The coin was named after the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, which has been a part of Austria’s capital city for over 160 years. The orchestra travels all over the world such as Germany, France and Japan. The Vienna Philharmonic coin is made of pure gold (24 Karat). In 1989, the first Vienna Philharmonic cold bullion coin was made. It is also the largest diameter one ounce pure gold coin in the world.

This Vienna Philharmonic coin is the only coins to ever have been featured on the side of an airplane. The coin features images of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. On the opposite side of the coin, you will see the words, “Wiener Philharmonic” (in German) which is the name of the German Orchestra. The coin pictures a variety of orchestra instruments such as cells, bass, bassoon, harp, string bass and Viennese Horn. These instruments are a representation of Austria’s musical heritage.

Some interesting facts of Vienna Philharmonic coins are:

• They have been minted in half, quarter and 1/10 ounce sizes
• Measure in 37mm diameter
• The face value equals 100 Euros or 2,000 Shillings
• The silver Vienna Philharmonic coins are exempt from the IRS 1099 Brokerage-this is ideal for private investors
• Can be used in legal contracts that have a face value of 1.5 Euros
• In February of 2008, the coin had been minted in silver too

Through the years of 1989-2001, the Vienna Philharmonic was traded as Austrian’s shillings. Since the year 2001, it is now measured as Euros. A commemorative coin was created in October of 2004, and weighed 1,000 ounces. It was given the nick-name “Big Phil” and dedicated as an anniversary issue. Only 15 of these coins were minted. The coin was worth 100,000 euros. Since then, most of the coins have been sold and are a rare collector’s item.

Because of their creative design and rare quality, Vienna Philharmonic coins are one of the most searched for coins. Collectors can purchase the coins in either a hardwood or velvet case to showcase them in. Coins may be purchased a single or as a set of four. With the beauty and value of the Vienna Philharmonic coin, they are some of the most sought after by coin collector’s all over. If you have received the chance to add this rare beautiful coin to your collection, take special care so that it can be a family heirloom for years to come.

Because of the sound nature of silver as an investment, there are many people, both long time investors in precious metals as well as those just now exploring the possibilities represented by investing in silver who are taking a great deal of interest in the 2011 1 Ounce Silver Eagle bullion coin. This is a coin with a lot to recommend it, both in terms of its artistic value and its value as an investment quality piece of this precious metal.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the coin, the 2011 1 ounce American Eagle silver coin is a collector’s version of the official American Eagle silver bullion coin produced by the US Mint. While this is not the official coin, collectors and investors who are concerned about the quality of this collector coin will be pleased to hear that it is actually produced by the US Mint at West Point; this fact is attested to by the “W” mint mark on each American Eagle coin (though proof American Eagles also minted at the West Point Mint bear no mint mark), as well as the certificate of authenticity which is included with every one of these coins.

Each American Eagle 1 ounce Silver Bullion coin measures 40.6 millimeters in diameter and weighs 31.101 grams; the coins contain one troy ounce of .999 fine silver and have a face value of one dollar. The high quality and artistic appeal of these coins have made them highly sought after by collectors and investors alike. Although they’ve only been available since mid July, they’re rapidly becoming one of the hottest items of the year among coin collectors.

The obverse face of the new coin features the image of Queen Elizabeth II, with a magnificently crafted design featuring the Canadian Grizzly bear set in a native Canadian arctic landscape. Nature and wildlife themes are always popular with coin collectors, especially those with an interest in collectible coins from the Royal Canadian Mint and the 2011 Silver Canadian Grizzly one ounce coin definitely does not disappoint avid collectors of Canadian coins as well as wildlife enthusiasts.

This coin is the follow up to last September’s release of the incredibly popular 2011 Silver Wolf coin, which has proven to be wildly popular with silver investors and coin collectors alike. Like other silver bullion coins, the Silver Wolf and Silver Canadian Grizzly coins are solid investments which will only increase in value over time. Even in a tough economy where other investments decline in value, precious metals tend to actually become more valuable; and silver historically outperforms other precious metals by a significant amount.

It is of course the design which is really getting the attention of collectors, since the level of craftsmanship represented by this coin is of the highest order. This majestic Canadian predator with a background of water and a starkly beautiful Canadian landscape is an incredible design; and the obverse portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt is acknowledged as some of the finest artwork ever to grace a Royal Canadian Mint coin.

