Rare 2010 FIFA World Cup Gold Coin

South Africa Mint yesterday has unveiled a set of new gold coins with the emblem of the 2010 World Cup. The coins are decorated with both the South African and German Coat-of-Arms a symbol of the hand-over from the 2006 German World Cup to South Africa. The miniature image of Soccer City on the reverse of the gold coin will celebrate the historical matches which will take place at the spectacular stadium in 2010, for generations to come. This is a gold coin that's being called "probably the rarest in the world". The South African Mint Company manually produced the coin at the site of the stadium that is due to host the first and final matches of the tournament in June next year.

Photo by: itn.co.uk

Deputy General Manager Natanya Van Niekerk of SA Mint said the quarter ounce (oz) gold coins formed part of a special launch set for the FIFA World Cup coin series. According to the company only 300 mintages of the Soccer City coin will be made. The logo on the coins was designed by a Johannesburg resident, De Abreu. The FIFA logo was especially designed with an African flair using the new flag's colours and the footballer portrayed in a San or rock painting style. The coins can be bought at the Mint's coin world shop in Midrand, at R4 500 each.

Photo by: iafrica.com

The minting of the commemorative coins for the soccer spectacle began in 2006 with a gold quarter ounce coin and a R2 silver crown. In 2007, the Mint added another coin to the series to celebrate the 2010 South African World Cup by adding a 1/10th ounce coin. The 2008 coin series also consisted of three coins and in 2009, the World Cup mascot Zakumi features on all three coins.

Source: itn.co.uk, iafrica.com, africanews.com, iol.co.za

Read More

Hidden Bulgaria Ancient Gold Coin

When looking for a story about ancient coin, I found this article about how for about 40 years, the Pernik Museum of History in Bulgaria had been keeping a coin hoard, weighing over 80 kilograms in a safe because the museum lacks of money for numismatic showcases. The hoard, once a part of the treasury of Alexander the Great (336-323). Some of the coins in the hoard are missing and the state authorites have been trying to find the missing coins for several decades.

Two farmers, father and daughter discovered the fabulous riches of gold in 1968 near the Breznik village of Rezhantsi. One night, the two of them had been ploughing a furrow in the field when the tractor crashed a large earthen pythos, the size of a big amphora. An amphora is a two handled greek vase with a swollen belly, narrow neck and large mouth.

The treasure - coins of pure gold and silver - was escorted by militia to the Pernik Museum of History, but the discoverers of the hoard, as well as some of the shepherds in the region, kept for themselves some of the coins. Some of the lost pieces were seized by the police and deposited for safe-keeping at the Sofia Museum of Archaeology.

The coins date back from the fourth century BC. They bear the images of Philip II of Macedon (359-336), his son Alexander III of Macedon and Paeonian ruler Patraeus (335-315). According to the experts, the gold hoard was meant for salary of Alexander the Great's army, which was defeated by the Thracian tribes in this region.

Until now, the biggest gold treasure in Bulgaria has not been exhibit and kept locked in a safe. According to Simeon Milyov, head of the Pernik Museum of History, the museum needs some 8,000 levs (1 euro=1.95 levs) to buy a numismatic showcase for the exposition of the priceless coins. Why don't the museum sell some of the coins in auction for the cost of the showcase? Isn't there any individual or company in Bulgaria that can help this museum to showcase a great numismatic collection like this?

Source: Wikipedia, paper.standartnews.com

Read More

Counterfeit coin detection device prototype

A group of researchers in the Department of Computer Science and Industrial Engineering, University of Lleida, Spain have tried to make a sensor that can detect a counterfeit euro coin. An optical mouse sensor compares images of a questionable coin with reference images from a genuine coin using a unique algorithm. Suspected counterfeit money is scanned, compared, and then identified.

For now, the money being analyzed is a coin, the two Euro (€2) the most valuable and most often counterfeited coin in the European Union. In 2007, fake or counterfeit replicas were prolific. There were 211,100 removed from circulation, making a total value of EUR 422,200 or 631,442 US Dollars. There are eight denominations of the Euro - 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, €1 and €2.

Photo: Counterfeit coin detection device prototype

Low cost sensors in vending machines measure some physical characteristics of coins such as weight, size, thickness, conductivity, and magnetic or acoustic properties. When these physical properties are very similar, image-based coin recognition can be used. The system must detect coins from non EU countries that are similar in size and weight to the two-Euro coin.

