The Royal Canadian Mint and Perth Mint have each released a new coin which comes outside of the typical monthly batch releases. The Canadian coin includes the use of achromatic hologram technology to create a special 3D effect and the Perth Mint coin depicts the four Chinese ancient mythical creatures.
The Royal Canadian Mint celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency with the issuance of a 1 oz 99.99% pure silver proof coin. The reverse design includes a full color achromatic hologram image of a Canadian astronaut floating in space above the Earth. The astronaut is anchored to a foot restraint on Canadarm2. According to the product description, the hologram leads to depth and movement within the design, creating a 3D illusion for the viewer as the astrocnuat seems to float above the earth.
This represents only the second time that the RCM has produced a coin using achromatic hologram technology. The first time was for the 2013 Superman $20 Silver Coin.
The 2014 25th Anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency Silver Coin carries a maximum mintage of 10,000 pieces.
The Perth Mint has released the Tuvalu legal tender 2014 Chinese Mythical Creatures 5 oz Silver Proof Colored Coin.
According to ancient Chinese mythology, the universe was divided into four quadrants marking the beginning and end of the winter and summer solstices, and the autumn and spring equinoxes. These heavenly quadrants were known as the ‘Four Celestial Palaces’, with each palace represented by a guardian animal and corresponding colour, element, and virtue.
The reverse design of the coin contains a colorized portrayal of the four Chinese ancient mythical creatures. At the center is the Yin Yang symbol gilded in 24 karat gold. On the obverse of the coin is the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with the 2014 date and denomination.
Each coin is struck in 5 oz of 99.9% pure silver to proof quality. The maximum mintage is 1,000 pieces.
A video showcasing the production of the new coin has been posted on YouTube and is embedded below.
Koichi Ito says
It is the best time to buy coins from Royal Canadian Mint and Perth Mint because U.S. Dollar is high against Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar.
Stuart says
Sometimes I wish I weren’t an astronomer and coin collector. Guess the Canadian Mint is going to get a bit more of my money.
Louis says
Like many young boys I wanted to be an astronaut way back when and actually met Neil Armstrong, whose son attended my school. So I still have a soft spot for all this space stuff.
Broooster says
Monday I received an email from the Perth Mint, because I had ordered the first two Gods Of Olympus from them. They offered me the opportunity to PER-ORDER the Hades coin, and skip fighting the masses for my one coin. Naturally, I took them up on the offer and after replying to them and taking up that wonderful offer, I already have mine ordered with an order number.
Did anyone else receive such an email ??
Louis says
No- since I was not ever able to get any of this series from perth. However, Downies did this for me, and I am locked in for a coin from them. Clearly 1500 was too low a mintage, though of course that is why they go up instantly to $400.
Samuel says
Broooster, i did not get such an email, dont know why.
VABEACHBUM says
@ Louis – Also a huge fan of the space program growing up. Used to have all of the missions and respective astronauts memorized. Remember watching the events of July 1969 on our one, black & white TV.
I like the looks of the RCM coin. But I’m going to use that coin as yet another opportunity to remind our US Mint that the 50th Anny of the Moon Landing is 5 years out!! And we’re already passing into the Anny time frames for the Mercury and Gemini programs. If there ever were a need for a multi-coin, or multi-year commemorative coin program, NASA and “To the Moon and Back” most certainly should qualify.
Let us hope some of those Senators and Representatives from Florida, Texas, and Ohio are updating their to-do list!! To have nothing, or to having something completely underwhelming to commemorate an event that defined a Nation and our generations, is completely unacceptable!
Stuart says
@Brooster– I got the second, not the first, and so did not get the e-mail.
JagFan says
For those of you who are space buffs, there is a company called Medallic Arts that produced high relief silver rounds that I believe are around 4.8 oz of the Apollo program.. They also made a smaller Bronze round as well. They are nice looking rounds:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Medallic-Art-Co-APOLLO-14-Commemorative-999-Silver-Medal-w-Box-4-74-oz-/361064144428?pt=US_Bullion_Coins&hash=item5411199e2c#ht_272wt_900
Louis says
@VAB- A couple months ago I was speaking to a former member of the CCAC who said he pushed hard for NASA/moon landing coins, and if I remember right, he said there is likely to be one in 2019.
VABEACHBUM says
Thanks, Louis. Let’s hope that CCAC, CFA, NASA and we collectors can greatly influence the content and the timely execution of the Legislation necessary to make it happen.
CaptainOverkill says
The Perth Mint coin looks incredible. Picked it up from Talisman today, it’s a bit cheaper there than it is at Perth. Can’t wait to get it in hand!
Louis says
CO- Over on another forum someone who got the coin posted actual pics and I think you will be very pleased.
VA Rich says
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1419698/25th-anniversary-of-the-canadian-space-agency-celebrated-on-silver-collector-coin
VABEACHBUM says
@ CO – Congrats!! The pics I have seen appear to present an incredible piece and a nice addition to any collection. Definitely interested in seeing your feedback after it arrives.
This coin reminds me a whole lot of the 5 oz Dragons of Legend Coin that was issued to support the series of five, 1 oz coins issued in 2012 and 2013. Did you happen to add that 5 oz DoL to your collection of 1 oz pieces? If yes, then I also would like to know how these two 5 oz coins compare.
Samuel says
available again!
Water-lily and Venetian Glass Leopard Frog (2014)
CaptainOverkill says
VABB,
I wanted that five ounce DoL piece, but just couldn’t afford it at the time. In hindsight, it’s one of my regrets. The two best five ounce pieces I feel I own are Perth’s 2012 five ounce proof dragon and the five ounce silver Britannia I bought at Louis’ recommendation.
CaptainOverkill says
I see Perth’s website has totally crashed (again). Did they learn nothing from the last two “gods” releases? Fortunately, I just went ahead and bought the typeset and colored proof ram at Talisman since I didn’t actually want the Hades coin, but I’d have rather been able to buy them from Perth direct.
The same thing happens with nearly every “hot” release, but these mints never seem to learn…
Samuel says
CO, be patient.
CaptainOverkill says
Samuel,
I already picked up my coins from Talisman. I am just annoyed Perth’s site crashed and prevented me from being able to order from there.
Samuel says
the website is back, but no new coins.
Steve says
Samual…I can click on Hades, but it won’t go into my cart.
Samuel says
Steve, i got 1 already. good luck!
Steve says
Finally got Nades submitted in queue…only 49 minutes….coin probably will not be available by then.
Samuel says
my friend place an order just now, 104 minutes.
Samuel says
Steve, i bet you probably already got yours right now.
Steve says
Samual, the queue went from 49 to 51, now 53 minutes.. However I got an email from my cc alerting me to an international charge. at 9:27…it was only 88 cents, so that’s just part of the verification process I reckon.
VABEACHBUM says
@ CO – Great call on the 5 oz Britannia!!
I ordered the 1 oz PR Britannia the day they became available, and new that the 5 oz version w/ the HR Strike would be phenominal. Louis made it clear that he fell in love the moment he opened the box of that 5 oz coin, and it sounds like you’re extremely pleased, as well.
I’m in the process of culling some duplicates from my collection, with hopes of adding that 5 oz PR Britannia to my collection by the end of the month. With the PND down slightly against the Dollar, now’s the time to buy.
CaptainOverkill says
VABB,
I am absolutely pleased with the five ounce Britannia and had basically the same experience – I pulled the cover off and couldn’t quite believe my eyes. This coin absolutely deserves to win some sort of award. I hope you are able to buy it even though the premium is outrageous. You won’t regret it.
I am sure the gold version is also incredible. Maybe if I ever win the lottery… 🙂