Chronology of World Coins

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.


1985

January 1
  • Great Britain demonetizes the 1/2-pence coin. [1135]
January 28
  • Superior Galleries conducts the auction of The Dr. Jerry Buss Collection Sale. Some highlights:
    • Aubrey and Adeline Bebee acquire the Idler specimen of the Class III 1804 Draped Bust dollar (MS-60+) for US$308,000;
    • Reed Hawn buys at auction the Olsen specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel (PR-63) for $385,000.
    [450.73] [560.22] [686.18] [772.52] [1033.13]
(month unknown)
  • Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1983 contest. Coin of the Year is the US Olympic silver dollar. [732.30]
July 9
  • The Liberty-Ellis Island Commemorative Coin Act and Silver Bullion Coin Act of 1985 become law, authorizing a one-ounce 0.999 fine silver bullion coin. [474.215]
October 11
  • US President Ronald Reagan bans importation of South African gold bullion coins. [538.34] [923.44]
December 17
  • US President Ronald Reagan signs the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-185) directing Treasury to issue 0.9167 fine gold bullion coins: $50 (one ounce), $25 (half ounce), $10 (quarter ounce), $5 (tenth ounce). The gold is to be acquired from natural deposits in the US or territory or possession when possible, and when not, from the US reserves. Profits from sales would be used to pay down the national debt. [474.205] [494.5] [684.20]

1986

  • Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1984 contest. Coin of the Year is the Canada $100 Jacques Cartier gold coin. [732.30]
February 3
  • The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is founded in the USA. [474.108] [605.80]
(month unknown)
  • Australia introduces the Nugget 1-ounce 0.999 fine gold bullion coin. [794.147]
  • Colombia adds a 50-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
October 20
  • The US Mint launches the American Eagle 0.9167 fine gold bullion coin program. [436.72] [684.18]

1987

  • Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1986 contest. Coin of the Year is the Finland 50-markkaa Kalevala silver coin. [732.30]
February 25
  • Teletrade introduces sight-unseen third-party graded auctions. [480.56]
June 30
  • In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint releases the new "Loonie" $1 coin for circulation, depicting a loon resting on a lake. The coin is smaller than the nickel $1 coin, eleven-sided, and made of bronze. [3]
August 12
  • The British Royal Mint begins to issue the Britannia 1-ounce 0.9167 fine gold bullion coin. [501.84] [794.148]
August
  • Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America launches its coin grading service. [474.109]

    vvv advertisement vvv

    ^^^ advertisement ^^^
September 28
  • Singapore releases aluminum-bronze dollar coins to circulation. [515.40]
November 9
  • In Geneva Switzerland, the Habsburg, Feldman S.A. company conducts an auction of the 1613 1000-mohur gold coin of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir (21 cm diameter, 11.9kg, world's largest coin) and 1639 100-mohur gold coin of Shah Jahan (96 mm diameter, 1.1kg weight). The coins are bid to US$8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, but not sold. [408.74]

1988

  • Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1987 contest. Coin of the Year is the US $5 Statue of Liberty gold coin. [732.30]
March 11
  • British pound note ceases to be legal tender, replaced by one-pound coin. [605.22] [794.42]
July 3
  • Spink-Taisei in Tokyo sells a British 1847 Victoria Gothic, Plain Edge gold crown pattern graded AU (one of two known) for the equivalent of US$210,000, a record for a UK coin. [464.4]
August 22
  • Australia unveils first platinum coin (Koala). [1]
September 20
  • GoldCorp Australia begins sales of legal tender 0.9995 fine platinum bullion Koala coin series, in weights and face values of 1/10 ounce ($15), 1/4 ounce ($25), 1/2 ounce ($50), and 1 ounce ($100). [1037.1958] [1039.22]

1989

  • Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1988 contest. Coin of the Year is the Great Britain 100-pound Britannia gold coin. [732.30]
March 2
  • Aubrey and Adeline Bebee donate their 1913 Liberty Head nickel to the American Numismatic Association. The coin is appraised at $1 million. [450.72]
April 3
  • Giessener Münzhandlung of Germany auctions a Thessaly circa 369-358 B.C.E. silver stater, Extremely Fine for 180,000 German marks (US$106,325). [638.10]
(month unknown)
  • The Dexter pedigree 1804 US dollar coin sells for US$990,000, a world record price for a rare coin. [352.24] [525.78] [604.49]
  • Austria introduces the Vienna Philharmonic 1-ounce 0.9999 fine gold bullion 2000-schilling coin. [794.148]
  • Australia changes its gold bullion coin to the Kangaroo Nugget coin. [794.147]
October
  • The Austrian Mint begins selling the Vienna Philharmonic gold bullion coin series in Austrian banks. Two sizes are available, one-ounce pure gold, and a 1/4-ounce coin. [1835.26]

