Posts Tagged ‘foreign coins’
Light up your world with this glow in the dark coin from Canada!
The Royal Canadian Mint has released a stunning set of coins in 2018, including an exclusive piece marking the 200th anniversary of the 49th parallel.
Combining three technologies into one outstanding 50 cent coin, Steve McPhee’s design utilises vibrant colouring to superimpose the red and white Canadian flag across a map of the country, whilst an engraved line highlights the border between Canada and the USA.
But that’s not all…
When plunged into darkness, special luminescent material lights up the coin, including the latitude and longitude lines – creating a glow in the dark map of Canada!
This stunning set includes one of every denomination in circulation from the $2 to the 5-Cent, but the stand out coin is the exclusive 50-Cent coin – which has only been made available as part of the set.
In 2017, The Royal Canadian Mint released a sell out set of coins celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday, highlighting this milestone event in Canadian history.
The set also included a glow in the dark piece – the two-dollar coin, (or toonie), celebrating the wonders of Canada with an evocative design featuring the Northern Lights.
Collectors were desperate to secure this unusual coin, but just 3 million of these coins were released into general circulation in Canada, meaning just one in ten Canadians were able to find one in their change.
In fact, each and every one of these special Royal Canadian Mint releases have become a collector’s item and going by previous issues, 25 cents and $2 coins are extremely difficult to get hold of.
There’s no doubt that if coins such as these were released in the UK they would create a collecting frenzy! Canadian Change Checkers are certainly incredibly lucky to be able to get hold of fantastic coins such as this from the world renowned Canadian mint.
SOLD OUT AT THE MINT – 2018 Canadian Armistice Centenary $2 Coin
In 2018, to mark the Armistice centenary, The Royal Canadian Mint released this $2 as a tribute to combatants and a pledge to never forget the sacrifices of the First World War.
Just 1 million of these coins were released into circulation in Canada, but today you can secure this stunning coin in uncirculated quality for your collection.
Click here to secure the 2018 Canadian Armistice Centenary $2 Coin.
The Australian $2 coin representing triumph over adversity…
HRH Prince Harry launched the very first Invictus Games at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London in 2014, showcasing the incredible power of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, and increase respect for those who have served their country.
The Games have installed a real sense of belonging for all, and as the international adaptive multi-sport event makes its way ‘down under’ to Sydney, Australia, something extra special will be happening this year for the Invictus Games to mark the fourth year running.
Because to commemorate this special event, The Royal Australian Mint have released a limited quantity of commemorative $2 AUD coins into circulation in Australia.
2018 Invictus Games $2 AUS
This $2 coin features a competitor in a wheelchair, with the words “Invictus Games” on the reverse. Taken from the Latin word for ‘unconquered’, ‘Invictus’ captures the spirit of the games and the competitors who won’t be defined by their injuries or disabilities.
2.3 million of these coins have been released over the past few months, meaning that they should be in the pockets of Australian change collectors by the time the games take place in October.
Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Chief Executive Officer Patrick Kidd OBE says:
“These coins are a fitting tribute to the men and women who serve and have served in our Defence forces and their families. The picture on the coin celebrates the unconquered spirit that this community displays each and every day and that you will all witness when these Games come to Sydney in October.”
Credit: www.ramint.gov.au
Over 500 competitors from 18 nations will compete in 11 different sports during the Games, including:
- Archery
- Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
- Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge
- Powerlifting
- Road Cycling
- Sailing
- Sitting Volleyball
- Swimming
- Wheelchair Basketball
- Wheelchair Rugby
Will any of you change checkers be heading ‘down under’ to watch the Games this October? Or if you have any Aussie friends, make sure they keep an eye out for the coin in their change!
Secure your Invictus Games $2!
We’ve managed to get hold of 125 coins for UK collectors so you can now own this fantastic $2 coin from Australia, representing triumph over adversity.
Discover the currency of Egypt!
For the past few months at Change Checker HQ, we’ve been really enjoying researching different coins from around the world. And the coinage from the sunny climes of Egypt has really caught our attention…
After a bit of digging around, we’ve found out some interesting facts about these fascinating coins… Did you know that Egypt, just like us, uses the ‘pound’ as their currency?
But wait! Before you pack your bags and prepare for a trip abroad without the hassle of exchange rates, you need to be aware that this is not the British pound as we know it, but the Egyptian Pound!
Each pound is made up of 100 piastres (what we would refer to as pennies), and 22 Egyptian pounds convert to 1 British Sterling pound. Egyptian coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 piastres, along with the 1 pound coin of course.
Egypt’s currency design is based largely on its ancient history, with pharaohs, pyramids and past dynasties proving to be popular themes across Egypt’s coinage, including Tutankhamun, Cleopatra and the Pyramids of Giza.
When exploring further into the background of these coins, it’s no wonder Tutankhamun has been chosen as such a poignant design, featuring on the highest denomination, the £1 coin.
As one of the only perfectly preserved Egyptian Royal Tombs, the myth of Tutankhamun is world-famous, making him the best-known King of Egypt. In terms of coinage, Tutankhamun has not only featured in Egyptian minting, but worldwide on various coins (including this recently released coin from Ghana struck in the shape of Tutankhamun’s mask).
Cleopatra also features heavily on Egyptian coins, as the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Her name directly translates to ‘Glory of her father’, and it was rumoured she was romantically involved with Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. Her legacy is ever standing due to what she represented in a male-dominated society – a strong woman able to hold a country together throughout warfare just as well as her male counterparts. A fitting face for any coin I think!
Egypt 50 Piastres Cleopatra – 2005
It’s clear that the currency of Egypt sits on a proud heritage that maps out its ancient world through the striking designs of its coins. But what do you think about these coins? Let us know in the comments below!