264) The Prestigious Krause Publications Annual World Coin Competition: Coin of the Year Awards -2016:

264) The Prestigious Krause Publications Annual World Coin Competition: Coin of the Year Awards -2016:

The Competition:

Every year, since 1984, Krause Publications holds a competition for “Coin of the Year” Awards in which there are 10 sub-categories (Best Gold Coin, Best Bimetallic Coin, Most Artistic Coin, Most Historically Significant Coin, Best Contemporary Event Coin, Best Silver Coin, Most Innovative Coin, Most Inspirational Coin, Best Crown, Best Circulating Coin) apart from the overall “Coin Of The Year” (COTY). 

The coins nominated for the Competition should have elegant and diverse styles, themes and technology used by mints from across the Globe.

The Winners of the 2016 “Coin Of The Year” (COTY) Award & the 10 sub-categories:

This year’s Coin Of The Year Award (COTY) nominations and winners have been declared by Krause Publications.

This year, i.e. in 2015, coins issued in 2014 or the year’s equivalent in other calendars were eligible to be nominated for the competition. 

The recently concluded Competition saw 100 elegant coins being nominated from   47 different countries.

 Out of the ten categories, while the Austrian Mint coins won Best Coin in three categories - Most Artistic Coin Category (Austrian Mint – 2014 –  50 Euro Austrian coin titled “Judith II” which was from the Series titled “Klimt and his Women”), Best Bimetallic Coin Category (Austrian Mint- 2014 -  Silver-Niobium 25 Euro Coin depicting the Science of Evolution) and Best Silver Coin (Austria 2014 -  20 Euro Coin from Austria which marked the 25^th Anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989) the USA nominations won Best Coin,  in two categories – The Most Innovative Coin Category (USA Mint 2014 -  “Baseball Hall of Fame” Cupped Clad Half Dollar and the Best Gold Coin Category (US Mint 2014 - Half-Dollar coin highlighting the US “Baseball Hall of Fame” which is identical to the US Half Dollar).

The United States of America’s nomination, the Cupped Clad Half Dollar titled “Baseball Hall of Fame” Coin, went on to win the overall winner category and be declared the “2016 Coin Of The Year” (COTY), through an additional round of judging by an International Panel of Judges in a voting round which concluded on 06.12.15.

The winners in various categories are as follows:

Best Silver Coin:

The Best Silver Coin Award went to the 20 Euro coin from Austria which marked the 25^th Anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

The poignant theme of the coin was a protestor stepping through a break in the wall.

On the Obverse the 20 Euro coin showed the back of the protestor as he walks through the breach in the wall. There is a symbolic depiction of barbed wires and a grassy patch representing a stifling atmosphere, hampering his growth and freedom. Also inscribed on this face is the value of the coin “20 EURO” and the year of issue “2014”, as well as the name of the issuing country “”REPUBLIK OSTERREICH” (meaning the “Republic of Austria”)

 On the Reverse of the 20 Euro coin depicts the protestor having emerged on the other side through the breach in the Berlin Wall. He is shown with a clenched fist in a sign of having succeeded in his endeavours and as emerging into a World of Freedom, depicted by the Brandenburg Gate (or “Brandenburger Tor”) which is an 18^th century neoclassical triumphal arch in Berlin commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia after the Thirty Years War, as a sign of peace and it was built from 1788 to 1791. During the post World War II Partition of Germany, the Gate was isolated and made inaccessible immediately next to the Berlin Wall. Throughout its existence, the Brandenburg Gate has seen several major historical events and today it stands as a symbol of European peace and unity.

Also seen on this face of the coin is the Statue of Liberty, New York, which was inspired by Marianne, the Lady depicting Liberty in France and who in turn figured on several French Francs as well as Paistre coins among other issues. Inscribed on this face is the inscription “25 JAHRE FALL DES EISERNEN VORHANGS” (meaning “25 Years of the Fall of the Iron Curtain”).

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Australia – 5 Dollars, Silver, Victoria Cross

-      Austria – 20 Euro, Silver, Fall of the Berlin Wall

-      Canada – 20 Dollars, Silver, Bobcat

-      Cook Islands – 5 Dollars, Silver, Moldavite Impact

-      Finland – 10 Euro, 100^th anniversary of the Birth of Ilmari Tapiovaara, interior architecture Designer

-      Ireland – 15 Euro, 100^th Anniversary of the death of John Philip Holland, Submarine Inventor

-      Kiribati – 5 Dollars, silver, Rudolph the Red – nosed Reindeer

-      Latvia – 5 euro, Silver, White Book

-      Mongolia – 1000 Togrog, Silver, Chinggis Khan Antiqued Portrait

-      Switzerland – 20 Francs, silver, Jassen Card Game

Best Bi-Metallic Coin:

The Best Bi-metallic Coin in its category was an Austrian Coin made of Silver-Niobium depicting the Science of Evolution.

