Images of 2013 Coin of the Year Award Winners

Krause Publications has just announced the ten category winners for the 2013 Coin of the Year Awards. Since many collectors might be curious what the award winning coins actually look like, I tracked down images of each and will provide within this post.

The award winning coins were selected by a panel of judges including authors, editors, numismatists, and members of the American Numismatic Association and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The 2013 Awards are for 2011-dated coins. I have no affiliation with Krause Publications and was not involved in the selection process.



Most Historically Significant
National Bank of Kyrgyz Republic – 2011 Silk Road 10 Som Silver Coin

The obverse features in gold, the route of the Great Silk Road across a map of Eurasia with silhouettes of famous architectural and cultural monuments included included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The reverse features the state emblem of the Kyrgyz Republic with the image of a caravan going to the mountains.

Struck in 92.5% silver with gilding and color enameling, the coins have a weight of 31.10 grams and diameter of 38.61 mm. The issue limit was 2,000.

Best Contemporary Event
Austrian Mint – 2011 Robotics 25 Euro Silver and Niobium Coin

The obverse portrays a robot in humanoid form recalling the Vetruvian man of Leonardo Da Vinci.  At its feet are lines of zeros and ones running through the silver ring and niobium core. Three cogs symbolize the inner mechanics of the robot. The reverse features a depiction of the Mars Lander.

Each coin has an outer ring containing 9 grams of 90% silver with an inner core containing 7.15 grams of 99.8% pure niobium. The mintage limit was 65,000 pieces in special uncirculated quality.

Best Gold Coin
South African Mint – Natura Series 2011 Meerkat 50 Rand Gold Coin

This issue of the Natura coin series featuring “Nature’s Families” depicts the Meerkat. Releases included 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz coins featuring different reverse designs. The reverse design of the 1/2 oz gold coin features a Meerkat sentry on duty.

Struck in 99.99% gold, the 50 Rand coin has a weight of 15.553 grams and diameter of 27 mm. The limited mintage is indicated as 1,500 with another 1,000 included in a Prestige Set.

Best Silver Coin
Royal Canadian Mint – 2011 Canoe $20 for $20 Silver Coin

This was the second release in a series of $20 silver coins which were sold for their face value of $20. The reverse design depicts a young person rowing a canoe. The reflection in the water reveals an early native paddler in a traditional birch bark canoe.

Struck in 99.99% silver, each coin has a weight of 7.96 grams and diameter of 27 mm. The mintage was limited to 250,000 pieces.

Best Crown
Monnaie de Paris – 2011 Charlemagne 10 Euro Silver Coin

The second issue in a series “From Clove to Republic – 1500 Years of French History” which featured Charlemagne. The coin is minted with a special process which makes it appear to be hammer struck, as it would have during the time of Charlemagne.

Struck in 90% silver, the coins have a weight of 22.2 grams and diameter of 27 mm. The mintage is limited to 20,000 pieces.

Best Trade Coin
National Bank of Lithuania – 2011 Basketball 1 Litas Coin

The obverse design features a stylized basketball with the symbol of the state emblem of the Republic of Lithuania. The  reverse features another view of a basketball with an inscription which translates to “The European Basketball Championship 2011”.

The coins are struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel with a weight of 6.25 grams and diameter of 22.3 mm. The mintage was 1,000,000 pieces.

Most Popular Coin
National Bank of Mongolia – 2011 Ural Owl 500 Togrog Silver Coin

A close up of the Ural Owl is shown with its eyes created from two dark Swarovski Elements.

Struck in 99.9% silver with an antique finish, the weight is 1 troy ounce and diameter is 38.61 mm. The mintage is indicated at 2,500 pieces.

Most Artistic Coin
Bank of Latvia – 2011 Aleksandrs Čaks 1 Lats Silver Coin “Fog Mists the Pane”

This coin honors honors Aleksandrs Čaks, Latvian modernist and urban poet. The obverse features window panes with imprints of lips and leaves. The reverse features cobblestone paving with the polished image of a leaf containing an imprint of lips.

Struck in 92.5% silver, the coin has a weight of 26 grams and measures 32 X 32 mm. The mintage was limited to 7,000 pieces.

Most Innovative Coin
Royal Dutch Mint – 100th Anniversary of the Mint 5 Euro Silver Coin with QR Code

The obverse features Queen Beatrix within a border including elements of the Mint building’s architecture and style. The reverse includes a QR Code capable of being scanned and read by mobile phones.

Struck in 92.5% silver, the coin has a weight of 15.5 grams and diameter of 33 mm. The mintage was limited to 12,500 pieces.