1990

January
  • World Coin News announces the category winners of the Coin of the Year 1988 contest. The Coin of the Year will then be chosen from these coins:
    • Most Historically Significant Coin: Hungary 1988 Saint Stephan 500-forint coin;
    • Best Crown: Hungary 1988 World Wildlife Fund 500-forint coin;
    • Best Gold Coin: Egypt 1988 Golden Warrior 100-pound coin;
    • Best Silver Coin: China 1988 Year of the Dragon 100-yuan coin;
    • Most Artistic Coin: Switzerland 1988 Olympics 5-franc coin;
    • Most Innovative Concept: Albania 50-lek coin with hole in planchet representing train tunnel on both sides;
    • Best Trade Coin: Australia 50-cent bicentennial coin;
    • Most Popular Coin: US $1 Olympics coin.
    [742.16]
February 6
  • Henry A. Merton of New York receives a US patent on computerized coin grading. [572.70]
(month unknown)
  • World Coin News announces the winner of the Coin of the Year 1988 contest: Albania 50-lek coin with hole in planchet representing train tunnel on both sides. [744.20]
May 28
  • Superior Galleries conducts the Boys Town Sale coin auction in Beverly Hills California. The King of Siam Proof Set (with 1804 silver dollar) sells for $3.19 million, highest price paid for a single auction lot in numismatic history. Total sale is $21.5 million, highest grossing one-part numismatic auction to date. [623.10]
June
  • Sotheby's auctions a Roman circa 135 C.E. Hadrian bronze sestertius, one of five known in "Good Extremely Fine" condition for US$214,500, a record for a Roman bronze coin. [464.5]
June 19
  • (to June 22) Sotheby's conducts the first auction of ancient coin collection of Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt, in New York. An Agrigentum (ancient Greece) decadrachm, circa 409-406 BC, sells for $572,000, record price for a non-US coin, and for a Greek coin, and a Heradeidas tetradrachm sells for $340,000. [743.20] [745.20] [1073.5]
June 27
  • Great Britain introduces new smaller 5-pence coin. [506.40]
(month unknown)
  • Numismatic Fine Arts sells at auction a Roman gold aureus struck by Brutus, circa 43 B.C.E., one of two known, for US$605,000, a record for an ancient coin. [604.50]
July 9
  • MTB Banking Corporation of New York sells a US $20 coin, 1907, Ultra High Relief, Proof-68 NGC, for over $1.5 million, a price record for a single US coin. [1049.1581]
August 2
  • US President signs executive order banning importation of ancient coins and antiquities from Iraq. [465.62]

1991

January 29
  • Denmark adds a 25-øre coin to circulation. [443.60]
January 31
  • A Canadian government official announces that the Royal Canadian Mint would issue 12 different circulating 25-cent coins and a circulating dollar coin to mark the 125th anniversary of Confederation in 1992. [525.15]
(month unknown)
  • World Coin News announces winners of the individual categories in the Coin of the Year 1989 contest. Overall winner will be selected from these coins:
    • Best Trade Coin, Most Popular Coin, and tied for Most Artistic Coin: France 5-franc Eiffel Tower coin;
    • Most Historically Significant Coin and tied for Most Artistic Coin: Great Britain gold sovereign, 500th annivarsary of the sovereign;
    • tied for Most Artistic Coin: Israel 2-sheqalim silver coin, 41st anniversary of Israel;
    • Best Gold Coin: Austria 2000-schilling Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra coin;
    • Best Silver Coin: Australia 1988 $1 holey dollar and 25-cent dump;
    • Best Crown: Spain 5000-peseta coin, 00th anniversary of discovery of North America by Columbus.
    [746.16]
  • World Coin News announces the winner of the Coin of the Year 1989 contest: France 1989 Eiffel Tower copper-nickel 5-franc coin. [757.20]
December
  • Pacific Rarities sells a US 1838 $10 gold coin, Proof-65, one of three known, for $1,025,000. [604.48]

