SOVEREIGNS FROM THE ROYAL MINT MAKE HISTORY AT FIRST STRIKE

Yet another amazing and historic offering from GovMint is now available to collectors, as the company announces that it has secured worldwide exclusivity for the First Strike issue of 2011 Gold Sovereign Proofs from the Royal Mint. This is the first time in its history that the Britain’s Royal Mint has made any coin available as a First Strike edition and brings even greater luster to an already classic coin.

The intrinsic value of First Strike coins is well understood by the discerning collector, who knows that coins struck from freshly engraved and polished dies are likely to be of superior quality and beauty to coins struck at a later time.

First Strikes are, by definition, incredibly limited in their number due in essence to the stringent thirty day restriction placed upon them, and the coins offered by GovMint are further qualified by the careful and caring independent grading process through which they have been passed. The coins that GovMint is making available have been graded by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) as either First Strike PR70 or First Strike PR69. Only an incredibly small total of 119 five-piece sets and the same number of four-piece sets have been assembled by GovMint and approved by PCGS as PR70. Quantities of PR69 individual coins and three-coin and four-coin sets are also available.

Incredible as it may seem, the British gold sovereign first came into being in 1489 – three years before Columbus discovered America. Henry VII had defeated the usurper Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, an event that marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of an era of prosperity for England.

Henry VII, now one of the great monarchs of Europe, recognized the need for a large and handsome gold coin conveying the majesty of the throne, augmenting the dignity of the King as well as serving in an international capacity. The sovereign was not only intended to be prestigious but also a means of storing and transporting wealth, especially in international trade.

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Such was Henry’s interest in his new coin, that it quickly became known as “the sovereign”, as it continues to this day. The coin went through numerous changes in value and fineness after Henry’s death, while after the accession of James I it disappeared for about 150 years before reappearing in 1817 with the now classic engraving of St. George Slaying the Dragon by the Italian sculptor Benedetto Pistrucci. The splendid new sovereign was destined to become the centerpiece of British coinage and came to epitomize Britain’s power and an empire “on which the sun never set”.

During the long reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) the sovereign reached new heights of importance. It became respected worldwide for its accuracy and fineness – something for which the Royal Mint is still acclaimed in all its coins.

Discussing the First Strike Sovereign Proofs now offered by GovMint, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Randy Geyen, emphasized the very strong relationship between GovMint and the Royal Mint. “Because of this solid relationship we were able to negotiate to receive all of the first strike coins – we have every single one of them! Every coin has been graded by PCGS and they are not available from any other source. Frankly we feel very privileged to be able to offer these magnificent coins to collectors”.

Detailed information on pricing and availability of these First Strike Sovereign Proofs and on other GovMint coins can be easily obtained by visiting http://www.govmint.com or by calling GovMint at (800)-721-0346 (24 hours a day).
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Editor’s Note:
Total worldwide mintages and specifications of the five coins in the sovereign range are:
Denomination Alloy weight (grams) diameter (mm) Total Mintage
Five Pounds 916.7au 39.94 36.02 2,000

Double-Sovereign
Two Pounds 916.7au 15.97 28.40 2.750

Sovereign (£1) 916.7au 7.98 22.05 16,000

Half-Sovereign 916.7au 3.99 19.30 7,000

Quarter Sovereign 916.7au 1.99 13.50 25,000

Images are attached. For more information concerning this Press Release please Contact:
Michael Sedgwick/Karen Ann Chaffee: 845-677-6112 or by e-mail at Orchardcommunications@gmail.com

LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING

Collectors might want to leap, run or sprint to their computers as GovMint announces the address for their new London Olympic Games Website:

http://www.govmint.com/london2012

As the 2012 Games approach at an alarming pace, one important piece of preparation is now finalized as far as collectors in the United States are concerned. GovMint’s original website underwent revisions in order to meet the requirements of the International Olympic Committee.

In announcing the new and approved site Chief Marketing Officer Randy Geyen expressed delight that collectors can now have a clear view of the wide and exciting array of the London Olympic Games coins produced by The Royal Mint and offered exclusively in the United States by GovMint.

Geyen continued: “The Royal Mint has selected GovMint as authorized distributor for the London Olympic Games Commemorative Coin Program, with distribution rights for the United States. In a law enacted by Congress in 1978, the United States Olympic Committee was given exclusive rights over the use of Olympic-related marks, images and terminology in the United States. Only through a license granted by the USOC can another person, company, or entity use these protected Olympic Games assets or sell Olympic Games product in the U.S. The Royal Mint itself cannot sell London Olympic Games coins directly into the United States without a license from the USOC. Naturally GovMint is extremely proud to have been asked by The Royal Mint to undertake this role.”

