Indian Coins Provide Close Shave

The Times of India reports that smugglers are bringing Five rupee coins into Bangladesh from India. These are then melted down to produce razor blades. As a result, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is to change the metal content of Rs 5 coins so it it will not be as lucrative to melt them down.

Spink's Coins of England & The UK 2010

The 45th edition of the standard catalogue of British coins is now available, published by Spink.

38th International Numismatic Convention

The 38th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention will be held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel from 8-10 January 2010. As usual there will a number of auctions held around the event. For full details visit website: http://www.nyinc.info/

U.S. Mint to Suspend Sales of Eagle Bullion Coin

The U.S. Mint, yesterday suspended sales of the American Eagle 1 ounce gold bullion coin. The recent increased demand for gold amongst investors has depleted the Mint's stock of Eagles. A memo sent to authorized dealers stated: "The United States Mint has depleted its current inventory of 2009 American Eagle 1-ounce gold bullion coins due to the continued strong demand for this product." It is expected that sales will commence again in early December. The price of gold reached a new high yesterday at a fraction under $1,190 an ounce.

Zachary Taylor $1 Coin

Yesterday at at a Zachary Taylor Appreciation Day held in Orange Va, a ceremony was held to launch the Zachary Taylor Presidential $1 coin. The event was sponsored by the James Madison Museum. Participants included Virgina Secretary of Education Thomas Morris, State Senator R. Edward "Edd" Houck , State Representative Edward Scott and Orange Mayor Henry Lee Carter. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of the former president and the reverse depicts an image of the Statue of liberty. Both designs were executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. Zachary Taylor was born in Orange County, Virgina, in 1784. He became the 12th President of the United States in 1848 after a long military career. However he died on July 4, 1850 having served just 16 months in office.

U.K. Coin Fairs

Forthcoming UK coin fairs: 2nd Dec CLICKCOLLECT (Banknotes,Coins, Stamps,Cards) Stowmarket football Club, Bury Road, Stowmarket. 5th Dec LINDA MONK FAIRS (Coins, Medals, Banknotes, Antiquities) Bloomsbury hotel, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London, WC1 3NN. 6th Dec CHELTENHAM COIN FAIR ( Stamps, Coins, Medals) The Regency Hotel, Cheltenham. 12th Dec MJ PROMOTIONS (Coins) City Hall, Cardiff. 12th Dec EAST GRINSTEAD FAIR Coins, Stamps, Medals, Postcards, Books) Large Parish Hall, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead. 13th Dec CLICKCOLLECT (Coins, Stamps, Postcards) Stanway Football Club, New Farm Road, Colchester. 13th Dec THE MIDLAND COIN FAIR (Coins, Medals, Banknotes) National Motorcycle Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham http://www.midlandcoinfair.co.uk/ 2nd Jan LINDA MONK FAIRS (Coins, Medals, Banknotes, Antiquities) Bloomsbury Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London, WC1 3NN. 10th Jan THE MIDLAND COIN FAIR (Coins, Medals, Banknotes) National Motorcycle Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham http://www.midlandcoinfair.co.uk/ 15th - 16th Jan YORK COIN & STAMP FAIR (Coins, Medals, Banknotes, Militaria) The Grandstand, York Racecourse http://www.stampshows.net/ 31st Jan LEEDS FAIR (Coins, Medals, Banknotes, Militaria) Cedar Court Hotel, Denby Dale Road, Calder Grove, Wakefield.

Final Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent

Yesterday The United States Mint launched the fourth and final 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent coin. A ceremony was held at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial which is below the west front of the U.S Capitol Building. The reverse of the coin depicts a partially built U.S. Capitol dome. United States Mint Director Ed Moy said, "The image of an incomplete U.S. Capitol symbolizes the unfinished business of a nation torn apart by slavery and the Civil War." The familiar portrait of President Lincoln by sculptor Victor Brenner will grace the obverse of the coin. The inscriptions on the obverse read: IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and 2009. This year has now seen the launch of four One-Cent coins with reverse designs honouring the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth and the centennial of the first issuance of the Lincoln Cent.