1992

  • Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1990 contest. Coin of the Year is the Isle of Man 1990 1 crown 150th anniversary of the Penny Black first adhesive postage stamp. [1055.319]
March 16
  • Spink in London sells at auction an Australian 1920-S gold sovereign, Good Extremely Fine, for 114,400 pounds (US$195,200). [917.18] [1069.54]
(month unknown)
  • Colombia adds a 100-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]

1993

  • Krause Publications announces the winner of its Coin of the Year 1991 competition: Italy 500-lira silver coin featuring the Milvian Bridge, for the 2100th anniversary of its construction. [1061.320]
February
  • Superior Galleries auctions the King of Siam Proof set (including Class I 1804 dollar) for $1.815 million to Dwight Manley. [525.78]
June 5
  • Great Britain abandons the florin coin. [411.46]
June 30
  • Last day of legal tender status of older larger version of British 10-pence coin. [1063.1226]
(month unknown)
  • David Queller purchases Class I 1804 Draped Bust dollar for US$475,000 at Stack's Reed Hawn Collection auction. [404.50]
  • Hungary strikes forint-denominated coins in new sizes, weights, and compositions. Denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 forint. [1078.1670]
July 29
  • At the ANA 102nd Anniversary Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, Krause Publications presents awards to winners of its Coin of the Year program (for 1991-dated coins).
    • Coin of the Year, and Most Artistic: Italy 500-lira silver coin commemorating the Milvian Bridge Anniversary.
    • Best Crown: France 100-franc silver coin depicting Olympic Ski Jumpers.
    • Best Gold: Japan 100,000-yen coin depicting Emperor Enthronement.
    • Best Trade: Portugal 200-escudo coin depicting Garcia De Orta.
    • Most Popular: Australia $5 silver coin depicting a Kookaburra.
    • Most Historically Significant: USSR 3-roubles silver coin tribute to Yuri Gagarin.
    • Best Silver, and Most Innovative Coinage Concept: Albania 10-leke silver coin depicting Olympic Horse and Rider.
    [1064.1362]
August 2
  • A fishing net of the Mistake vessel snags on the underwater wreck of the El Cazador, 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana in 300 feet of water. The ship sunk in 17984 carrying 450,000 pesos in coins. [505.91]
October 14
  • Stack's auctions the Reed Hawn Collection; the Mickley specimen of the Class I US 1804 Draped Bust dollar sells for $475,000. The Reed Hawn US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin sells for $875,000. [488.60] [525.78] [560.22] [686.18]
October
  • Dave's Coin and Stamp Company of Kansas sells the Adams Class III specimen of the 1804 dollar for $485,000. [525.79]

1994

  • Colombia adds a 200-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]

1995

  • Krause Publications announces the winners of its Coin of the Year 1993 program:
    • Coin of the Year, and Best Gold Coin: France gold 500-franc commemorating 200th anniversary of the Louvre museum.
    • Most Artistic: Austria silver 500-schilling honoring Hallstatt.
    • Most Historically Significant: France silver franc commemorating the June 1944 Normandy invasion.
    • Best Silver: China 150-yuan depicting peacocks.
    • Best Crown: Fiji silver $10 depicting Captain William Bligh.
    • Best Trade Coin: Czech Republic bi-metallic 50-korun depicting Prague.
    • Most Popular Coin: Gibraltar copper-nickel crown, depicting a stegosaurus.
    • Most Innovative Coinage Concept: Andorra silver 20-diner/ecu of Saint George.
    • Most Inspirational Coin: Poland 300,000-zlotych commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
    [1081.419]

1996

February 19
  • In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint releases a $2 circulating coin, depicting a polar bear on an ice flow. The coin is Canada's first bi-metallic coin, with a core of aluminum bronze, and an outer ring of pure nickel. At the same time, the Bank of Canada ceases production of $2 notes. [3]
May 21
  • Auctions by Bowers and Merena sells the Louis Eliasberg US 1913 Liberty Head nickel for US$1.485 million, a record for a single coin at auction. [486.64] [495.36] [525.78]
(month unknown)
  • Colombia adds a 1000-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
December 16
  • Sotheby's sells at auction Sam Bloomfield's USA 1907 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coin, Ultra High Relief, Roman Numerals, Proof, for US$825,000. [525.79] [607.30]

