English Rose Commemorative Coins

Rose growers have often commemorated landmarks in the Queen’s history by breeding a new variety of her favorite flower. Innovations created in the Queen’s name have also changed the history of rose horticulture. The three roses included in this elegant design are the Queen Elizabeth, the Silver Jubilee and the Gracious Queen.

The Queen Elizabeth Rose was introduced by Dr W. E. Lammerts at the beginning of her reign and was presented in 1954 one year after the Coronation. It is a stately rose that lives up to its name. Growing tall it is especially suited to the backs of borders and hedges and is china pink in colour with a light fragrance. The Royal National Rose Society presented a bed of the rose to the Queen, which was planted in the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

Source: Dig4coins.Com

Treasures of Australia Sapphires 1oz Gold Proof Locket Coin

Treasures of Australia is a beautiful series of locket coins celebrating Australia’s abundance of natural riches. This first release contains stunning blue sapphires, which are found in major accumulations in Queensland and New South Wales.

Proof Quality 99.99% Pure Gold

The 2007-dated coin is struck from 1oz of 99.99% pure gold in proof quality.

Striking Reverse Design

The coin’s reverse design portrays an abstract interpretation of Australia’s stark and beautiful landscape.

Source: Dig4coins.Com

Microsoft to Implement Use of ODF

Microsoft's officials mentioned that the company is going to apply the Open Document Format (ODF), "sometime next year".

"It's a step in the right direction but we are skeptical about how open Microsoft will be," commented the representatives of the Free Software Foundation Europe.

Source: CoinsDig.Com

The Principal of the Helsinki University have issued the Finnish coin

This year, the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters turns 100 years and the Helsinki University of Technology celebrates 100 years as a university. In honour of this event a bimetallic collector coin has been minted. The Principal of Helsinki University of Technology Matti Pursula and the Secretary General of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters Matti Saarnisto issued the coin at the House of Estates 20th May, 2008. Mint of Finland Ltd was represented at the event by CEO Maarit Aarnio-Sirviö.

Source: Dig4coins.Com

US Dollars to Be Revamped

The US federal court asked the government of the United States to remake the size or texture of American banknotes. This is because blind people find it hard to tell the denomination of the notes.

According to the United States federal appeals court, it is unacceptable that the US banknotes have the same size and texture. At the ruling upheld by the court, judges voted 2 to 1 for revamping all dollar banknotes. They rejected the claim of the US government, according to which changing the size and textures of the US banknotes is a very expensive procedure.

Source: CoinsDig.Com

2008 $1 Uncirculated Coin Koala

Our newest full colour pad printed coins are ready to shine. We are again delighted with the finished product and of the creativity this technique allows. Following on from our very popular Ocean Series, we bring life to the Land Series.

The Land Series will showcase unique Australian bush animals. First one of the most internationally recognised and adored Australian animals, the Koala and the equally famous Wombat. A further four coins will be released in the next 12 months featuring our unique and unusual fauna.

Source: Dig4coins.Com

New 1,000-yen Commemorative Coin

The Finance Minister of Japan, Fukushiro Bukaga, at a press conference announced that a new 1000-yen Hokkaido commemorative coin is going to be issued on July of 2008. The issue will take place before the G8 summit, which this time will be held at Lake Toya in Hokkaido. It is worth mentioning that this is the first coin is an eight-year series that consists of 94 commemorative coins marking the "60^th anniversary of the Local Autonomy Law".

Source: Dig4coins.Com

First Orchid Series Currency Notes ez-link Cards

14 May 2007 Wednesday… The Singapore Mint is pleased to announce the launch of the first ever limited edition Orchid Series Currency Notes ez-link Cards! The splendour of the nine different orchid hybrids in the first series currency notes is beautifully captured in this set of specially created ez-link cards.

Source: Dig4coins.Com

Comparison of Current and 2007 Costs for Producing Pennies and Nickels

With the continuous fluctuation of metals in 2008, the final figures this year will undoubtedly suffer changes. Still the costs of producing coins last year registered much worse results after copper, zinc and nickel reached their peak value.

