Weekly World Mint Coinage: July 9, 2026

New Zealand - Reserve Bank of New Zealand

Silver Proof Hexagon Coins Reflect Shape of Honeycombs

 The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s latest collector coins focusing on the importance of  apiary activity. Honeybees have been part of New Zealand’s bio-infrastructure for more than 150 years. Their arrival is attributed to Mary Bumby, the sister of a Methodist missionary who introduced these special insects to New Zealand. It is believed she brought two hives ashore when she landed at the Māngungu Mission Station at Hokianga in March 1839.

At the heart of every beehive and colony is the honeycomb, a structure made up of hexagonal cells that serve multiple purposes. Each cell is a perfect example of geometric efficiency, providing maximum storage space while using the least amount of building material. The honeycomb is used for storing honey and pollen, as well as for housing the eggs, larvae, and pupae that will become the next generation of bees. This design also provides strength and stability, ensuring that the honeycomb can support the weight of the bees, their food stores and their young. Bees instinctively know how to create these shapes, and their ability to do so is a testament to their evolutionary success.

Honey from New Zealand is considered one of the most flavourful and, due to the indigenous plants, a very unique taste both admired and in demand internationally. New Zealand’s own premium Mānuka honey variant is a massive economic earner, generating upwards of $400 million annually from exports alone.

The silver Proof and colour coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Designed by New Zealand artist Helcia Berryman, along with the assistance from Apiculture New Zealand, the reverse features a photographic image of a queen bee in colour. Additional images of a honeycomb hive and worker bees are included in the background. The gold-plated text reads QUEEN BEE and the denomination $1 is placed to the left side. The obverse features an effigy of HM King Charles III created by engraver Stephen Fuller. The legend CHARLES III 2026 NEW ZEALAND encircles the royal portrait. The specifications .999 Ag 1oz is placed below the King’s likeness.

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity and outer presentation box. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of New Zealand Post, official distributors on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (subject to availability). Alternatively, they can be purchased from the e-webshop of Power Coin – official distributors.

Oman - The Central Bank of Oman

Silver Proof Collector Coin Issued in Tribute to World Cup 2026

 To support a passion for sport, the Central Bank of Oman roffers their first-ever collector coins in support of the FIFA World Cup tournament. Football is the undisputed national sport in Oman, with roughly 30% of the population identifying as avid fans. The deep-rooted passion is fuelled by a strong domestic competition headed by the Oman Professional League and fervent support for the national team, historically known as Al-Ahmar, translated as The Reds.

Although Oman has never qualified for the FIFA Men's World Cup, the national team has consistently and enthusiastically competed in the qualification stages for decades. The nation has cheered on their neighbours who have qualified and are competing in this year’s FIFA tournament. A record-breaking eight Arab nations have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia). According to the latest FIFA world rankings, Oman sits at 79th globally. 

The obverse of the coin depicts the stylised image of a traditional Omani sailing ship, the sail of which is adorned with the name of the country written in an innovative Arabic font, to the right of the sail is the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. In the background is an Omani fort topped with the flag of the Sultanate of Oman in the national colours. The commemorative text FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 is shown just under the sailing ship. The primary design is surrounded by a decorative frame with soccer balls. The reverse features the Omani national emblem which depicts a khanjar or, traditional curved dagger inside its sheath, superimposed over two crossed swords. The khanjar is placed in the centre, with the crossed swords behind it. Below the emblem is the English text SULTANATE OF OMAN and the same in Arabic script appears above the crest. To the right is the coins’ denomination of ONE RIAL and the same appears to the right in Arabic script. The year 2026 is shown just below the crossed swords. Below the primary design is the English text CENTRAL BANK OF OMAN and the same is shown above the design in Arabic text. The whole of the design is surrounded by a beaded border.

Of the total mintage of 5,000 pieces, 1,000 are allocated for Oman’s domestic market and 4,000 coins will be distributed for sale abroad through international companies licensed by FIFA.

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the numismatic webpage of the Central Bank of Oman.

United Kingdom - Royal Mint

America’s 250th Anniversary of Independence Celebrated

 The Royal Mint honours the Semiquincentennial anniversary of American independence with a unique gold numismatic tribute. A revolutionary document ingrained in the fabric of the United States of America, the Declaration of Independence stands the test of time as the blueprint for the nation’s future. Rousing, stirring and invoked by some of history’s most revered American statesmen, the Declaration of Independence and all of the principles that founded a remarkable nation remains intact 250 years on.

The English first established a permanent foothold in 1607. Between 1625 and 1775, the colonial population grew from just 2 thousand to 2.4 million which the British government operated under a policy of mercantilism, in which the central government administered its colonies for Britain's economic benefit. As the 13 colonies had a degree of self-governance and active local elections, they were able to resist London's demands for more control over them. The colonists argued that as the colonies had no representation in the British Parliament, it was a flagrant violation of their rights as Englishmen for taxes to be imposed upon them. Parliament rejected the colonial protests and asserted its authority by passing further taxes.

These conflicts with the British government over taxes and rights led to the American Revolution. The document which became known as the Declaration of independence offered the political, moral, and legal justification to break away from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The Revolutionary War would last just over eight years, beginning with the first battle at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on the 19th April 1775, and officially concluding with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on the 3rd September 1783 in which the British Government and King George III formally recognised the independence of the United States of America.

The reverse of the coins is designed by the Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver Gordon Summers whose work prominently features the mighty quill that penned the parchment, along with the iconic American eagle in intricate detail. The primary design is encircled with the commemorative text 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE placed along the rim. The obverse includes the effigy of King Charles III – a direct descendant of King George III, created by sculptor Martin Jennings. The denomination from 2 POUNDS to 5000 POUNDS and year of issue 2026 is shown as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. The one-ounce silver Proof coins include an incused edge lettering which reads • E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The silver Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in black leatherette matte cases accompanied with numbered certificates of authenticity. The £25 and £100 gold proof coins are encapsulated and presented in polished gloss wood cases accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information about this new collector series, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.