Photo: ADNS-3088 optical mouse sensor

The new vision-based measurement system was explained in a paper published by Marcel Tresanchez, Tomàs Pallejà, Mercè Teixidó and Jordi Palacín. The device consists of a dedicated microprocessor, combined with an optical mouse sensor, including a digital signal processor, a CMOS camera, and a lateral infrared light source that illuminates the coin’s surface casting shadows which help detect small variations in the roughness of the surface. A convex lens captures the reflected light. The mouse sensor compares images at over 6,400 frames per second. The acquired image is only 1/14 of the front side of the two Euro coin. Tresanchez says images must be captured in real time, with a minimum resolution of 15x15 pixels, and preferably an LED- or infrared-based sensor, instead of laser technology. The research team used the ADNS-3088 optical mouse sensor from Avago Technologies.

Source: brightsideofnews.com

Read More

Syrian man with $800K gold freed

Few weeks ago, a news from CBC Canada reported about a Syrian man with $800K gold freed. Khaled Nawaya a flight instructor who was born in Saudi Arabia and holds Syrian citizenship, held on suspicion of being a national security threat after trying to bring nearly $1 million into Canada secretly has been released from custody and now says he's the victim of profiling. All of that because he has a DVD about Sept. 11 and some Hezbollah insignia.

Photo by CBC Canada: Maple Leaf gold coin that carried by Khaled Nawaya

Agents with the Canada Border Services Agency said that when Khaled Nawaya arrived at the Canada-U.S. border south of Vancouver last month, he told them he was carrying $10,000 cash. But a search of his vehicle found more than $800,000 in Canadian gold coins, $80,000 cash and other paraphernalia that agents deemed suspicious. The money has been confiscated. Officers said the search also turned up a pro-Palestinian scarf, DVDs about Sept. 11 conspiracy theories and a ring featuring the insignia of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a Shia Islam group based in Lebanon and is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada. A Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board adjudicator released Nawaya on 12 November 2009 on the condition that he provide documentation on the source of his money.


Khaled Nawaya, 34 years old, said most of the money came from a lawsuit he won in the United States, where he had lived since 1993. Nawaya declined to comment on the politically related items the CBSA found or his decision to mislead border guards about the money.

"I want to tell everyone who's suspicious (of me) there's no reason to be suspicious, and not everyone who comes from the Middle East is a bad person."

Nawaya's Canadian lawyer admitted Nawaya's behaviour at the border did not serve him well. "He raised their alarm bells, needlessly," Phil Rankin said.

Nawaya's conditions for release require that he provide an address to authorities and check in monthly with the CBSA. Rankin said Nawaya still faces the possibility of charges for not declaring the money, which he may never get back.

This news is a reminder to all of us to check the authority regulations first before we travel between any country. What is the limit of money you can carry when you travel around any country. Do you need to declare that money and what is the procedure? How about if you bring your gold coin along? is that consider as a money in other country?

Source: CBC Canada

Read More

World Famous War-The Battle of Poltava Coin

Perth Mint had released the 300th Anniversary of the Battle of Poltava on 27 June 2009. The Battle of Poltava (Russian: Полта́вская би́тва, Swedish: Slaget vid Poltava. Ukrainian: Битва під Полтавою) on 27 June 1709 (8 July, N.S.) was the decisive victory of Peter I of Russia over Charles XII of Sweden in one of the most famous of the battles of the Great Northern War. It is said to have started the end of Sweden's role as a Great Power and the Russians took their place as the leading nation of northern Europe. This also meant the rise of Imperial Russia and a temporary end to the independence ambitions of Ukraine. This is one of the famous war coin series of five by Pert Mint.

This stunning coin celebrates one of the world’s Famous War–The Battle of Poltava. It is minted by Perth Mint and come with Bullion Quality 99.9% Pure Silver. Each coin is housed in a silver presentation case and customised box shipper. No more than 10,000 of these coins will be released. A numbered Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each coin. This coin also issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu. Tuvalu (/tuːˈvɑːluː/ or /ˈtuːvəluː/), formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia.

Reverse: The coin’s reverse combines struck and coloured elements portraying Tsar Peter I in the midst of the historic battle. The reverse also incorporates the inscription THE BATTLE OF POLTAVA 1709-2009 and 300TH ANNIVERSARY. The reverse features the Mint’s distinctive ‘P’ mintmark.

Obverse: Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the coin’s obverse depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the 2009 year-date.