The following fiscal costs in striking penny and nickel were presented to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology by the United States Mint Director Ed Moy on March 11, 2008:

* Penny costs 1.67 cents
* Nickel costs 9.53 cents

Source: Dig4coins.Com

Commemorative Coins and Coin Sets

The Central Bank of Ireland are pleased to announce the issue of the 2008 Annual Mint Set. This is the sixth and final mint set in the 'Heritage of Ireland' series. This set features the ancient passage tomb at Newgrange. Built over 5000 years ago, the burial chamber is entered through a long stone passage with the whole area being covered by a huge mound. The tomb is bordered by 97 kerb stones bearing decorative patterns in the Megalithic art style.

Source: Dig4Coins.Com

Saving Costs for Producing Nickel and Penny Coins

Let's start with the definition of the Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008, which is a document aimed towards changing the metals used in producing pennies and nickels into steel.

The Act was developed to save the production costs of coins in the United States. According to the calculations the US Treasury will be able to save a huge sum of money: $30.34 millions for pennies and $21.92 for nickel. It is worth mentioning that today metals applied in the production of coins (i.e. copper, zinc and nickel) show instability on the market.

The US Mint spends 1.26 cents for producing one penny and 7.7 cents for producing a nickel. Among other costs there are: 4 cents for a dime, 10 cents for a quarter and 16 cents for one dollar coin.

Source: Dig4coins.Com

Man Files a Lawsuit Against Treasury Secretary Asking for More Commemorative Coins

A man from Florida sued the US Treasure Secretary Henry Paulson stating that before George Washington there were 10 men who had the same powers as the president of the United States. The man wants these men to be added into the Presidential $1 coin series.

According to Stanley L. Klos of Palm Beach the ten men were: Samuel Huntington, Thomas McKean, John Hanson, Elias Boudinot, Thomas Mifflin, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, Nathanial Gorham, Arthur St. Clair and Cyrus Griffin.

Full story: dig4coins.com

United States Mint Spotlights Presidential $1 Coin Products in May

Beginning May 13, 2008, the United States Mint is shining the spotlight on its Presidential $1 Coin products. Here's what collectors can expect.

On Tuesday, May 13, the United States Mint will release a second option in the collection, the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature SetTM, in honor of John Adams, our Nation's second President. This latest product includes a proof version of the John Adams Presidential $1 Coin and an intaglio print of John Adams from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The intaglio print is visible from the cover of the textured, leather-like folder of the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set. Inside the folder is the official John Adams Presidential signature, courtesy of the White House Historical Association. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each set.

The first option in the collection, the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set - George Washington, is also available.

To commemorate the accomplishments of John Quincy Adams-our Nation's sixth President-the United States Mint will offer bags and rolls of Presidential $1 Coins bearing his image at noon (ET) on May 15, 2008.

The John Quincy Adams Presidential $1 Coin will be available in 250-coin bags offered at $319.95 and in 25-coin rolls offered at $35.95. The bags and rolls contain coins that were struck at the United States Mints at Denver and Philadelphia for use in everyday financial transactions. The bags and rolls of John Quincy Adams Presidential $1 Coins display the mint of origin, the monetary value of the contents ($25-rolls, $250-bags), and the genuine United States Mint logo.

Full story at: www.usmint.gov

First US City Powered by the Wind

Rock Port, located in Missouri, represents the first city in the United States that is being fully powered by wind. Loess Hill Wind Farm, having four 1.25 MW wind turbines is able to generate 16 gigawatt hours (16 million kilowatt hours) of electricity each year. The town houses 1,400 people. Both businesses and individuals annually consume about 13 gigawatts hours of electricity.

Missouri Public Utility Alliance is the electric company that will acquire excess electricity when available. Afterwards they will supply needed power in case there is not enough wind energy. Extra wind energy will not be stored. Instead it will be fed into Rock Port's high voltage line, thus making it an intermittent source of power.

Full story at: CleanTechnica.Com