Ancient Greek coins are similar in appearance to modern ones. For a period of 1000 years and considering the small cities states and the colonies we can assume that there exists a rich set of different coins. The drachma (Δραχμή) was a currency that also the new Greek State adopted and that is now replaced by the EURO. This ends the history of the drachma which lasted for more than 1 millennium.
Like other manufactured products in ancient Greece, Greek coins were made by hand. A blank metal circular “flan” was …

The British Trade Dollar was issued from around 1895 to 1935. This coin was quite popular and used in Singapore and Hong Kong to stop other countries’ silver dollars from being circulated in British colonies. This coin was known as Ringgit Tongkat in Malaya.

The British Trade Dollar appeared in China as a result of the Opium Wars (1839-1843, 1856-1860), when China tried to stop Britain from selling opium to its citizens. The looser of the Opium War, China, opened up a number of ports to British, including Hong Kong. As …

To conclude its 6-coin “Austrian Railways” series, the Austrian Mint is now issuing a 20-Euro silver commemorative coin dedicated to the “Railway of the Future”.

In the 15 decades of its existence the railway has revolutionised the transportation and through it, the economies of the world and the life styles of its peoples. Neither the spectacular developments in motor road transport or in flying have detracted from the railways pivotal position in the modern world of travel. In passenger travel the watchwords of the future are speed and comfort.
The “Shinkansen” …

The Australian Koala Silver Coin Series, first introduced in silver in 2007, has quickly become a favorite around the world. The furry marsupial is native to Australia and has quickly become iconic of the country.

The reverse portrays a Koala Bear (Phascolarctos cinereus) sitting on a branch eating eucalyptus leaves. Underneath the animal is the size of the coin (1/2 oz, 1 oz, 10 oz, 1 kilo) and “999 Silver”.
The obverse contains a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with “Elizabeth II”, “Australia”, “2010″ and the denomination surrounding.
No mintage limit has been …

By Mark Benvenuto, Coins Magazine

Morgan Silver Dollar
Peace Silver Dollar
Seated Liberty Silver Dollar
Spanish Colonial Eight Reales
Mexican “Cap and Rays” Silver Peso
Canadian Silver Dollar
U.S. Trade Dollar
British Trade Dollar
British Crown
Maria Theresa Thaler

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