GovMint – the largest US distributor for the highly successful Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games, has become the pre-eminent source for these magnificent Royal Mint issues in the United States, offering a truly exciting range of products that collectors can preview online at http://www.govmint.com/london2012 and enjoy the commemorative coins as they become available ahead of the London Olympic Games.

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Detailed information on pricing and availability can be easily obtained by visiting http://www.govmint.com/london2012
or by calling GovMint at (800)-721-0346 (24 hours a day).

About GovMint

GovMint.com is America’s premier distributor of coins worldwide. Founded in 1984, the Minnesota Company was the leading U.S. distributor for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. GovMint is also a marketing partner of Odyssey Marine Exploration, the world leader in deep-ocean shipwreck recovery. Its 360 employees are located in four different Minnesota locations, including its headquarters in Burnsville, MN, and in Richmond, VA. It sells over 2,000 different coins through its website, mailings, catalog, radio, magazines/newspapers, and call centers.

For more information concerning this Press Release Please Contact:
Michael Sedgwick/Karen Ann Chaffee: 845-677-6112 or by e-mail at Orchardcommunications@gmail.com

 Continuing their series of “first time ever” offerings, GovMint.com has announced the availability in the United States of the first year issue 2010 High Relief Silver Proof Kangaroo Piedfort struck by the Perth Mint.

 The magnificent 2010 dated one ounce silver Proofs have a fineness of .999Ag and weigh    31.1 grams.  The diameter is 32.6 millimeters, while the double thickness of the piedfort is             6.0 millimeters.  Total mintage for worldwide distribution is 20,000 pieces.  Each coin has been carefully struck in superb High Relief Proof condition, making this an exceptional opportunity for collectors. 

  GovMint was selected by the Perth Mint to be the exclusive U.S. distributor for the 2010 High Relief Silver Kangaroo coins.  Working with Perth Mint, GovMint was able to secure the only First Strike High Relief Kangaroo coins.  GovMint’s Chief Marketing Officer, Randy Geyen was particularly enthusiastic about the coins.  “This is the first time in the history of the Perth Mint that the Kangaroo has been depicted on a silver (double thickness) piedfort coin.  The 2010 Silver Kangaroo also represents the first time in Australian history that a silver bullion coin has been issued as a High Relief Proof.  The fact that it is a piedfort only adds to that distinction!  Finally, we are particularly proud that GovMint is the only source for the First Strike Proof piedforts.”

 Geyen went on to point out that the High Relief coins are available from GovMint in two versions.    The First Strike piedforts are limited to just 1,000 pieces.  “Knowing that many collectors would inevitably be disappointed, we obtained additional High Relief Proofs that do not carry the First Strike certification.  These will be offered to collectors after we sell through the small quantity of First   Strike Proofs.”

 The price of the First Strike Kangaroo Silver Proof Piedfort is ……………… .$129.00

The Price of the non-First Strike Kangaroo Silver Proof Piedfort is ……………$  99.95

 More detailed information on pricing and availability of these Piedforts and on other GovMint coins can be easily obtained by visiting http://www.govmint.com  or by calling GovMint at (800)-721-0346    (24 hours a day). 

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For images or more information concerning this Press Release please contact:

Michael Sedgwick/Karen Ann Chaffee: 845-677-6112 or by e-mail at Orchardcommunications@gmail.com

With a mintage of 6,000, the Countdown “3” Silver Piedfort coins represent the biggest selling Piedfort in the Royal Mint’s eleven hundred year history.   Combine this with the sell out of 30,000 silver Proofs for the same year with the same design and it makes a notable statement about the high level of interest that is building for the London 2012 Olympic Games coins.  Indeed sales at this stage are ahead of any previous Olympic coin program.

Commenting on the Royal Mint announcement, GovMint’s Chief Marketing Officer,   Randy Geyen confirmed that GovMint has already made sure that it has both the Countdown “3” Silver Proof coins and the Countdown “3” Silver Piedfort coins on hand for North American collectors.  “As the United States distributor for the Royal Mint’s London 2012 Olympic Games coin program, we want to make sure that collectors won’t be disappointed.  By law, the Royal Mint cannot sell Olympic coins directly into the United States, which is why they appointed GovMint as their distributor here.”

Detailed information on pricing and availability will be available shortly at http://www.london2012coins.com  or by calling GovMint at 1-800-514-6468 (MINT)  24 hours a day. 

For more information concerning this Press Release Please Contact: Michael Sedgwick/Karen Ann Chaffee: 845-677-6112 or by e-mail at Orchardcommunications@gmail.com

GovMint.com has announced the availability of the beautiful $5 gold Proof issued by the Solomon Islands, in a fineness of .9999Au, which celebrates the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa.  The coin has a diameter of 11.0 millimeters and a weight of 0.5 grams.  An authorized mintage of only 10,000 coins is available for world wide distribution.  The coin can be seen on the www.GovMint.com website.

