day before its release, on August 8. Last year’s proof with a design representative of "To Insure Domestic Tranquility" is available from the U.S. Mint for $1,692.

Other Coins and Products

Other coins listed in the Mint’s updated product schedule continue issues within the America the Beautiful coin and Presidential $1 coin series.

Still missing are specific release dates for the 2012 First Spouse Gold Coins.
The product schedule is also available directly on the U.S. Mint website at

http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.

Source: http://www.coinnews.net/2012/07/20/us-mint-adds-eagles-coins-and-sets-to-2012-product-schedule/

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Sarnia backdrop for Coast Guard’s 50th

SARNIA - The Canadian Coast Guard celebrated its 50th birthday in Sarnia Friday morning, as the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a silver collector coin honouring the nation's maritime protectors.

The coin features the first surface ship to reach the North Pole, icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, the flagship of the Canadian Coast Guard that has been involved in guarding the country's Arctic sovereignty.

Marc Rothwell, commanding officer of the icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, welcomed the distinction.

"The whole fleet -- officers, the crew, commanding officers -- are quite proud to serve on our three coasts and inland communities," said Capt. Rothwell, who first sailed to the Arctic 20 years ago, from St. John's, Nfld.

"This is a great milestone. Not just for the Government of Canada to commemorate, but for Canadians to celebrate the tremendous courage of the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard," said Jeff Watson, MP of Essex.

The 50th milestone comes on the heels of federal cuts to the Coast Guard, which has taken the brunt of Department of Fisheries and Oceans cuts.

The Central and Arctic Region office in Sarnia is to lose about 35 positions over three years, part of a national plan to reduce the Coast Guard's five operating regions to three, and includes moving management positions from Sarnia to Montreal.

Watson doused public and expert concerns over potential jeopardizing of maritime safety and search-and-rescue operations, as Coast Guard communications centres monitor distress calls and broadcast safety information such as weather and traffic warnings.

"The consolidation will enhance marine safety by streamlining the overall organizational command structure of individual communities," said Watson.

Despite job losses, Coast Guard assistant Commissioner Wade Spurrell emphasized Sarnia is "critical" for operations on Great Lakes with its Marine Communications and Traffic Services centre.
"While there will be changes here in Sarnia and its role will change as the new regional headquarters moves to Montreal, there will also be some additions and improvements to our MCTS centre here," said Spurrell.

The red-and-white icebreaker CCGS Griffon, stationed at the Sarnia Government Dock, was chosen as the backdrop for the golden jubilee commemoration.

Each silver coin is accompanied by a vial containing a small piece of steel from the bow of the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, collected when the ship was refitted.

Source: http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/07/13/19985486.html

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Is Canada's new plastic money melting? Video - Bank of Canada says No

Does Canada's plastic money have a heat problem? According to reports in the Canadian news, the polymer bills are melting in extreme heat -- shriveling up like bacon, and occasionally sticking together when left in a hot car.

"We have seen it a few times now where there have been either three to four, or five to 10 [bills] all melted together," Brittney Halldorson, a teller at a Credit Union in Kelowna, B.C., told Metro Ottowa.

A man in Halifax told the Toronto Star that when he left the money on a toaster, it curled up like a Coke bottle. The paper also talked to a man who placed a stack of eight $100 bills in a tin can near a heater, only to find they had shriveled up.

However, the Bank of Canada is not buying it.

"The bank has encountered no evidence that polymer bank notes are being affected by heat as has been suggested in recent news reports," the bank wrote in an email to the Los Angeles Times. "Bank notes printed on polymer material have been used in many countries for years, most of which have climates far hotter than Canada."
Malancha Gupta, who teaches chemical engineering at USC, agreed that tales of the notes melting seemed unlikely. "The melting point of polypropelene -- the material the notes are made of -- is in the range of 130 to 175 degrees Celsius [about 265 to 340 degrees Fahrenheit] and should be able to withstand high temperatures you would experience in everyday life," she said.

Canada introduced polymer currency last November, starting with the $100 bill. A $50 plastic bill was introduced last spring, and a $20 bill is coming by the end of this year. Plastic $10 and $5 bills are to be in circulation by late 2013.

The polymer notes are more expensive to produce than the previous paper bank notes, but the Bank of Canada says the plastic money will last 2.5 times longer. The plastic bills are also recyclable.

But the real impetus to move to the polymer bills was to make Canadian currency more difficult to counterfeit.

The new bills are tricked out with all kinds of security measures that include certain areas where the ink is raised, special transparent windows with specific images etched in them, and numbers that appear if you hold the bill up to the light -- some of which are reversed for extra security.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-canadas-plastic-money-is-reportedly-melting-at-extreme-heats-20120713,0,3016165.story
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