On the Obverse of the Coin, symbolising the origin of Evolution as a whole, an image of the DNA molecule, (the double helix), also known as Deoxyribonucleic  Acid, is depicted as well as RNA (Ribonucleic acid) – both of which are the keys and fundamental to evolution.  Also shown on this face of the coin is a half-filled beaker, with the liquid contained therein bubbling, a microscope for studying samples on slides and a symbol of the Caduceus, which is symbolic of Medicine.

On the outer periphery is mentioned on top the name of the country “REPUBLIK OSTERREICH” (meaning, the “Republic of Austria”) and the year of issue “2014”. On the left periphery is mentioned the denomination of the coin “25 EURO” and on the lower to right periphery is mentioned the theme of the coin “EVOLUTION”.

 On the Reverse of the Coin is depicted the history of human development and the diversity of life-forms brought about by evolution. On the outer silver ring starting from the bottom periphery clock-wise is depicted a DNA Double Helix. The DNA chain represents life itself which has diversified into a bird, the brightly coloured toucan represents life forms and their abundance in the air. The fish and the frog represent life in water and how life evolved into land-based creatures. The mushrooms and a flower whorl are representative of a complex biological world which has evolved over the eons along with the plants and animals. The leaves represent trees and plants, vital to replenishing the oxygen content in the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis, and a fish both of which are partially overlapping into the Niobium core/pill and a frog, representing amphibious life (both on land & water). In the inner Niobium core is shown the evolutionary cycle of the Homo Sapiens – the first Monkeys and Apes (who evolved during the Cainozoic Era, in the Tertiary Period in the Oligocene Epoch, 25 to 40 million years ago) to the first man-like Apes (who appeared in the Cainozoic Era in the Tertiary Period in the Pliocene Epoch, 2 to 10 million years ago) to the First true man, the Homo Erectus (who appeared in the Cainozoic Era in the Quarternary Period, Pleistocene Epoch, 10000 to 2 million years ago). Of course, the man depicted on this coin is well groomed & is like a 10.0 version of his ancestors. Air bubbles surround these elements, representing the key role played by oxygen in sustaining life.

For more interesting details on the theme of this coin and the Austrian Mint being the pioneers of a Series of very aesthetic Silver-Niobium coins, please click on the following link:25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series minted by the Austrian Mint Coin: Evolution)

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Austria – 25 Euro, silver-Niobium, Evolution

-      Canada – 5 Dollars, Silver-Niobium, Rose

-      Falklands Islands – 2 Pounds, Bi-Metallic, 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Falkland Islands

-      Finland – 5 euro, Bi-Metallic, Loon

-      Germany – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, Lower Saxony – St. Michael’s Church

-      Greece – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, 150^th Anniversary of the Ionian Islands Transfer

-      Malta – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, 50^th Anniversary of Independence

-      Poland – 5 Zlotych, Bi Metallic, 25 years of Freedom

-      Singapore – 5 Dollars, Bi-metallic, Latent image of 2014

-      Slovakia – 2 Euro, bi-Metallic, 10^th Anniversary of entry to the European Union

Most Artistic Coin Category:

The “Most Artistic Coin” Award went to the 50 Euro Austrian coin titled “Judith II” which was from the series titled “Klimt and his Women” showcasing the artistic collection of Gustav Klimt, the famous Austrian Painter. Five Gold coins are included in this very innovative coin series, one issued every year. “Judith” is the third coin issued in this Series. 

The life-size portrait shows Judith looking to her right clutching the severed  head  of   Holoferenes,       an Assyrian general who was threatening to destroy her home city of Bethulia.

On the Reverse of this Gold Coin is shown the bust of Judith from Klimt’s painting. Also seen is Klimt’s customary swirling “art nouveau” ornamentation features on this face.  

