Coin News Magazine

14/07/2025

Don’t forget we are running our summer sale right through until the end of the month - just use the code: summer20 at the checkout!

11/07/2025

The COIN NEWS summer sale is now ON!
Head to https://www.tokenpublishing.com/shop to see what's on offer!

11/07/2025

It's that time of year again .... the YORK STAMP AND COIN FAIR!

Phil and Carol (no Lou this time) will be heading up to York next Thursday for the York Coin and Stamp fair which runs on Friday, July 18–Saturday, July 19 at The Grandstand, York Racecourse, York YO23 1EX.

The fair runs from 10am – 5pm on the Friday and 10am – 3.30pm on the Saturday - but don't wait until the last few hours as many amazing bargains and deals will have already been done!

There are 50+ coin, banknote and medal dealers for you to visit and talk to on the top floors, as well as all the stamp dealers below on the ground floor. Admission and parking are both free!

Please pop by to say "Hello" to the COIN NEWS team - you never know what deals you may get!

11/07/2025

COIN NEWS August 2025 is now at the printer!

We have so many fantastic articles this month- you'd be crazy not to get hold a copy! Look in the comments section on this thread to see exactly what we have in store ...

09/07/2025

06/07/2025

IBNS Banknote of the Year 2025 – Nominations Begin! 🏆
We are pleased to begin presenting the nominees for the IBNS Banknote of the Year 2025!

🔹 Our first featured nominee is the 100-dirham polymer note issued by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, introduced on March 24, 2025.

💡 This striking note was nominated by Vladyslav Cherniuk, IBNS Member #12810-R.
It features modern security elements including SPARK Flow Dimension ink and a Kinegram stripe, with designs showcasing Umm Al Quwain National Fort on the front and Etihad Rail on the back.

🎨 Dominant colors: Red, pink, gray, and green
📐 Size: 155 x 66 mm | Printed by: Oumolat Security Printing

Stay tuned as we continue to present the impressive designs from around the world nominated for this year’s award!

03/07/2025

I had a chuckle at this - who knows what the new designs may be, but “biscuits” is not likely to be one of them!

Ok, if we were to have biscuits on banknotes… I’m saying:

£50 - Viscount
£20 - Bourbon
£10 - Chocolate Digestive
£5 - Custard Cream

01/07/2025

Unexpected Bids and Surprise Revelations

In April, the Crewe society held its annual online auction with 29 lots timed to finish during our club night on April 8. The most unexpected result was a bid of £37.13p (including buyers protection insurance - BPI) for a badly worn, bent and scratched 1860 bun penny. It was a result that surprised all present, including the seller. We can only assume that what parts of the coin were legible indicated some rare Gouby variety. A number of Maria Teresa dollars sold well but there were also a few unsold lots. It may be that the recent introduction of BPI is a disincentive to bidders on low-priced lots.

On July 8, the society will be holding its annual ‘Show and Tell’ evening when members are invited to bring along an interesting item from their collection or a recent purchase and tell the gathering all about it. The society does not meet in August but on September 9 we look forward to hearing Andy Clark talk on the subject of "British Military Tokens".

The society meets monthly, on the second Tuesday of most months. Visitors are always welcomed and we look forward to seeing you soon. Please contact the Secretary, Stuart Hallworth, on 07828 602611 for details

Steve Bentley – Chairman
Crewe and District Coin and Medal Society

27/06/2025

13/06/2025

COIN NEWS July is now with the printer!
We have another bumper issue in store for you this month, with enough to keep you happy until the August issue comes out!
Our cover story this month was written by Roderick Farey and focuses on Sarah Sophia Banks - a leading numismatist of her time.

You can order your copy today by calling us on 01404 46972 or visiting https://www.tokenpublishing.com/subscribe/coin

12/06/2025

RAMM acquires 9th Century Alfred the Great silver penny - the rare coin is the earliest known use of the name "Exeter"

Exeter City Council’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) has acquired an Anglo-Saxon silver penny - an incredibly important object which marks the beginning of modern Exeter. The penny was made in Exeter around AD 895-899 on the orders of King Alfred the Great. It is the earliest and rarest coin minted in Exeter. Only three examples are known and the other two are in the British Museum. The coin had been in the Dr Irving Schneider Collection in America since 1989, but the collection came up for auction in Zurich in May, giving RAMM the opportunity to acquire this hugely important piece of Exeter’s history.

On one side it proclaims AELFRED REX SAXONUM (Alfred King of the Saxons) and on the other EXA (Exeter). It marks the point where Alfred identified Exeter, alongside Wi******er, as the headquarters from which to strengthen his rule as King.

Alfred’s confidence in Exeter was a turning point in the city’s fortunes after being virtually abandoned since Roman times. The city walls were repaired and new street grid was laid out. The city evidently grew rapidly. RAMM’s Assistant Curator Tom Cadbury said: "This little coin is an incredibly important piece of Exeter's history. It was made 1,130 years ago making it the earliest known use of the name 'Exeter'. Only 3 of these coins have ever been found and the museum has been aware of this one's existence since 1868. It's incredible that it's finally coming home." Exeter City Council lead for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Bob Foale said: "We’re delighted that this coin, evidence of Exeter’s important role in the history of the nation, has been acquired for the city. It is fascinating to compare the Exeter of Alfred the Great to the thriving and bustling city it has become today. We are grateful to the donors who supported the museum in this acquisition, and look forward to having the coin on display in the near future."

Few coins are as rare as this, with only three examples known. This coin was found in the Cuerdale Viking Silver Hoard in 1840. This coin, the second Cuerdale hoard penny, was recorded by Topsham numismatist Richard Sainthill in 1844. From there it has belonged to a number of prominent coin collectors including Hyman Montagu and Sir John Evans. It last came up for sale in 1989 when the present owner acquired it.

08/06/2025

Today, June 8, Phil and Carol are representing the COIN NEWS team in Birmingham at the Midland Coin Fair, held at its usual venue of the National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, B92 0EJ.

The BANKNOTE YEARBOOK 12TH EDITION had its official launch today at the London Coin Fair and we now have many empty boxes - so make sure you buy your copy as soon as you can!