With that in mind, there are more people than ever before who eagerly watch the market for collectible coins in search of new and interesting silver coins to collect. One of the most exciting new releases of the year in the world of collector coins is the 2011 one ounce Somalian Silver Elephant coin, a part of the African Wildlife series. The series is minted by the Bavarian State Mint in Germany and features tone of the most interesting animals on the African continent and indeed, the world – the African elephant. These noble, intelligent and unfortunately endangered animals are featured on this new one ounce, .999 silver coin with a face value of 100 shillings.

The reverse of the coin features the African elephant in all its glory, truly capturing the size and magnificence of these gentle giants. The obverse is equally stunning, featuring the heraldic design of the Somali republic; two leopards, a shield and a five pointed star; below this design are two crossed lances and two crossed palm fronds draped with a ribbon.

The coin was originally minted by the Bavarian State Mint in 2004 and has been highly sought after ever since. Due to the immense demand for this highly collectible silver coin and the rest of the African Wildlife Series, the mint has decided to re-release the Somalian Silver Elephant coin in this breathtaking 2011 edition. The new release of this 2004 favorite silver coin is as solid of an investment as the original and is in great demand by both collectors and investors interested in diversifying their portfolio with the secure investment that is silver bullion coins.

The coin has recently been made available and if the success of the rest of the Bavarian State Mint African Wildlife Series is any guide, it’s likely to sell out before you know it. This will soon become a rare and sought after coin just like the original 2004 minting, so collectors interested in this series of coins as well as investors who want an investment which is guaranteed to grow in value may want to seek this coin out before it’s too late.

The coin features the image of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, with the reverse featuring Britannia seated with a trident and shield with the stripes of the Union Jack in the background. It’s a truly stunning design which is sure to appeal to collectors of Silver Britannia coins as well as anyone else with even a casual interest in coins or silver coins as investment vehicles. As is traditional for Silver Britannia coins going all the way back to the 1600s, the 2011 Silver Britannia is minted as a 95.8% silver coin (the remainder of the alloy is copper, in case you’re curious), contains one Troy ounce of silver and is of a size which is somewhat larger than a US Silver Dollar.

The 2011 Britannia has a face value of 2 Pounds, has a diameter of 40 millimeters and weighs in at 32.45 grams, making this the heaviest one ounce silver coin in the world. Collectors and investors may also be interested in the Proof 2011 Silver Britannia, which will be especially popular with collectors due to its very limited mintage of just 10,000 (2,500 of which are part of a limited edition release); like the regular 2011 Silver Britannia, the Proof edition features the seated Britannia on the reverse with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

The coin has another advantage for collectors and investors, which is that it is not only easily convertible to hard currency if needed – the 2011 Silver Britannia is actually legal tender in the United Kingdom, so collectors there do not even have to convert their coins first, since this is already a liquid asset.

Ever since being introduced in 1997, the 2 Pound Silver Britannia coin has been a favorite with UK citizens as well as collectors of silver coins the world over. Classic and modern at the same time, this coin is produced with the highest of artistic standards and craftsmanship, offering a respectful update of the iconic image of Britannia which has been a part of coins in the United Kingdom since the reign of Charles II. The 2011 Silver Britannia presents investors and collectors with a one of a kind chance to add a quintessential piece of British life and culture to their very own collections and is sure to become one of the year’s most coveted silver coins among collectors.

With the new 2011 New Zealand $2 Fiji Taku 1 oz Silver Coin, the Commonwealth of Fiji pays tribute to these large and increasingly rare turtles. These coins were minted and issued by the New Zealand Mint and are made from .999 fine silver with gilding, along with a stunning level of craftsmanship and artistic accomplishment which are certain to endear them to collectors and investors, the value of the coins as silver bullion entirely aside.

The design of the coin is what makes it really special. The obverse of the coin features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of Fiji and of course the entire Commonwealth in an effigy style portrait by the artist Raphael Maklouf. On the reverse of the coin is a gilded Taku, featuring a stylized shell design, seen here swimming in its native habitat of the Pacific Ocean. The reverse also features an engraved heading as well as the weight and metal quality of the coin.