The starkly naked red-headed woman holds the mirror of truth, while above her is a quotation by Friedrich Schiller in stylised lettering “KANNST DU NICHT ALLEN GEFALLEN DURCH DEINE THAT UND DEIN KUNSTWERK MACHE ES WENIGEN RECHT. VIELEN GEFALLWN 1^ST SCHLIMM. SCHILLER” (“If you cannot please everyone with your deeds and your art, please only a few. To please many is bad. Schiller”). The mirror in the woman’s hand reflects the art exposed at this exhibition – therefore Modern art is “Veritas” (or “The Truth”) and the woman is ‘Nuda” (meaning “Naked”) together with “Veritas” represents the “Naked Truth”.

The Obverse of this Coin is graced with “Nuda Veritas” (meaning “The Naked Truth”) from Klimt’s golden phase.

For more on the “Klimt and his Women Series -2011-2016) please click on the following link: Klimt and his Women: 50 Euro Gold five Coin Series minted by the Austrian Mint 2011-2016)

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Austria - 50 Euro, Gold, Gustav Klimt – Judith II

-      Belarus – 20 Roubles, Silver, Legend of the Bullfinch

-      British Antarctic Territory – 2 Pounds, Silver, Orca Whales

-      Cook Islands – 5 Dollars, Silver – Partially Gilt, Bees

-      France – 10 Euro, Silver, Rooster

-      Great Britain – 10 Pounds, Silver, Year of the Horse

-      Italy – 10 Euro, Silver, Presidency of the European Union

-      Kazakhstan – 100 Tenge, Silver – Partially Gilt, gilt Swan

-      Russia – 3 Roubles, Silver, Sochi Winter Olympics – Snowboarding

-      Turkey – 50 Lira, Silver, 600 years of Turkey – Polish Friendship

Most Innovative Coin Category:

The Most Innovative Coin Category Award was won by the United States of America (USA) for its Half-Dollar coin highlighting the US Baseball Hall of Fame. The half-dollar has a concave design and the technical process for this design has been attempted for the first time in the USA.

The Obverse of the Half dollar coin is convex in shape and bears the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E.PLURIBUS UNUM” (meaning “One Out Of Many”) and the denomination of the coin “Half Dollar”. It is in the shape of a Baseball.

 The Reverse of the Half Dollar Coin is concave in shape and depicts a baseball glove, with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY”. This face also shows the year of issue “2014”.

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Canada – 5 Dollars, Silver, Bullion Maple Leaf – Scanable Security Features

-      Canada – 20 Dollars, Silver, River rapids – transition effect colorisation

-      Cook Islands – 5 Dollars, silver, Anders Celsius – Operational temperature gauge

-      Kazakhstan – 500 Tenge, Silver, Taikazan cauldron – Dodecahedron shape

-      Niue – 15 Dollars, Silver, Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet – entire play in micro-text

-      Portugal – 2.5 Euro, Silver and Gold, 100^th Anniversary of Portugal’s commemorative coins – Offset Gold on Silver coin

-      Samoa – 1 Dollar, Brass, 50 Years of Mars Missions – coin floats over stand using electromagnetism

-      Solomon Islands – 10 Dollars, silver, Solar System – Seven different metals used

-      Tuvalu – 1 Dollar Silver, 100^th Anniversary of the first appearance of Charlie Chaplin’s The Tramp – Multilenticular image

-      USA – 50 Cents, Copper-Nickel, Baseball Hall of fame – first cupped clad coin

Best Gold Coin Category:

The Best Gold coin Category Award was, also, won by the United States of America (USA) for its Half-Dollar coin highlighting the US Baseball Hall of Fame which is identical to the US Half dollar which won the Most Innovative Coin Category Award.

 This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Austria – 100 Euro, Gold, wild Boar

-      Canada – 200 Dollars, Gold, Thunderbird

-      Greece – 200 Euro, Gold, Aristotle

-      Hungary – 50000 Forint, Gold, Golden Florin of Queen Mary

-      Israel – 10 New Sheqalim, Gold, Jacob’s Dream

-      Poland – 200 Zlotych, Gold, Olympics Skating

-      Portugal – 2.5 Euro, Gold, Portuguese Ethnographic series – The Yokes

-      Slovakia – 100 Euro, Gold, Prince Rastislav of Moravia

-      Switzerland – 50 Franc, Gold, 100^th Anniversary of Swiss National Parks

-      USA – 5 Dollars, Gold, Baseball Hall of Fame

Most Historically Significant Coin Category:

The “Sammlermunzen der Bundesrepublik Deutshland” (meaning “Collector Coins of Germany”) won the Most Historically Significant Coin Category Award for its 10 Euro silver issue marking the 300^th Anniversary of the Fahrenheit temperature system.

