2015+ CONGO SILVERBACK GORILLA by Scottsdale Mint Since 2015, US based bullion producer Scottsdale Mint has greatly increased its selection of low-run bullion coins, particularly those struck in silver. At the time of writing (04/19), the mint has just come off a bumper year of new issues, with multiple single releases, as well as new programmes, including the eight-coin Caribbean EC8. Nature coins have always been popular in this market - witness the Perth Mint's iconic range - and the addition of lower mintage designs has helped boost the overall market to what it [...]

AMERICAN GOLD BUFFALO by the United States Mint The Buffalo was the United States Mints first 24-carat (0.9999) gold bullion coin (the American Gold Eagle is 22-carat) and was introduced for the first time on 22nd June 2006 following its authorisation by Public Law 109-145 in late 2005. It was also known as the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 as the same legislation also required the issuing of a presidential dollar series starting in 2007, along with a redesigned cent in 2009. Both the obverse and reverse sides showcase images by James Earl Fraser, [...]

AMERICAN GOLD EAGLE by the United States Mint The American Gold Eagle is an official gold bullion coin of the United States. Authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, it was first released by the United States Mint in 1986 and has been produced in large numbers ever since. Offered in 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz denominations, these coins are authorized by the United States Congress and  guaranteed by the U.S. government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces. By law, the gold must [...]

AUSTRALIAN KOALA by The Perth Mint Known for its ranges of semi-numismatic silver bullion coins more than anything else, the Perth Mint has been hugely successful with them, and every September when they're first revealed is hugely anticipated. Despite a growing selection of limited run coins, the mint garners huge interest with its three long-running series, the Kookaburra, the Lunar Series, and the one we're looking at here, the Koala. First introduced in 2007, the Perth Mints Australian Koala is the youngest of the 0.999 silver bullion triumvirate. Like those other series, the Koala maintains [...]

2014-2020 SHENGXIAO LUNARS by the Royal Mint One of the most eagerly awaited of the various annually changing silver bullion coins for some years has been the Perth Mint's perenially popular Lunar Series, now ten coins through its second cycle. The Lunar market is exceptionally diverse and well liked so it should've come as no surprise that other mints would look to emulate that success. Treasures of Oz did a fine job with their Tokelau Lunar range, now sadly defunct only a few coins in, and their are some smaller ranges around filling in the [...]

2013-2017 AUSTRALIAN STOCK HORSE by the Perth Mint An icon in Australia, the admired Australian Stock Horse was originally a combination of several breeds including the Thoroughbred, Arab, and Timor and Welsh Mountain ponies. Although they were initially used for stock work and exploration by the early settlers, more than 120,000 Australian Stock Horses went on to serve in the First World War. Their strength, stamina and courage earned them international recognition as the finest cavalry mounts in the world and established their place in Australian history and folklore. The Perth Mint has a history [...]

Launched back in 1989 in gold form, the Austrian Wiener Philharmoniker soon became the premier European bullion coin and one of the big three alongside the American Eagle and the Canadian Maple Leaf ranges. Joined in 2008 by a 1oz silver coin, and in February 2016 by a 1oz platinum, it's also one of the very few to have offered all three of the major precious metals with the same design. Both sides of the coin were designed by the Austrian Mint’s chief engraver, Thomas Pesendorfer. The reverse face depicts eight orchestral instruments: four violins, a cello, a  Viennese [...]

ARMENIAN NOAH'S ARK by Geiger Edelmetalle The “Noah´s Ark” is a silver bullion coin issued by the Central Bank of Armenia but produced at a German private mint, Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung. They're not sold by the Central Bank of Armenia but by Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH and other European dealers. The coin is legal tender in the Republic of Armenia at its face value. Source: Wikipedia Noah´s Ark is an expressive symbol of Armenian history, deeply rooted in the European culture. According to the Christian Old Testament, the Ark was built by Noah at God´s [...]

SILVER MAPLE LEAF by the Royal Canadian Mint The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is a bullion coin issued annually by the government of Canada and minted by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM). First hitting the market in 1988, the now iconic design has seen huge sales, second only the the American Silver Eagle. Like the Eagle, it has a limited numismatic value compared to most other silver bullion coins due to that huge mintage and a design that doesn't really change. The lack of bigger sizes doesn't help matters either, firmly placing the Maple, along [...]

After the success of the Canadian Wildlife series, a 1oz,  six-piece silver bullion coin series issued twice annually by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) between 2011 and 2013, it was clear a new series would plug the new gap. The sequel series didn't stray far from the original theme, but took to the air in style. Featuring birds of prey indigenous to the North American continent, the four coins that make up this set all show birds of prey in flight, usually in the act of hunting. In terms of specification and mintage, these remain identical to Canadian Wildlife. [...]