Technical Specifications:

Silver Content (Troy oz) 1
Monetary Denomination (TVD) 1
Fineness (% purity) 99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g) 31.135
Maximum Diameter (mm) 40.60
Maximum Thickness (mm) 4.00

Source: Wikipedia, Perth Mint

Read More

Treasure of Archbishop's Michael Ramsey

I found a news a few month ago about Archbishop's treasure found in river. The treasure found by two diver, brothers Gary and Trevor Bankhead, in the River Wear in Durham. A haul of 32 artefacts, including gifts from Pope Paul VI and a commemorative medallion presented to the bishop for the Queen's coronation in 1952. They had been in the possession of Michael Ramsey, the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, who spent part of his retirement in the northern city where he served as bishop.

The underwater survey commenced in April 2007 and took two and half years to complete. The objects, some solid gold, have been discovered by amateur divers Trevor Bankhead, 40, and his brother Gary, 44, a fire service watch officer, over the past two and a half years. They conducted 300 dives and believe there are no objects left on the river bed after their last find. It is their belief belief the items could have been put into the water deliberately as a “gift” to the city by Lord Ramsey. The dives were carried out under licence from Durham Cathedral which owns both banks of the stretch of river.

It is not known how Mr Ramsey's belongings came to be in the river, but there is no record of his former home, on South Bailey, being burgled. One theory is that he may have cast the items into the water himself at various times, having a reputation for eccentricity before his death 21 years ago at the age of 83. Another suggestion is that they may have been stolen before being discarded by thieves for some reason as they crossed Prebends Bridge. The former Bishop of Durham Michael Ramsey lived in the city after retiring as Archbishop in 1974. He died in 1988.

Their first find was an ornate silver trowel presented to the Archbishop for laying the foundation stone of an Indian church in 1961. The brothers have since retrieved over 30 other items linked to Ramsey, along with hundreds of medieval and Saxon artefacts. Among them are gold, silver and bronze medals struck to commemorate the second Vatican council, which must have been presented to Ramsey, who was the most senior cleric in the Church of England from 1961 to 1974, when he met Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1966. It was during the same visit the Pope gave Ramsey his episcopal ring which the Archbishop wore until the day he died and is now kept at Lambeth Palace. Other items discovered include a solid silver coin from the Greek Orthodox Church and a solid gold coin, likely to have been presented when Ramsey met Nikkyo Niwano, president of the Japanese Buddhist movement, in 1973.

Photo by Telegraph.co.uk: Micheal Ramsey

What a great treasure find by this brothers. Some will eventually go on display at Durham’s 11th Century cathedral. Even before the discovery of the items, the cathedral was planning an exhibition relating to Ramsey's life in 2010, a new stained glass window will also be dedicated to him.

Source: BBC News, Telegraph.co.uk and wikipedia.

Read More

Tiger Zodiac gold coin by Perth Mint

2010 is a tiger year according to Chinese Zodiac. Perth Mint Australia celebrates the 2010 lunar year by minting an Australian Lunar Series II 2010 Year of the Tiger Gold Proof Coin. Struck from 99.99% pure gold in proof quality, the 2010 releases are available as individual 1oz, 1/4oz and 1/10oz coins and a Three-Coin Set. The price start From AUS $236.36. It is also a legal tender in Australia. This limited mintage coin come with a numbered certificate of authenticity. With gold as one of the hot commodity in the market right now, the mintage of this coin is a good move by Perth Mint.

As well as appealing to proof quality gold coin collectors, these outstanding releases also make great gifts for people born in any year ‘ruled’ by the Chinese Lunar tiger – including 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 and 2010. Tiger people is a born leader and and fearless. The tiger also a symbol of strengh and power, generally inspires fears and respect. The 2010 tiger gold coin are release with three different denomination AUSD $100 (1oz), AUSD $25 (1/4oz) and AUSD $15 (1/10oz) coins.

The reverse of each coin depicts a tiger’s head. As well as the inscription ‘Year of the Tiger’ and the Chinese character for ‘tiger’, the design also incorporates The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, each coin features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.

The Perth Mint will release no more than:

* 3,000 individual 1oz coins
* 5,000 individual 1/4oz coins
* 5,000 individual 1/10oz coins
* 3,000 Three-Coin Sets (1oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz)

Gold Proof Lunar Series II coins are housed in elegant oval-shaped display cases featuring a granite-like base and a glossy timber-effect lid. Each case comes in an illustrated shipper.