1997

January 8
  • Bowers and Merena Rarities, in Orlando, Florida auction a 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Ultra-High Relief, Roman Numerals gold double eagle, PR-67 PCGS, for $660,000. [525.79]
January 10
  • Italy's new 1,000-lire coin incorrectly shows divided Germany on map. [1]
April 8
  • The Stickney-Eliasberg pedigree US 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar sells for US$1.815 million, a record for a single coin at auction. A US 1885 Trade dollar, Proof, finest of 5 known, sells for $907,500 to Jay Parrino. [352.24] [486.64] [525.79]
October 21
  • (to October 23) David Akers Numismatics auctions part of the Pittman Collection. A 10-coin 1843 Proof set of US coins sells for US$412,500. [505.24]

1998

March
  • At the 20th International Mint Directors Conference in Sun City, South Africa, Krause Publications presents the 1996 Coin of the Year awards:
  • Coin of the Year: Bermuda $60 Bermuda Triangle gold coin;
      Best Crown: Austria 500-schilling Innsbruck silver coin;
    Best Contemporary Event Coin: Bosnia-Herzegovina 14-euro Dayton Peace Accord silver coin;
      Best Trade Coin: Canada $2 polar bear coin;
    Most Popular Coin: Canada $2 polar bear coin;
      Most Artistic Coin: Finland 100-markkaa Helen Schuerbeck commemorative silver coin;
    Most Historically Significant Coin: Israel 30 new sheqalim silver coin marking the 3000th anniversary of Jerusalem;
      Best Silver Coin: Russia 100-ruble The Nutcracker ballet coin;
    Most Inspirational Coin: US $1 Paralympic athletes silver coin.
  • [1104.755]
May 11
  • The first euro coins are minted in Pessac, France. Because the final specifications for the coins were not finished in 1998, they will have to be melted and minted again in 1999. [19] [408.32] [494.60]
(month unknown)
  • Heritage Rare Coin Galleries sells the Ed Trompeter US gold coin collection for $15 million in a private transaction, a record for a private transaction of coins. [764.1]
November 18
  • European Parliament proposes production of gold 100-euro coins. [454.64]

1999

January
  • The US Mint launches the 50-state 25-cent coin series by releasing the Delaware coin to circulation. About 750 million coins have been produced. [343.11]
(month unknown)
  • Krause Publications announces winners of its Coin of the Year 1997 program:
    • Coin of the Year: South Africa 1-rand Protea silver bullion coin;
    • Most Artistic: South Africa 1-rand Protea silver bullion coin;
    • Best Contemporary Event: South Africa 1-rand first heart transplant gold coin;
    • Most Historically Significant Coin: Canada $100 Alexander Graham Bell gold coin;
    • Best Gold Coin: Canada $200 Haida mask gold coin;
    • Best Silver Coin: Austria 100-schilling Emperor Maximilian of Mexico silver coin;
    • Best Crown: Great Britain 2-pound Britannia 1-ounce silver bullion coin;
    • Best Trade Coin: Poland 2-zlote Pieskowa Skala Castle brass coin;
    • Most Popular Coin: US $100 Statue of Liberty platinum bullion coin;
    • Most Innovative Coinage Concept: Kiribati and Western Samoa jointly, interlocking two-piece silver $5 coin, commemorating war and peace;
    • Most Inspirational Coin: Sierra Leone 10-leone Mother Theresa and Princess Diana coin.
    [1106.367]
May 25
  • In London, England, Spink auctions an Al-Walid dinar coin of year 92 A.H. for 308,000 pounds (US$490,000), a record for an Islamic coin sold at auction. [1108.994]
June 16
  • Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles auctions a US 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Ultra-High Relief, Roman Numerals gold double eagle, PR-67 PCGS, for $1.21 million to Tangible Asset Galleries, the first $1 million coin at auction. [525.79]
(month unknown)
  • Jay Parrino sells a US 1885 Trade dollar, Proof, finest of 5 known, for $1.5 million to Legend Numismatics. [525.79]
July 23
  • Space shuttle Columbia blasts off, carrying 12 Proof 2000-W Sacagawea half-ounce 0.9167 fine gold dollar pieces into space. [464.52]
August 29
  • (to August 30) In New York City, New York, Auctions by Bowers and Merena conducts the sale of The Walter H. Childs Collection. The Sultan of Muscat Class I specimen of the US 1804 $1 coin graded PR-68 sells for US$4,140,000, a world record price for a coin. [352.24] [404.14] [520.52] [525.79] [1108.865]
Year
  • Total sales of Austrian gold bullion coins: 7 million coins. [1835.26]