Most Inspirational Coin
Mint of Poland – 100th Anniversary of the Society for the Protection of the Blind 10 Zlotych Silver Coin

The obverse features the image of the eagle established as the state emblem of the Republic of Poland with the denomination in the Braille alphabet. The reverse has the stylized image of a labyrinth in the background with two figures in the foreground including one holding a cane.

Struck in 92.5% silver, the coin has a weight of 14.14 grams and diameter of 32 mm. The mintage was limited to 50,000 pieces.

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Comments

  1. My COTY choice says

    To me, excellent choices in all categories. Now let’s see which one gets the coin of the year 🙂

  2. VABEACHBUM says

    I had read the Krause news release early this morning, but having the pictures available definitely puts the winners into perspective.

    I do have to agree with Samuel; some great coins, but not nearly as awe inspiring as last year’s winners.

    With these 10 category winners as the candidate for the COTY, I’m going to give a nod to the “Silk Road 10 Som Coin.” I love the balanced use of the PR and Burnished finishes across the OBV and REV faces. And, while each surface contains some very detailed artwork, neither seems to feel cluttered while conveying a very understandable message – to me, at least.

    Given the very limited mintage, probably going to be hard to track down, but this is a visually appealing coin I will definitely try to add to my collection.

  3. Hidalgo says

    That 2011 Silk Road coin is a winner! Too bad there were only 2,000 minted. If there were more minted, I definitely would have added one to my collection. And I certainly ain’t gonna pay $1,000s.

  4. Samuel says

    it wont be in the $1000s. last yr, the jonah and whale is less than $200, it is 2800 mintage.

  5. Shutter says

    I like all of these coins with the exception of utterly craptacular french coin. Also the canadian canoe, while a very nice coin, is nowhere near the best of 2011. If I had to pick one I like the best, I’d go with the silk road too.

  6. says

    Seconding Louis’ motion for the Latvia folk girl coin, I just got that one myself a couple of days ago and it’s a fantastic piece.

    I’m inclined to suggest something from the Polish painters series ought to be nominated too.

  7. My COTY choice says

    My choice for the Dutch Coin, innovative and contemporary but with a classical touch. Nice design and high technical achivement. It was my favourite from the start.

  8. VABEACHBUM says

    SUCCESS!! I just finished pulling the trigger on an example of the 2011 Silk Road Coin that had been listed, at what I consider a reasonable cost, by a reputable European seller sometime in the past 24 hours.

    I feel fortunate to be able to add a coin that I like and can afford to my collection. That’s the Fun!! If it does happen to pick up the COTY Honor, that will be fine, too.

  9. Rolling Thunder says

    Congrats VABEACHBUM – terrific coin!

    Liked the 2011 Silk Road when 1st released, wish I’d bought it then. But I too just purchased after COTY nominees released – prices have gone up fast this week!

    I also have Canada Canoe & Mongolia Ural Owl and was rooting (US definition, not Australian) for the Owl to be 2013 COTY winner – have changed my mind – both sides of the 2011 Silk Road are spectacular, while the owl is one sided and similar in design concept to the Mongolia gulo gulo that won COTY 2 years ago.

    I also like the modern artistic design of the Latvia “coin” – think it has a chance for COTY too – but I am partial to coins being round! Trying to convince myself to buy one.

    Michael – how about a poll on World Mint Blog for favorite for 2013 COTY winner? How good are we compared to Krause COTY committe?

    So far, 4 Silk Road, 1 Dutch coin, & two can’t wait for 2014 (2012 Latvia)!

  10. VABEACHBUM says

    Thanks, RT.

    LMAO about the “rooting!!!”

    I definitely like the Ural Owl for the level of detail incorporated into the owl’s face, but I’m not big on the whole jewel / crystal thing. Although – it is used quite nicely in this instance. I also have been following the Canada $20 for $20 series from the inception. Agree that the Canoe is the most artistic of the series, so far.

    As a side note, the Silk Road seller has listed a second example within the past 12 hours. However, based upon the success of the first sale, the price has been increased dramatically. I’ve got it on my watch list. If it drops back down, I may consider a second one.

    Have fun, and best of luck with acquiring some of the other 2013 COTY winners.

  11. Aureus Argentus says

    I also go for the Dutch coin. It is the only design a little bit out the box in my humble opinion, and in real, the silver coin is spectacular.Beside, I find very interesting the concept of dedicated websites for this kind of coins where you can enjoy extra information. A nice way to attract young people and a new way to understand numismatics.I guess the concept of making a dedicated website for this kind of coins will soon be followed by others. It set up a milestone in many ways.As I said, my favorite one.

  12. Mike says

    Bill,
    Actually, what SHOULD embarrass you is the fact that you don’t know where these places are…Worse yet is the fact that you are so arrogant as to think that the US is better than places you haven’t heard of. Open a book.

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