The 2011 New Zealand $2 Fiji Taku 1 oz Silver Coin was produced in a very small mintage, with only 5,000 of these breathtaking collectible fine silver coins being available on the market. Collectors who have an interest in the work of the New Zealand Mint, exotic silver coins, marine wildlife or simply appreciate a solid investment in precious metals which also happens to be a striking work of art in its own right will want to sit up and take note. With supplies being so limited and the coin of such incredibly high quality, it is certain to become a coin which sits high on the “most wanted” list of collectors and investors around the world.

1. What is the coin?

Buffalo Gold Coins are also known as Gold Buffaloes. They’re 24-karat gold bullion coins that the United States began selling in 2006. The design of the coin is quite similar to the Indian Head nickel, which the United States produced from 1913-1938.

2. Why was the coin created?

The goal was to compete with foreign 24-karat gold bullion coins. Many investors were choosing foreign 99.99% pure gold coins, instead of the American Gold Eagle Coins (which were about 92% pure gold).

3. Who designed the coin?

The coin is actually a version of the Indian Head nickel that James Earle Fraser designed. Throughout his sculpting career, he received several public commissions. Fraser was born in Minnesota, but grew up in South Dakota. While living on the American Plains, he observed the hardships of the Native Americans living there. Fraser began sculpting at an early age, when he learned that he could shape clay from a local quarry, into various figures. While Fraser created many famous sculptures during his life, his most popular one was “The End of the Trail.” A San Francisco art exhibition featured it.

4. Why is the coin named after the buffalo?

Buffalo Gold Coins are named for the American Bison that’s featured on the tail of the coin. Technically, the American Bison is a distant relative of true Buffalos, which include the Asian Buffalo and African Buffalo. In fact, the American Bison is closer relative of the European Bison. Still, French fur trappers called the Bison that they trapped “boefus,” which refers to an ox. So linguistically speaking, the meaning of the terms “Bison” and “Buffalo” is similar.

5. Who is featured on the coin’s head?

On the head of the coin, one can see the picture of a Native American. According to Fraser, the original sculpture was a blend of three different American Indian chiefs from three different tribes. The names of the chiefs were Big Tree, Iron Tail, and Two Moons.

6. How much is the coin worth?

The “face value” of the coin is $50 USD. However, the initial price of the coin has increased substantially since the U.S. first produced it in 2006. While the initial price of the 2006 Buffalo Gold Coin was $800, the cost of the 2010 coin was over $1400. This is due to the value of gold when the coin is available on the market.

7. Are there replica coins?

Yes, and it’s important to note that such coins are not legal tender. That’s because the U.S. Government mint does not issue the coins. The copycat coins only contain a gold coat, and are sold for approximately $20. Thee replica coins also lack certain marks found on the genuine coins. That includes the words “$50″ and “FINE GOLD.”

U.S. Buffalo Gold Coins are certainly a worthwhile investment for serious coin collectors. The coin’s top-notch materials and craftsmanship provides you with a golden opportunity.

1. Know how to spot fake coins

When shopping for American Eagle Silver Coins, make sure to buy the real deal. The key is to know when a coin is fake or not. The coin’s surface is one of the main features to examine. This includes the metal used to produce the coin, and the various details on it. Many purchasers of collectible coins have a sixth sense that a particular coin doesn’t look genuine. But without knowing exactly what to look for, it’s impossible to know whether a coin is indeed a copycat.

Besides the appearance of the coin’s surface, you should also examine other features as well. Sometimes coins should have reeded edges or seams. Another key feature is the coin’s weight. The use of inferior alloys will impact the weight of the coin. You can also use a second coin to tap the coin in question. This should result in a “ring” of a particular pitch. If you don’t hear that ring, then the coin is quite likely an imposter.

2. Be wary of online shopping

Yes, the Internet has revolutionized the way that we do our shopping. But when making investments such as silver coins, it’s highly advisable that you examine the coin in person. Many fake American Eagle Silver Coins are flooding the market. But that’s not all! Many imitation coins are so similar to the genuine ones that you’d literally need a magnifying glass to verify whether or not they’re original or fake coins. If you do decide to buy online, make sure you purchase your coins from a reputable online coin dealer such as APMEX.