2000

January 27
  • The US Mint releases a new circulating dollar coin, depicting Sacagawea. [353.7] [464.50] [473.58]
(month unknown)
  • Stack's auctions the Dexter-Dunham US 1804 silver dollar coin for $1.84 million. [525.78]

2001

March 9
  • At an auction in Salt Lake City, Utah, Superior Galleries sells a US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin to Dwight Manley for US$1.84 million. [548.18]
(month unknown)
  • Superior sells at auction a US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin graded Proof 66 for $1.84 million. [525.78]
September 24
  • Thieves with Kalashnikov assault rifles and a wrecking ball break into a cash depository in Bari, Italy, stealing US$4.16 million worth of euro coins. [491.110]
November 12
  • (to November 13) Stack's of New York sells at auction the finest known 1893-S Morgan dollar for US$414,000, second highest price paid for a Morgan dollar at auction. [464.5]

2002

January 1
  • Euro notes and coins are issued in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Ireland and the Netherlands, replacing those countries' currencies. [23] [37] [129] [395.58] [473.46]
January 28
  • The Dutch guilder expires as valid currency. [605.185]
February 9
  • The Irish pound expires as valid currency. [605.185]
February 17
  • The French franc expires as valid currency. [605.185]
February 28
  • The Austrian schilling, Belgian franc, Finnish mark, German mark, Greek drachm, Italian lira, Luxembourg franc, Portuguese escudo, and Spanish peseta expires as valid currencies. [23] [605.185]
April
  • At an auction in Beijing, China, a 1910 Yunnan Spring dollar, possibly unique, graded MS-65, sells for 1,089,000 yuan (about US$150,000), the first coin to sell for more than 1 million yuan in China. [474.197]
July 30
  • Sotheby's in New York in conjunction with Stack's auctions the King Farouk specimen of the US 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle for $7,590,020, a world record for a single coin at auction. The $20 represents a $20 Federal Reserve note paid by auctioneer David Redden to Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore to officially monetize the coin. [421.68] [436.82] [486.64] [548.79,164] [783.92]

2003

January 13
  • At auction in New York City, a Canadian 1911 silver dollar pattern sells for US$1 million. A 1936 dot 1-cent sells for $353,000, a new record for any North American small cent. [3] [684.192]
January
  • Legend Numismatics (New Jersey) purchases the Olsen specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent piece for over $1.84 million from Spectrum Numismatics (California). [560.18]
February 24
  • Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles sells a 1943-D copper Lincoln cent graded MS-64 by PCGS for US$212,750, a record for any small cent. [438.93] [492.50]
April
  • In China, about 5 tons of coins from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 C.E.) are discovered in the Jialing River. The coins may have been from a tax ship that sank. [326.21]
April 23
  • US President George W. Bush signs legislation authorizing changes to the design of the 5-cent coin through 2005, to commemorate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. [324.7]
May
  • A British 1663 crown pattern, one of 16 known, sells at auction for 138,000 pounds (US$278,290), a record for a British silver coin. [768.80]
May 23
  • US coin dealer Paul Montgomery announces a $1 million bounty for the missing 1913 Liberty Head nickel. [412.84]
June 1
  • In China, a farmer in Sichuan Province discovers a hoard of thousands of ancient coins, stacked 2 metres high, and 1.5 metres diameter, weighing at least 7 tons. The coins mostly date to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 C.E.). [326.21]
July 29
  • Edward C. Lee buys the Eliasberg specimen of the US 1913 Liberty Head nickel for nearly $3 million from the California Gold Marketing Group. [560.18]
August
  • In the Asukaike Ruins in village Asuka, Nara Prefecture of Japan, 33 bronze coins are unearthed. They date to 694, making them the oldest known Japanese coins. [344.10]
  • Bowers and Merena auctions the Adams-Carter specimen of the Class III 1804 Draped Bust dollar for US$1,207,500. [488.18]
October 14
  • Stack's of New York conducts the auction of the John J. Ford Junior Collection, part one. (After 23 auctions of coins, tokens, currency, and numismatic books, the total price realized is $58 million, a record for a single collection.) [768.66]
October
  • In China, over 3000 ancient coins are unearthed at Leifing Tower in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. [326.21]