The story of this remarkable woman is well documented, but worth repeating.   Born in Skopje, Macedonia of Albanian nationality, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu received a strict Roman Catholic upbringing from her parents who nurtured her desire to become a nun.  In 1928 she joined the Irish order of “Sisters of the Blessed Virgin”, took the name of Sister Teresa and was sent almost directly to Calcutta in India’s West Bengal, where she taught in the local convent until 1945.   

Her time in India led Mother Teresa to take on the task of serving the slum dwellers in Calcutta. Although she had no funds, her determination and faith kept her going.  As word of her work traveled around the world, donations arrived that allowed Mother Teresa to found her own community called Missionaries of Charity, taking care of the destitute and dying, and the lepers that abounded in the area.

Such was her influence that in 1982 she was able to persuade the Israelis and Palestinians to cease fire long enough to rescue 37 retarded children from Beirut.   For her decades of devoted work, Mother Teresa –“the angel of the poor”– received wide recognition and many awards, among them the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize, the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth, and in 1985 the highest civilian honor in America, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan.  Never seeking anything for herself, Mother Teresa gave and gave, finally suffering a massive and fatal heart attack on September 5, 1997.

Dated 2010, the Solomon Islands $5 gold Proof is a fitting tribute indeed to such a wonderful humanitarian. 
The reverse design shows her with Pope John Paul II who initiated her beatification, the fastest beatification in modern times.  The coin’s obverse bears Ian Rank Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II,  

Commenting on the Mother Teresa coin, GovMint’s Chief Marketing Officer Randy Geyen, expressed his satisfaction at being able to offer the coin to collectors.  “Whatever one’s religion, Roman Catholic or not, we all admire Mother Teresa.  This coin makes such a perfect and affordable keepsake, and we feel privileged to be a part of this recognition of her devotion.”

Listed at $79.95 detailed information on pricing and availability of the Mother Teresa Commemorative or other GovMint coins can easily be obtained by visiting http:/www.govmint.com or by calling GovMint at:
(800)–721-0346 (24 hours a day).

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For images or more information concerning this or any other Press Release please contact:

Michael Sedgwick/Karen Ann Chaffee: 845-677-6112 or by e-mail at orchardcommunications@gmail.com

You bet there is!  Just ask Randy Geyen, Chief Marketing Officer of GovMint’s Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Coin Program.  Randy was in Vancouver for the first week of the Games and knows first hand how incredible the Olympic spirit really is.  “There certainly is a lot of life in the coins, although some of it will have to be in the secondary market as quite a number of them have either sold out already, or are very close to a sell-out.”

The Royal Canadian Mint’s Pavilion drew endless crowds, all anxious to see “the million dollar big one” and to enjoy the Vancouver Olympic commemoratives.

Not all of us were able to go to Vancouver of course, which explains why more than 165 million people in the United States tuned in to watch the events on TV.  Good reason therefore to move from TV screen to computer monitor and go online to recapture the excitement of those special competitive moments by enjoying the Vancouver 2010 commemorative coins on display at http://govmint.vancouvercoins.com. before they disappear like the Olympic snow.

 GovMint’s special talent for building collections, sets and specialty items offers collectors and sports enthusiasts alike, the perfect opportunity of capturing their own Olympic gold and harnessing those special memories for years to come.  In fact it will be possible to build on a whole Olympic theme as the Summer Olympic Games move to London in 2012, and with them GovMint’s website

http://www.london2012coins.com , showing all the newly minted coins from the Royal Mint as they become available.

Detailed information on pricing and availability of all current Olympic Games commemoratives can be easily obtained by visiting the web sites, or by calling GovMint at 1-800-514-6468 (MINT) 24 hours a day.  

About GovMint:   GovMint.com is America’s premier distributor of coins worldwide.  Founded in 1984, the Minnesota company was the leading U.S. distributor for the 2008 Beijing and 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games. GovMint is also a marketing partner of Odyssey Marine Exploration, the world leader in deep-ocean shipwreck recovery.  Its 225 employees are located in its Burnsville, MN headquarters and in Richmond, VA. It sells over 2,000 different coins through its website, mailings, catalog, radio, magazines/newspapers, and call centers.

For more information concerning this Press Release Please Contact: Michael Sedgwick/Karen Ann Chaffee: 845-677-6112 or by e-mail at Orchardcommunications@gmail.com 

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Issued in series and starting in 2007, the first gold and silver Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Kilo coins, struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, sold out almost as fast as a champion skier winning a downhill race.

