Weekly World Mint Coinage: July 2, 2026

Switzerland - The Swiss Mint

Silver Coins Focus on Swiss Contributions to European Space Exploration

To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the European Space Agency, the Swiss Mint offers new silver commemorative coins. Founded in May 1975 and based in Paris, France, the European Space Agency has been Europe's gateway to space for half a century. It was founded initially ensure Europe would be technically and politically less dependent on the space-faring nations of the United States and former Soviet Union.

Switzerland is a founding member and has participated in nearly all ESA programmes ,including the two Swiss-based companies, Beyond Gravity and APCO Technologies, who supply components for the Ariane 6 programme. Both the launcher, built by Ariane Group, and the launch facilities provided by CNES, benefit from contributions by Swiss industry.

Depicted on the obverse are images of the Earth to the lower half with Switzerland at the centre of this image, the moon in the middle and Mars shown in the upper half. Near and along the left rim is the commemorative text EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY and along the right rim is the additional inscription ELEVATING THE FUTURE OF EUROPE, the motto of the ESA's Strategy 2040 project. The reverse depicts the upper section of an Ariane 6 launch vehicle and the payload apparatus which was developed and manufactured for this rocket by the Swiss company Beyond Gravity Switzerland. Around the rim of the coin is the text CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA and the minting year 2026 along with the mintmark B for Swiss Mint in Berne. Both Proof and BU versions include the raised edge inscription in Latin DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT (The Lord will provide) along with 13 five-pointed stars.

The BU coin is available encapsulated - the Proof quality commemorative coins are encapsulated and presented in a smaller size case providing optimal presentation while also making them easier to store. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Swiss Mint / Special Coins.

France - Monnaie de Paris

Gold and Silver Proof Coins Remember Queen Elizabeth II

As part of their Women of the World series, Monnaie de Paris recognizes the achievements of Queen Elizabeth II. Launched in 2016, the series focuses on extraordinary women who have had significant impact on both their own country and/or internationally.

Queen Elizabeth II was born in London on the 21st April 1926. During the Second World War, the teenage Princess volunteered for the British Armed Forces as a driver and mechanic, becoming the first woman in the royal family to serve actively in the military. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and reigned for more than 70 years, becoming the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Elizabeth II embodied enduring and respected female authority in a predominantly male environment while fulfilling her role as wife and mother. Her actions contributed to the international influence and prestige of the United Kingdom and the strengthening and maintenance of lasting diplomatic ties. Queen Elizabeth II’s last official visit to France took place from the 5th to the 7th June 2014 during the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Allied D-Day landings in Normandy. Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96.

The obverse, which is shared on all gold and silver versions, is designed by Joaquin Jimenez, General Engraver of the Monnaie de Paris. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II waving to a crowd of onlookers. She is shown in an ornate floral hat and wearing gloves. The portrait is based on a photograph taken by Tim Graham outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London on the occasion of a service of Thanksgiving held in honour of her 80th birthday in June 2006. The stylised text near the left rim reads ELIZABETH II and the commemorative years 1926 - 2022 are placed near the right rim. In the background is a repeated pattern of the Queen’s official personal monogram which includes the crowned letter E. The reverse depicts various and relevant headdresses representing important periods and official responsibilities in her life. Featured near the centre is St Edward’s crown, worn only once during the solemn ceremony of the Sovereign’s coronation. Below the crown and near the right is the tri-corner hat which the Queen was seen wearing worn during the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade and which is also the official celebration of the Sovereign’s birthday. Near the lower left is the image of a Mechanic's cap worn by Princess Elizabeth when she enlisted in the British Auxiliary Territorial Service at the age of 18. The emblem on the cap includes four heraldry symbols such as the thistle for Scotland, the rose for England, the shamrock for Ireland and the leek for Wales. In the background is a repeated pattern of floral insignias for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. To the upper left of the crown is the numerical denomination 200 (gold) or 10 (silver) along with the text EURO placed to the right. Below the primary design is the letters RF representing REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE and the year of release, 2026. The entirety of the series uses the style of a free minting process which gives an imperfect circular shape appearance to the coins, making each coin perfectly ‘imperfect’ and therefore unique. 

Both gold and silver examples are encapsulated and presented in a Monnaie de Paris-branded case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional, please visit the e-webshop of the Monnaie de Paris.

United Kingdom – The Royal Mint

Gold and Silver Proof Coins Remembers 500 Years of the Crown

The Royal Mint presents a new range of gold and silver coins marking half a millennia since the crown’s introduction to Britain’s coinage. Introduced in August 1526 during the reign of King Henry VIII, the crown was a coin inspired by a gold coin prevalent in continental Europe, namely the French ecu au soleil, or ‘crown of the sun’. Initially known as the ‘crown of the rose’, the fineness of the coin’s gold was reduced to 22 carats, and the design was also adjusted to feature a crowned double-rose that prompted the name.

Over the next 500 years, the crown endured as a mainstay of the British coinage. The crown denomination transitioned from gold to silver and was eventually equal to five shillings. The large silver crown was perfect for showcasing technical and artistic ability by The Royal Mint over the centuries and as such, crown coins have featured some of the finest designs in numismatic history, such as William Wyon’s inspiring Gothic Crown that was issued in 1847. However, it wasn’t until 1935 that the crown coin found a significant role for the first time ever as a commemorative coin minted to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

The coin has marked many royal and national milestones. With the changeover to a decimal currency in 1971, the crown itself transitioned from five shillings to 25 new pence and the first decimal crown coin was issued to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1972. In recent years, the crown was assigned a new face value of five pounds and has retained its primary function as a commemorative piece.

The reverse is designed by Timothy Noad, whose work is inspired by the 1526 gold crown, and features a traditional Tudor rose in heraldic style along with a branch of leaves and thorns encircling the rose, which has a crown placed above. On the left is the royal cypher or monogram of King Charles III and to the right, the additional royal cypher or monogram of the Queen Consort. It is the first time that a reverse design includes the cyphers of both Sovereign and Consort side by side on a British coin.

The primary design is surrounded by the commemorative text ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLD CROWN along with the years 1526 – 2026 placed below and along the lower rim. The obverse of each coin option features the definitive effigy of King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. The denomination from 5 POUNDS to 200 POUNDS and year of issue 2026 also appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. As a special feature, an exclusive and decorative border surrounds the effigy that includes five roses, one for each century since the crown coin’s introduction.

The BU cupro-nickel crown coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations. The silver Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in black leatherette matte cases accompanied by numbered certificates of authenticity. The gold Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in polished gloss wood cases accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.