2004

January
  • At auction, a Russian 1825 Grand Duke Constantine pattern silver ruble sells for a record US$603,750. [443.72]
March
  • The US Mint releases a circulating 5-cent coin for the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. [342.26]
May 20
  • The Olsen specimen of the US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent piece (Proof 64 NGC) is sold for $3 million. [560.18] [686.18]
June
  • Heritage Auction Galleries sells at public auction a US 1856-O Coronet double eagle gold coin Proof for US$542,800. [506.5]
July 8
  • (to July 9) Bowers and Merena Auctions conduct the auction of Jim Gray's North Carolina Collection. Some highlights:
    • US 1870-S half dime, unique, MS-63 NGC: US$661,250;
    • US 1873-CC Seated Liberty dime, No Arrows, MS-65 NGC: US$891,250.
    [420.78] [518.38]
October 5
  • The Austrian Mint begins producing the world's largest gold coin, the 1000-ounce Vienna Philharmonic gold coins with face value 100,000 euros, 37 cm in diameter, dubbed "Big Phil", to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Austria's Philharmonic gold bullion coin program. [408.72] [1835.27]
October 21
  • The Royal Canadian Mint releases a circulating 25-cent coin featuring a black and red colored poppy. This is the world's first colorized business-strike coin in circulation. [3]
November 8
  • Heritage Numismatic Auctions sells a US 50-cent coin, 1919-D MS-66 for US$270,250. [303.31]
November
  • A US 1885 Trade Dollar graded Proof-63 sells at auction for US$1,006,250. [505.56]
November 30
  • American Coin Rarities auctions a 1793 Flowing Hair, Wreath, Strawberry Leaf cent for US$414,000. [473.4]

2005

January 12
  • Steven Contursi and Donald Kagin purchase the unique (US) 1787 Brasher gold doubloon with "EB" punch on breast for US$2,990,000, third highest price ever paid for a rare coin at public auction. [421.125] [548.79] [747.38] [769.78] [1083.22]
January
  • Heritage Auction Galleries sells a 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Ultra High Relief double eagle for nearly $3 million. [548.79]
April 18
  • In New York City, New York, American Numismatic Rarities auctions a Venetian 50-zecchini coin of Doge Alvise Mocenigo IV (1763-78) for US$379,500. [304.31]
April 19
  • The US Mint announces plans to produce 24-karat gold bullion coins in 2006. [304.29]
June 2
  • At the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, a US $20 gold coin, 1927-D PCGS MS-66 sells for US$1.65 million. [304.28]
June
  • American Numismatic Rarities auctions a US 1796 Capped Bust, No Stars quarter eagle MS-65 for $1,380,000. [548.79] [781.1]
(month unknown)
  • Steven Contursi of Rare Coin Wholesalers purchases the King of Siam Proof set (including Class I US 1804 dollar) for $8.5 million. [525.78]
November
  • Heritage Auction Galleries auctions the Philip Morse collection of Saint-Gaudens double eagles. A 1907 Saint-Gaudens gold $20 coin, Ultra High Relief, Lettered Edge, Roman Numerals, graded PR-69 by NGC and PCGS, sells for US$2,990,000. [768.78] [908.4]

2006

March
  • The Adams-Carter specimen of the Class III 1804 Draped Bust dollar is sold in a private transaction for US$2.475 million. [488.60] [495.4]
April 11
  • Kurt Jaggard Monetary Auction in Australia sells an Australian 1920-S gold sovereign, uncirculated, for a record AU$582,500 (US$426,796). [917.18] [1069.54]
April
  • Heritage Auctions sells a 1792 half disme graded SP-67 by PCGS for US$1,322,500. [435.60] [768.80]
  • Kurt Jaggard Monetary Auctions in Sydney, Australia, sells a 1920 Sydney Mint sovereign AU$582,500 (US$420,000). [464.10]
June
  • Spink in London sells at auction a British 1344 Edward III double-florin for 460,000 pounds (US$841,800), a record price for a British coin. [455.84] [464.10]
June 20
  • The USA introduces the American Buffalo 1-ounce 0.9999 fine gold bullion coin. [436.72] [794.147]
July 10
  • Scuba divers begin recovering coins from the wreck of the SS New York sidewheel steamer, which sank off the Louisiana coast in 1846. Wholesale estimated value of the US gold coins alone is $1.5 million. [411.18]
October 7
  • The Bank of Slovenia unveils new coinage designs. [552.48]
December 18
  • Bank of Korea releases new smaller, lighter 10-won coins to circulation. [463.42]