The Obverse of the 10 Euro silver coin depicts the Coat of Arms of Germany (The Coat of Arms of Germany displays a Black Eagle which is the “Bundesadler” or the “Federal Eagle”). Towards the left periphery is inscribed “BUNDES REPUBLIK DEUTSCHELAND” (meaning “Federal Republic of Germany”). Towards the right periphery is mentioned the year of issue “2014”. Towards the lower periphery is mentioned the denomination of the coin “10 Euro silver 625”.

The Reverse of the 10 Euro silver coin shows temperatures in Farhenheit. Towards the left periphery is inscribed “FAHRENHEIT SKALA” and towards the right periphery is mentioned “300 JAHRE” (meaning “300 Years”).

In 1714, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit who was a German physicist, engineer and glass blower invented the mercury-in-glass thermometer and developed a temperature scale which is named after him.

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Belarus – 20 Roubles, silver, The First World War

-      Canada – 15 Dollars, Silver, Exploring Canada – The Arctic Expedition

-      France – 10 Euro, Silver, World War I – “Taxis de la Marne”

-      Germany – 10 Euro, Silver, 300^th anniversary of Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit’s invention of the Mercury thermometer

-      Greece – 10 Euro, Silver, Aristotle

-      Italy – 10 Euro, Silver, 2000^th Anniversary of Augustus Caesar’s death

-      Panama – ½ Balboa, Copper-nickel, 100^th Anniversary of Panama Canal inauguration

-      Slovakia – 10 Euro, Silver, 150^th Anniversary of the birth of Jozef Murgas, Wireless communication researcher

-      Ukraine – 5 Hryvnias, German Silver, 500^th Anniversary of the Battle of Orsha

Best Contemporary Event Category:

Latvia won the Best Contemporary Event Category Award for its silver coin celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of the Baltic Chain event which took place in support of independence for the three Baltic States. Over a million Baltic people joined hands across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to demand their freedom from Soviet Rule.

On the Obverse of the 5 Euro coin towards the left periphery is mentioned “ATMOSTAS BALTIJA” (meaning The “Baltics are waking up”) – in Latvian “Atmostas Baltija”, in Lithuanian “Bunda jau Baltija” and in Estonian “Argake, Baltimaad” – inspired by the trilingual Baltic song composed for the occasion of the Baltic Way, which was a large demonstration against the Soviet Union and for independence of the Baltic States. This song is also called the “General Anthem of the Baltics”.

Also mentioned on this face are the names of the three Baltic nations “LIETUVA, LATVIJA, EESTI” (meaning “Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia”). The engraving shows three sets of roots symbolising the three nations merging together into a strong tree-trunk symbolising a powerful Baltic people. 

 On the Reverse of the 5 Euro coin across the centre is an inter-twining colour design which shows the coloured flags of the three countries – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. On the lower periphery is mentioned “BALTIJAS CELS 1989-2014” (meaning the “Baltic Way or Baltic States”) Also mentioned on this face is the denomination of the coin “5 Euro”.

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Canada – 30 Dollars, Silver, Aboriginal Veterans Monument

-      China – 10 Yuan, Silver, Chinese Moon Landing

-      France – 2 Euro, bi-Metallic, D-Day

-      Japan – 1000 Yen, Silver, 50^th Anniversary of Shinkansen Bullet Train

-      South Korea – 50000 Won, silver, Pope Francis’ visit to Korea

-      Latvia – 5 Euro, Silver, Baltic Way – Latvia freedom

-      Poland – 10 Zlotych, Silver, Canonization of Pope John Paul II

-      Portugal – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, 25^th of April, 1974 Carnation Revolution

-      Russia – 5 Roubles, Nickel Plated steel, Battle of Leningrad

-      South Africa – 200 Rand, Gold, 20 Years of democracy and freedom

Best Crown Coin Category:

The Best Crown Coin Category Award was won by the – Maple Canopy Coin – nominated by the Royal Canadian Mint.

The Reverse of the 20 Dollar Coin depicts an onlooker’s view while looking up at a Maple tree during its fullest time of the year, leaves abounding from rim to rim and colour jumping out from the surface.

 The Obverse of the 20 Dollar Coin depicts an uncrowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, with the inscription “D.G.REGINA” (meaning “By the Grace of God Queen”).