3. Shop around

As when buying any other collectible coin (or collectible, for that matter), it’s important to shop around. That will allow you to purchase the best quality coins, at the best prices. Shopping online is much easier than shopping offline. On the other hand, shopping via the Internet also makes it more difficult to verify the authenticity of the coin. Whether you shop online or offline, it’s possible to find sales and specials on American Eagle Silver Coins. As a word of caution, if the price for such coins seems too-good-to-be-true, then it likely is. That’s why it’s so crucial to verify the authenticity of a particular American Eagle Silver Coin, before purchasing it. Otherwise, you could end up spending a rock-bottom low price for a coin that isn’t worth a hill of beans.

The American Eagle Silver Coin is definitely one of the most attractive collectible coins on the market. These above tips will help you to find the right coin at the right price.

A popular coin in 2011 is the Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Bullion Coin, as this coin is legal tender all over the world and is known for its quality. The Canadian government guarantees that these coins are made from 99.99% pure gold, making them the first ever investment coins to reach this level of purity. This means that these coins will likely increase in value at a faster pace than many other coins, due to their higher gold content. In addition, these coins look great, as they have been masterfully designed and will make a great centerpiece to your investment portfolio.

Australia also has the 2011 Australian Kangaroo Gold Coin, which is a legal tender in Australia, despite being extremely limited in production. This means that this is an extremely valuable coin to have, especially when you factor in the fact that it changes in appearance every year. Since each year features a once in a lifetime coin, these coins hold a great deal of value. The Australian government guarantees that these coins are 99.99% pure gold, putting them on par with many other gold coins. What puts these coins on a different level is that each year is different and if you happen to resell to a collector who missed a year, you could be looking at a rather substantial resale value.

Silver coins are also very popular, starting with the 2011 Silver Maple Leaf coin. These coins are some of the more popular in the world and have increase in popularity as silver prices have gone up. All of these coins are crafted at the Royal Canadian Mint and are made from 99.9% pure silver. In addition, these coins are legal tender, so they are easy to trade anywhere in the world. These coins even have a higher face value than any other silver coins, as they are worth $5 guaranteed. Of course, the coin will end up being worth much more than that, but it is nice to know that its value can never drop below that level.

The 2011 Australian Silver Koala are made from 99.9%  pure silver and have a larger surface area than many silver coins. These coins are extremely high in quality and the mint has done a great job of putting a great deal of detail into the actual picture on the coin. These coins are redesigned very year, so you will find that the 2011 is unique.

Any of these coins would be a great gift for the coin collector in your family, as they will likely not depreciate in value and will give that person a solid investment in the future. Now is the time to invest in precious metals because they keep their value during economic downturns, since they are not linked to the face value on the coin.

I have personally bought some of these coins (Silver American Eagles and Canadian Maple Leaf Coins) from APMEX along with holiday season gift coin holders to use as stocking stuffers this Christmas.

US junk silver coins are usually sold as 40% or 90% silver content, as well as the “wartime” nickles with 35% silver. Some of the most popular are the pre-1965 Morgan and Peace dollars, Jefferson “wartime” nickels, Franklin and Kennedy half dollars, Roosevelt dimes, and Washington quarters.

There are several reasons to buy junk silver coins. One is that they are easily recognizable around the world and are easily traded. This makes them very popular among survivalists as “doomsday” currency. In addition, small trades could be done with the silver dimes and nickles. Silver bullion is almost always made in 1 ounce coins only, and therefore not as suitable for small trades as junk silver. Another reason to buy junk silver is that they have legal tender and real face falue…..althought the silver market would have to crash spectacularly for this to be a real benefit. These coins also sell for little or no premium over silver spot prices.

Junk silver coins are commonly sold as “junk silver bags” of different sizes and price. Typically these are sold as containing a “face value” of between $100 and $10,000. Of course the actually purchase price is much higher as dictated by silver spot prices. They are also commonly sold as junk silver rolls as well, containg 20-50 coins each.

Other popular junk silver coins come from the UK (50% and 92.5% silver), Canada (50% and 80% silver), and Australia (50% and 80% silver).

The most popular way to buy and sell these coins is through and reputable online coin retailers such as APMEX.

US Junk Silver Coins