2007

January 9
  • A Greek 467-465 BCE silver decadrachm of Athens sells for US$575,000, a record for a Greek coin. [504.28]
February 15
  • Venezuela President Hugo Chavez announces the country's coins and paper money will be re-denominated effect next January 1. [601.58]
March 16
  • In Charlotte, North Carolina, Heritage Galleries sells at auction a 1920-S gold $10 coin, graded MS-67 by PCGS, finest known, for US$1,725,000. [768.78]
March 25
  • Thirteen Eurozone nations release the first joint circulating 2-euro coin. [395.64]
April
  • At an auction in Beijing, China, a 1910 Yunnan Spring dollar, possibly unique, graded MS-65, sells for 3,192,000 yuan (about US$468,000). [474.197]
April 25
  • A USA 1913 Liberty Head nickel, graded PR-66 by PCGS, is sold in a private sale to $5 million, second highest amount ever paid for a single US coin. [560.18] [768.78]
May
  • A Chinese 1929 Sun Yat Sen gold pattern coin sells at auction for 6,160,000 yuan (about US$900,000), a record price for a Chinese coin at auction. [515.10] [617.151]
(month unknown)
  • Russia introduces the St. George the Victorious 1/4-ounce 0.999 fine gold bullion 50-ruble coin. [794.149]
  • A hoard of 17,660 coins in eight money bags is unearthed on Beau Street in Bath, England. The coins date from 32 BC to 274 AD. [822.10] [1459.128]
July 3
  • Ghana redenominates its currency at 1 Ghana cedi for 10,000 old cedi, and issues new coins denominated 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 new pesewas and 1 Ghana cedi. [511.36] [762.66]
July 16
  • The US State Department imposes restrictions on importation of ancient coins "of Cypriot types" issued before 225 BCE. [405.18]
August 17
  • Heritage Auction Galleries sells a USA 1907 Saint-Gaudens gold $20 coin, Ultra High Relief, Lettered Edge, Roman Numerals, graded PR-69 by NGC and PCGS, for over $3 million to Certified Assets Management. [768.78]
September 23
  • (to September 26) Ira and Larry Goldberg conducts the Pre-Long Beach Sale of rare coins. A US 1921 $20 gold coin, graded MS-65 PCGS sells for US$1,102,000. [762.53]
September 26
  • An 1804 gold $10 coin, one of four known in Proof, graded PR-65 ultra cameo by NGC, sells for $5 million in a private transaction. [768.78]
September 27
  • At a Spink auction in London, England, a 1663 British crown coin pattern, one of 16 known, sells for 207,100 pounds (about US$417,600), a record price for a British silver coin at auction. [394.42] [768.80]
October 1
  • The National Bank of Serbia begins withdrawing 50-para coins from circulation. [782.66]
October
  • Stack's auctions a US 1894-S Barber dime in Proof 64 condition for $1,552,500. [548.79]
October 16
  • Stack's of New York conducts the 23rd and final auction of the John J. Ford Junior Collection. After 23 auctions of coins, tokens, currency, and numismatic books, the total price realized is $58 million, a record for a single collection. [768.66]
October 25
  • Denmark issues the fifth and last of a series of 10-krone circulating coins celebrating the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen; this coin marks The Nightingale, depicting a bird on a blossoming cherry tree in China. [392.25]
November 14
  • Legend Numismatics sells a collection of over 1000 US pattern coins for over $30 million in a private transaction, double the previous record for a private transaction of coins. [764.1]
November
  • Heritage Auction Galleries sells a US 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle MS-67 for $1,897,500. [548.79]

End of 1985-2007. Next: 2008.

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A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 2010-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/coinhist/world/
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