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Australia – 1 Dollar, Silver, Fireworks over Sydney Harbour

-      Belarus – 20 Roubles, Silver, UNESCO World Heritage Site – Mir Castle

-      Canada – 20 Dollars, Silver, Maple Leaf Canopy

-      Estonia – 10 Euro, Silver, 150^th Anniversary of the Birth of Miina Hermann, Composer

-      Finland – 20 Euro, Silver, 100^th anniversary of the Birth of Tove Jansson

-      France – 10 Euro, Silver, Eiffel tower

-      Ireland – 10 Euro, Silver, John McCormack, irish Tenor

-      Monaco – 10 Euro, Silver, Hercules with bow and arrow

-      Russia – 3 Roubles, Silver, Sochi Winter Olympics – Curling

-      USA – 1 Dollar, Silver, Baseball Hall of Fame

Best Circulating Coin Category:

The Best Circulating Coin Category Award was won by a U.K. two pound Coin having the theme of World War I. This coin is part of a series of coins which will be issued by the Royal Mint, U.K. over a period of five years and it marks the centennial of World War I.

The Reverse of the two Pound Coin depicts Lord Kitchener in a recruitment poster that sought conscripts and volunteers to fight in World War I. The peripheral inscription reads “THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918” Lord Kitchener is shown with the inscription “YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU”. The year of issue is “2014”.

 The Obverse of the two Pound Coin shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II made by Ian-Rank Broadley facing right. The peripheral inscription is “ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.FID.DEF.” (meaning “Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God Queen, Defender of the Faith”). The denominational value of the coin “Two Pounds” is also mentioned.

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Belgium – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, The Great War Centenary

-      Canada – 2 Dollars, Bi-Metallic, Family seeing Father off to War

-      Finland – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, 100^th anniversary of the Birth of Ilmari Tapiovaara, Interior Architecture Designer

-      Great Britain – 2 Pounds, Bi-Metallic, World war I – Lord Kitchener Recruiting Poster

-      Italy – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, 450^th Anniversary of Galileo Galilei’s Birth

-      Japan – 500 Yen, Bi-Metallic, 60^th anniversary of Ishikawa Prefecture

-      Latvia – 2 Euro, Bi-Metallic, Female head in National costume

-      Netherlands – 1 Euro, Bi-Metallic, New King Willem-Alexander

-      Poland – 2 Zloty, Copper-Aluminium-Nickel, Canonisation of Pope John Paul II

-      Russia – 1 Rouble, Nickel-plated Steel, New Rouble Symbol

Most Inspirational Coin Category:

The Most Inspirational Coin category award went to a 10 Zlotych Silver Coin minted at the Mint of Poland which honours Jan Karski a Polish hero  who during the German occupation of Europe during World War II smuggled evidence of the holocaust to the Allied Forces through a hollow key.

The Reverse of the 10 Zlotych Silver Coin shows a symbolic representation of a hollow key with writings on it and the signature of Jan Karski.

 The Obverse of the 10 Zlotych Silver Coin shows the emblem/Coat of Arms of Poland and the name of the issuing country “RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA” (meaning “The Republic of Poland”). The year of issue is mentioned as “2014” and the denomination of the coin is “10 Zl” (or “10 Zlotych”).

This coin was chosen from among the following nominations:

-      Canada – 1 Dollar, Silver, World War II – Female Riveters

-      Canada – 20 Dollars – Silver, 50^th Anniversary of Canadian UN Peacekeeping in Cyprus

-      Finland – 10 Euro – Silver, Literacy – Diverse communication symbols

-      Kazakhstan – 500 Tengre, Silver, Mother

-      Lithuania – 50 Litu, Silver, Baltic Way, 25^th Anniversary of Independence

-      Niue – 1 Dollar, Silver, Always with you – Two coins form single heart

-      Poland – 10 Zlotych, Silver, 100^th Anniversary of the Birth of Jan Karski – Smuggled holocaust evidence to Allies in a hollow key

-      South Africa – 1 Rand, Silver, Nelson Mandela

-      USA – 10 Dollars, Gold, Eleanor Roosevelt

-      Ukraine – 20 Hryvnias, silver, 70^th anniversary of Ukraine’s liberation from Fascist invaders

Award Ceremony:

The trophies were presented by Krause Publications to the winners during the World Money Fair, held at the Estel Centre, Berlin from 5^th to 7^th February 2016.

(For my Post on COTY 2015 and later years, please click on the following link:
1) Coin of the Year Awards (COTY-2015)

2) Krause Publications Awards Coin of the Year and other Category winners - 2016

3) Coin of the Year and winners of the 10 sub-categories- 2017