Weekly World Mint Coinage: April 17, 2026

Australia – Perth Mint

New Ultra-High Relief Gold and Silver Proof Coins Mark Notable Royal Anniversary

The Perth Mint has released collector coins honouring the centenary birth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating a life of service, dignity and devotion to her country, peoples and the Commonwealth. Born April 21, 1926, she passed away in 2022 at the age of 96.

Throughout her life, the Queen was a symbol of resilience and dedication, guiding the monarchy through decades of profound social and political change. As Head of the Commonwealth, she fostered unity across diverse nations and remained a steadfast figure on the global stage.

Designed by Natasha Muhl, the reverse side of the gold and silver coins highlights all five effigies of Queen Elizabeth II which were included on Australian coinage produced by the Perth Mint from 1953 until 2023.

Each likeness reflects the evolving image of the monarch across seven decades of her reign and each effigy representing distinct periods of Australian contemporary life. At the centre is the most recent effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark which was introduced in 2019 and elegantly framed in an ornate design. Surrounding it are four earlier effigies beginning with the sculptor Mary Gillick’s portrait first seen in 1953 at the top right. The second effigy is the work of artist Arnold Machin first used when Australia’s currency transitioned to a decimal system in 1966 at the bottom right. Sculptor Raphael Maklouf’s elegant portrait was introduced onto Australian, British and Commonwealth coinage in 1985 and is seen at the bottom left and finally, artist Ian Rank-Broadley’s familiar likeness of the Queen introduced in 1998 is positioned to the top left. The background features Australia’s national floral emblem, the golden wattle, symbolising the nation’s connection to the Commonwealth. Arranged clockwise from the top, are motifs of St Edward’s Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb, Tudor rose, and Sovereign’s Sceptre, each signifying key elements of royal tradition and the monarch’s authority. The commemorative text placed above the primary design along the rim reads H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH II 100TH ANNIVERSARY. Below, 26 pearls along the rim, two rows of 13 on either side of the year of issue, 2026. The obverse includes the Commonwealth obverse effigy of HM King Charles III designed by engraver Dan Thorne. The year 2026 included as part of the legend. The specification of the coin and denomination are placed below the King’s likeness along the lower rim.

Each gold size and silver coins are presented in a classic black display case with a clear acrylic lid and outer protective box accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Perth Mint.

Canada – Royal Canadian Mint

Iconic CN Tower’s 50th Anniversary Commemorated on New Collector Range of Coins

What began as a high-rise telecommunications project that evolved into an architectural wonder that has since captured the hearts and minds of Canadians and visitors from around the world is being feted on new coins from the Royal Canadian Mint. Canada’s engineering excellence reached new heights with the building of the CN Tower, establishing it as a defining symbol of national ingenuity and technical achievement. Its name ‘CN’ refers to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower.

Since its official opening to the public on the 26 June 1976, the CN Tower has stood as a world-renowned landmark, instantly recognisable across the globe as a symbol of Canada’s ambition and innovation. The 554.4 metre or, 1,815-foot high communication platform was the tallest tower in the world until 2007 and remains the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, equalling 144 stories.

The coins feature a common obverse, featuring the Steven Rosati effigy of King Charles III.

2 Dollars – Bi-Metallic. The inner core of coin’s reverse, designed by Canadian illustrator Carl Wiens, features a view of the CN Tower overlooking Lake Ontario and dominating a contemporary downtown Toronto skyline, as it appeared in 1976. To the right of the tower is the commemorative logo which includes the text 50 YEARS ANS with the additional inscription LA TOUR CN TOWER placed below the primary design along the lower rim and between two maple leaf latent images. Additional silhouettes on the outer ring represent five decades of growth and architectural evolution, with the skyline in 1976 appearing on the left and the 2026 cityscape on the right. Superimposed over the left side of the skyline is the text CANADA and over the right side is the denomination 2 DOLLARS.

The colourised version of the coin is enhanced with a glow-in-the-dark effect. When activated, the coin’s glow-in-the-dark technology reveals the CN Tower and skyline illuminated at night. The CN Tower $2 commemorative coin is only the second circulation coin to feature this Royal Canadian Mint innovation.