Technical Specifications:


Gold Content (Troy oz) 1 (1oz ); 0.25 (1/4oz); 0.10 (1/10oz)
Monetary Denomination (AUD) 100 (1oz ); 25 (1/4oz); 15 (1/10oz)
Fineness (% purity) 99.99 (1oz ); 99.99 (1/4oz); 99.99 (1/10oz)
Minimum Gross Weight (g) 31.107 (1oz ); 7.777 (1/4oz); 3.111 (1/10oz)
Maximum Diameter (mm) 38.80 (1oz ); 22.10 (1/4oz); 18.10 (1/10oz)
Maximum Thickness (mm) 3.00 (1oz ); 2.20 (1/4oz); 2.0 (1/10oz)

Source: The Perth Mint.

Read More

Latvia Lucky Coin won Coin Constrellation-2009

I found this news about a Latvian Lucky Coin won an award in the Third International Commemorative Coins Contest "Coin Constrellation-2009" last month. The "Lucky Coin" won the title "Silver Coin of the Year"award. Altogether 176 coins from 21 countries participated in the competition, organized by the "Watermark Publishing House". The awards ceremony took place at the Hermitage Museum in Russia's St. Petersburg. The silver "Lucky Coin" was minted in Finland in 2008.

Obverse: A cat in the centre is featured against the background of roofs of a city. The inscription LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA is arranged in a semicircle at the top; the numeral 1 is placed in the lower part, and beneath it, the inscription LATS is arranged in a semicircle.

Reverse: Against the background of rooftops, in the centre a chimney-sweep is holding a ladder in his right hand and a coil of rope and a brush with weight in his left hand. A cat and inscription 2008 are placed lower centre.

Edge: Two inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia), separated by rhombic dots.

The coin called Lucky Coin because it is considered that meeting a chimney-sweep brings you a good luck. When people unexpectedly see a chimney-sweep walking down the street, they think of a wish and rub a black button for all their yearnings and desires to come true. Now and then, chimney-sweeps are even invited to weddings - as an assurance that the new family will be blessed with love, harmony, prosperity, and a flock of healthy children.

As it is not so easy anymore to meet a chimney-sweep on everyday basis, we can rub this coin featuring the sooty man proudly poised on the chimney-top surveying the city, with a cat, that tireless roof-roamer, and a sweeping wind his only companions. If you believe in miracles, the lucky button trick should work: bring good fortune to your home, and fulfil all your secret desires.

Face value: 1 lats
Weight: 22.00 g, diameter: 35.00 mm
Metal: silver of .925 fineness, quality: proof
Struck in 2008 by Rahapaja Oy (Finland)
Artists: Arvids Priedite (graphic design), Janis Strupulis (plaster model)


Source: www.baltic-course.com, wikipedia

Read More

Gold coin for $50 dollar?

What will you do if someone trying to sell to you a one ounce Canadian Maple Leaf for $50 dollar? Do you dare to buy them? What the first thing that will be in your mind? Do you know that the current value of that coin is at least $1,108.00 dollar (when I write this post)? This is sound like a joke to anyone but in my opinion many people don't know the value of the gold coin and most of them think that this guy is trying to scam or do prank on them. This 6 minutes video end up with nobody take the precious gold coin.

Mark Dice from the The Resistance tries to sell a one ounce pure cold coin for $50 but nobody has a clue how much gold is worth, and nobody wanted it. He even asked If anyone will buy him a Starbuck coffee for this gold coin. Nobody even try to look at the coin if it its real or fake? A 999 Gold coin for 50 dollar, most people would not waste their time for a scam, maybe? I really wish I was there and buy that coin for $100 dollar.

Gold price has been up and reach its high record price at $1,123 per ounce on Thursday. The Gold record breaking trail for this recent weeks mainly because of the weaker US dollar. Many people is waiting until February 2010 and wish that the prediction that gold will achieve its record high at $1,400 per ounce. I myself try to find any gold coin for sale in the recent week but can only found few gold coins. Malaysia Kijang Emas is a hard find in any local bank nowadays. You need to booked your Kijang Emas, if you're lucky and someone want to sell them.

Read More

Money and Stamp Fair-Heritage Station Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Do you know that there is a money and stamp fair held in Heritage Station Hotel, Kuala Lumpur every month? It is not a big fair like other money fair that I have been to but this is one of the place that you must visit in Kuala Lumpur if you're into stamp and money collecting. The fair is held in Sri indah Hall, 2nd floor, Heritage Station Hotel. Heritage Station Hotel or formally known as the Station hotel located at the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. The Money and Stamp Fair held by U.S Agency, a Stamps and Banknotes dealer from Ipoh, Perak.

