With the closing of the weekend, one of the main numismatic highlights on the calendar here in Europe comes to an end. The Berlin Money Fair is a chance for many companies, mints, and precious metal refineries to showcase their work to the world. Be it upcoming releases for the year, or updates on new techniques in the production of such pieces. Over the three days the fair is held, guests and visitors are able to purchase samples and pieces well before being released to the general public. Such as the new £1 coin set to be released in the UK this March, referred to as being “the most secure coin in the world” by the Royal Mint.
Each year a special guest is touted as the main highlight for the weekend, and this year the South African Mint gained that honour. Along with the Rand Refinery, speakers from both institutions gave talks on the SA Krugerrand, as 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of this well known coin. First minted in 1967, the Krugerrand has gone on to be one of the worlds most coveted bullion coins for both collectors and investors alike. A total of 52 million oz of gold has been minted into coins since it’s first inception.
Along with special guests, each year a member of the industry gains a lifetime achievement award. This year, the award went to Yu Min who is the senior designer at China’s Shanghai mint. Holder of many Coin of the Year awards, he is the mastermind behind the gold and silver pandas, China’s answer to the South African Krugerrand. Another favourite of collectors worldwide, particularly for their whimsy depiction of the animal, and differing design each year.
Finally, another feature of the fair is for the German Mint to showcase it’s new collectors coin. Last year, they revealed a 5 Euro coin with a blue polymer ring with a facsimile of the planet Earth on the reverse inside. Designers of the coin said it reflects the beautiful fragility of the planet we reside on and how the ozone is just a thin layer protecting us, a sentiment which sounds a tad too artsy for me, but the coin itself does look pretty nice in my personal opinion. This year, continuing the theme of the environment, they have showcased a new 5 Euro coin with a red polymer ring. This coin will be the first in a series of five, and will represent one of climate zones on Earth. The first coin represents the ‘Tropical Zone’. I will let you read the designers thoughts about what the image represents by clicking the link above. It still sounds a bit too artsy for my liking. I also much prefer last years design…
Numismatic Exploits 