20 Dollars – Silver. The reverse side of this rectangular-shaped coin is designed by Canadian artist Steve Hepburn and features the CN Tower at its centre, bordered by neighbouring architecture in the foreground and set against a stylised collage of different views from the Tower’s observation deck. The years 1976 and 2026 are placed on the left and right side of the main observation enclosure. Below the primary design is the text CANADA placed along the lower rim. The coin is enhanced with a glow-in-the-dark effect. The denomination 20 DOLLARS is on the obverse.

200 Dollars – Gold. The reverse designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin features an upwards perspective of the landmark. From this low-angle view, the tower’s height and elegance are emphasised. On the left of the tower is also an elongated image of a Canadian maple leaf behind a backdrop of sun rays from the centre of the design reaching the rim. Above and along the upper rim is the text CANADA 1976 – 2026. The denomination 200 DOLLARS is on the obverse.

The BU $2 coins are available in a two-piece Collector Keepsake Card, presented in an illustrated folder. Both the colour and plain versions are available in Special Wrap Rolls of 25 coins. An additional option available is a Special Wrap Roll Box Set of both types of rolls, featuring encapsulated examples of the colour and plain coin. The gold and silver proof coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Canadian Mint.

The circulation quality $2 coins are limited to a mintage of three million pieces – allocated to one million plain and two million colour.

Hungary – National Bank of Hungary

Silver Coins Mark 350th Anniversary of Birth of National Hero Featuring Special Edge Inscription

New coins marking the 350th anniversary of the birth of Ferenc II Rákóczi are offered from the National Bank of Hungary. A national hero, Ferenc II Rákóczi (1676 – 1735) is best remembered for having led a near-successful national uprising of all Hungary against Habsburg rule. 

Born into an aristocratic Magyar or, Hungarian family, both his father and stepfather had led previous insurrections against the ruling Habsburgs, which meant Rákóczi grew up in an atmosphere of fervent patriotism. After the surrender of the city of Munkács in 1688 to the Austrians, he was separated from his mother and remaining family at the age of 12, thereafter he was taken to Vienna to be educated at a Jesuit college in Bohemia.

He came to believe in the Hungarian cause of self-rule, but Rákóczi was arrested and imprisoned, managing to escape death with his wife’s help by leaving his cell in disguise. Having lived in self-imposed exile in Poland for the next two years, he returned to Hungary in 1703 to put himself at the head of the peasant revolt known as the Kurucok rising. Simultaneously, Transylvanians were looking to Rákóczi to restore their independence, and elected him prince of the realm in July 1704.

He died in April 1735 in the town of Tekirdağ in the region of East Thrace. His remains were eventually reinterred in his homeland in 1906 and buried on the grounds of St. Elisabeth Cathedral in the town of Kassa, Kingdom of Hungary – present-day Košice, Slovakia.

The BU and proof quality coins are produced by the Mint of Hungary at their facilities in Budapest on behalf of the National Bank. Designed by sculptor Borbála Szanyi, the obverse side features a half-profile portrait of Francis II Rákóczi facing to the right and based on a painting by Ádám Mányoki circa 1712. To the right of the portrait is the text 350 ÉVE SZÜLETETT and II. RÁKÓCZI FERENC (350th anniversary of the birth of Francis II Rákóczi) within a half circle line near the rim. The designer’s stylised initials BS are seen just to the lower right. The reverse side features an intricately detailed depiction of the great wax seal of Francis II Rákóczi off-centre to the left. Along the right rim is the text MAGYARORSZÁG (Hungary) together with an interior half circle line. Below the seal is the denomination 40000 FORINT (silver) or 6000 FORINT (base metal) with the year of issue, 2026 and the mintmark BP: denoting the Budapest Mint found just near the lower right rim. Of particular interest and as a special feature on both versions is the incused edge lettering which   is imprinted in two lines in different directions, in Latin and Hungarian: – ISTEN AZ IGAZ ÜGYET NEM HAGYJA EL – IUSTAM CAUSAM DEUS NON DERELINQUET (God will not abandon a just cause) – ISTENNEL A HAZÁÉRT ÉS SZABADSÁGÉRT – CUM DEO PRO PATRIA ET LIBERTATE (With God for homeland and freedom) The inscriptions are derived from two of Rákóczi’s mottos which are found on the family’s crest.

Each BU and proof coin is encapsulated and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. A presentation case to house the coin is available as a separate purchase. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Hungarian Mint.