Photo: Kuala Lumpur railway station from Pasar Seni LRT Station

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station or Stesen Keretapi Kuala Lumpur, is a train station located in Kuala Lumpur. Completed in 1910 to replace an older station (Kuala Lumpur Railway station or nickname Resident station) on the same site. The station is located along a road named Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, previously known as Victory Avenue, which in turn was part of Damansara Road. The station is located closely to the similarly designed Railway Administration Building, as well as the National Mosque and Dayabumi Complex. The Pasar Seni LRT station is located 400 metres away, across the Klang River. The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is notable for it architecture, adopting a mixture of Eastern and Western designs.

The Heritage Station Hotel is located at the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, one of the most distinctive Railway Station's in the world. The building has been gazetted as a heritage site since 14 April 1983. The Heritage Station Hotel have 170 room. Designed by A.B. Hubback and officially opened on 1 August 1910, the Railway Station was then known as Federated Malayan States Railway which originally housed a hostel. The building draws inspiration from the Neo Moorish period heavily influenced by architecture from India, Turkey and Morroco. Much of the building is made out of wood, with minimal use of stone and cement. All the building materials were brought in directly from England.

Photo: An old lift in Heritage Station Hotel

Photo: This Hall Way has been used many times for photography session.

Photo: Arthur Benisen Hubback, Kuala Lumpur Railway Station Designer

A.B. Hubback's work is visually alive in Malaysia today, famous for his Neo Moorish designs which many people claim was due to his experiences in India. Unfortunately, Arthur has never been to India. His most notable works in Malaysia today are:

• The Railway Station, Kuala Lumpur
• The Railway Administrative Building, Kuala Lumpur
• The Old City Hall, Kuala Lumpur (Now Panggung Bandaraya)
• The Railway Station, Ipoh, Perak
• Ipoh Town Hall Building, Perak
• The White House of Klang (Now Galeri Diraja Sultan Abdul Aziz, under the auspices of the Sultan of Selangor)
• Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur (Masjid Jamek)
• Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, (Masjid Ubaidah, under the auspices of the Sultan of Perak)
• State Secretariat Building, Seremban (Now Seremban State Library)
• Extensions to The Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur
• Carcosa Sri Negara, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and many other buildings in Malaysia.

You can check more information about the Heritage Station Hostel via their website www.heritagehotelmalaysia.com.

Photo: Mr. Govin, owner of US Agency.

U.S Agency Dealing in Stamps, Coins, Banknotes, Miniature Sheets, Phone Cards in Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong & World. U.S Agency is based in Ipoh. You can find their shop at; No. 115, Jln Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak. You can contact the owner Mr. Govin at phone number 012-5017775. U.S Agency money and stamp fair held every month on the 1st weekend (saturday & sunday) at Heritage Station Hotel at 9am until 5.00pm. You can contact Mr. Govin for confirmation before you go to their fair.

As what I remember, this money fair has been held by Mr. Govin at the same place since 2006 (correct me if I am wrong). i have been their buyer since then. they have many good collection at a reasonable price then other coin or stamp dealer in Klang Valley but at my recent visit there. the price is almost the same as the Klang Valley coin dealer. they don't have many item for coin and banknote colleting with only quater of the space is for coin and banknote display. Most of their buyer is looking for stamp.


This is one place where I can see many kids involve in any coin or stamp collecting. Most of the time i come here, at least 2 0r 3 kids accompany by their parents searching for their future collection. This is a good sign that this hobby will be continue by our future generation. Most Kids nowadays, just have "play video games" as a hobby. This is one hobby that is good for our future generation, there is no return on your investment buying their video games and stuff. this hobby will be a rewarding hobby, if you can teach them properly on how to do collecting.








I can see Item such as books related to stamps and money collecting, commemorative coin, world coins, malaysia banknotes, World banknotes, stamps, first day cover, telephone card and album to keep your collection on sale in this fair. One of the banknotes that interest me is malaya $50 dollar 1942 banknote, they sale this item for RM3,800 ringgit. this item is a bit hard to find nowadays. I try to asked Mr. Govin for a good price, I come back with dissapointment that day. My tips when you visit here, you can see their buying price on their tag price. A bit funny but thats the truth. They don't put new item with their buying price though.

This is one place in Klang Valley that you can visit for Stamp and Money collection. they also received credit card transaction with some extra fee. The only problem for me, their price is not cheaper then the rest of coin dealer in Klang Valley. There is not many choice for money collector to choose. You still can go sight seeing in one of the oldest railway station in this country. For anyone who love pre-colonial building, this is also a good place for you. I can also see many photography club doing their session at this place. Some of the photography work is put on display at the entrance of Heritage Station Hotel.

U.S Agency has stop Heritage Hotel Money Fair.

Read More