 GovMint, the largest US distributor for the highly successful Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games, has become  the pre-eminent source for these magnificent coins in the United States, offering a truly exciting range of products that collectors can preview online at http://govmint.vancouvercoins.com

While the 2007 edition of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Silver Kilo, issued in a mintage of 2,500 pieces is already sold out, GovMint does have a small quantity of the 2008 and 2009 issues currently available. The mintages of each edition of the Silver Kilo are only 1,500 or 2,500 pieces depending on the edition. That compares with an authorized mintage of 20,000 Kilo coins issued for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, which themselves were a great success.

Each stunning design in the kilo series pays tribute to the choice of Vancouver, Canada as the site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The intricate design of the 2007 coin traces Canada’s settlement and rich wildlife, while the 2008 edition beautifully illustrates the history of Canada in a montage of iconic images.

The Royal Canadian Mint has produced two different Kilo editions for 2009. The first acknowledging the ancient Native American legend about an eagle that saves the Squamish people features the eagle and salmon design reminiscent of images carved into totem poles of the Northwest Coast of North America.

The second edition, the last in the Silver Kilo series for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, features a montage of images of the host city of Vancouver illustrating modern Canada.

Each spectacular silver kilo has a face value of $250 Canadian dollars and contains one full Troy kilogram (2.2 pounds) of 99.99% silver. The diameter is 101.6 mm.

The designs of the $2,500 Gold Kilos, struck in deep high relief, are the same as those of the Silver. Containing 1,000 grams of 99.99% pure gold , the diameter of 101.6 mm makes the pieces absolutely spectacular in the extreme. Mintages are extraordinarily small, with only forty pieces of the first 2009 edition, Surviving the Flood, and fifty pieces of the second, Modern Canada, authorized for worldwide distribution.

While both the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Gold Kilo coins are sold out, a limited number of the 2009 series are still currently available from GovMint.

It is well worthy of note at this time, that the recent substantial rise in the trading price of gold and silver, has brought an exciting level of enhancement to the intrinsic value of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Kilo coins.

The Royal Mint is challenging the nation to come up with new designs for the 50 pence coin in celebration of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the country’s most significant sporting events for this generation. This rare opportunity to see your own artwork immortalised on the UK’s coinage is open to all UK residents over the age of 13 years, so put pen to paper and get inspired.

The Royal Mint Design Competition for London 2012 – for the Nation was officially launched by the flipping of a giant 50 pence coin in Trafalgar Square, attended by Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards.

‘This is an amazing opportunity for the whole nation to be a part of London 2012 in a lasting, memorable way,’ comments Jonathan Edwards.

In total, 29 winning designs will be selected – each depicting a different Olympic or Paralympic sport – and will feature on the back of millions of 50 pence pieces from March 2010.

‘We are proud to be involved in this monumental event and to be able to involve the public in the creation of these celebratory coins, which will be found in the nation’s change for many years to come,’ says Andrew Stafford, Chief Executive of the Royal Mint.

As well as having their artistic abilities recognised on national currency, winners will receive £1,000 cash and a gold coin featuring their own design.They will also be invited to see their design being transformed into actual UK coins at the Royal Mint.

This competition is open to all UK residents aged 13 or over, and will deliver 27 of the 29 final designs.A children’s competition for 6-12 year olds to create a coin for athletics is being launched by Blue Peter today, and a coin for cycling will be chosen from secondary school entries (13-19 year olds).

For a list of permitted sporting themes and the full entry criteria and competition terms and conditions, visit www.royalmintcompetition.co.uk. Design templates are downloadable upon registration, and all entries must be submitted on the provided template and should reach the Royal Mint no later than 24 April 2009. For more details of the competition with Blue Peter visit www.designacoin.co.uk. Further details of the secondary schools competition can be found at www.coincompetition.co.uk- Ends-

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1. The Royal Mint is the oldest and most prestigious coin maker in the world, designing and producing the United Kingdom’s coinage, special collector coins and coinage for over 60 countries. With a history dating back over 1000 years, by the late thirteenth century the organisation was based in the Tower of London, and remained there for over 500 years. In 1810 the Royal Mint moved out of the Tower to premises on London’s Tower Hill.In 1967 the building of a new Mint began on its current site in Llantrisant, South Wales.

2. There were estimated to be more than 26.9 billion United Kingdom coins in circulation at 31 March 2008, with a total face value of more than £3.5 billion – allmanufactured by the Royal Mint.

3. There were estimated to be 769 million 50 pence pieces in circulation at 31 March 2008.

4. The Royal Mint is an official licensee of London 2012, producing coins and medallions.