Latest News

Alex Sadler

30 March 2026

3 min read

Registration Now Open for The Coin Conference 2026

Registration is now open for The Coin Conference 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, from 28-30 September. The main programme for the event is currently being finalised and is set to be released soon. In the meantime, the two pre-conference workshops have now been announced.

Events Free Free

Alex Sadler

30 March 2026

5 min read

US Penny Shortages Continue

Production of the humble penny (one cent coin), long a staple of US American currency, officially ceased last year. This seems to have created an unexpected set of challenges for businesses, banks, and consumers across the United States. While pennies remain legal tender and existing coins will continue to circulate, access to them has already become an issue, prompting retailers to adopt new practices and the US Treasury to issue guidance.

Circulating Coins

Alex Sadler

2 March 2026

2 min read

China Celebrates Year of the Fire Horse

In the Chinese conception of time, Chinese New Year is a vital juncture for new beginnings and new prospects, while the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs serve as cultural markers of time cycles. Among the zodiac animals, the fire horse symbolises vitality, freedom, reliability, progress, and success. The 2026 circulating commemorative coin for the Year of the Horse marks the final issue of the second series of Chinese New Year commemorative circulating coins.

Commemorative Coins Free Free

Dr Tomasz Jagielinski

2 March 2026

5 min read

How Long Do Coins Last in Circulation?

The issue of estimated coin life has been a subject of speculation for a long time. There are limited data and systematic studies about the life of coins. Publicly available information from world mints suggests that coins could remain in circulation for at least 25 or 30 years. There are other sources suggesting that coins could last in circulation much longer and their lifetime could even exceed 50 years.

Cash in Circulation Studies, Reports

Alex Sadler

2 March 2026

4 min read

WMF Celebrates 20 Years in Berlin

The recent World Money Fair, held annually in Berlin at the end of January and beginning of February, is typically titled ‘the largest coin fair in the world’. This year’s iteration welcomed 320 exhibitors to the three day event, including mints and national banks from around 50 countries.

Events

Alex Sadler

2 March 2026

5 min read

News in Brief

Bullion International Group (BIG), part of MKS PAMP GROUP, has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in SOLIT. The acquisition marks a new step in BIG’s international growth strategy, expanding its European footprint.

News

Alex Sadler

2 March 2026

2 min read

People in the News

A few recent personnel updates from Osborne Coinage, the Lithuanian Mint, and the Royal Canadian Mint.

News

Alex Sadler

2 March 2026

4 min read

Safeguarding Sovereignty at Monnaie de Paris

As debates continue about the future of money, one institution consistently aware of and exploring the crossroads of cash, digital currency, and economic sovereignty is Monnaie de Paris. At the recent World Money Fair in Berlin, Coin & Mint News™ spoke to its CEO, Marc Schwartz, about the role of cash in an increasingly digital world, the Mint’s continuing success, and the launch of several new programmes in 2026.

Mints

Alex Sadler

2 March 2026

4 min read

Expanding Global Pathways for Coin Repatriation

In August 2024, Global Coin Solutions incorporated its first overseas subsidiary office in Tokyo. Nearly 18 months after the company’s expansion into the heart of Asia’s coin market, Coin & Mint News™ caught up with founder and President, Scott Hutchings, about its development, the complexities of global coin repatriation, and the growing social impact of its charitable initiatives.

Companies

Alex Sadler

5 Feb. 2026

3 min read

Currency Associations Join Forces

The International Currency Association (ICA) and the International Mint Industry Association (IMIA) have announced that they will merge to become a combined industry association. The two organisations will join forces under the ICA umbrella, aiming to unite the global currency industry more closely and strengthen the collective voice for cash, including both banknotes and coins.

Associations

Alex Sadler

5 Feb. 2026

2 min read

RDM Expands National Partnerships

The Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has secured a new multi-year contract with the Central Bank of Ireland to mint all Irish collector coins and, from May 2026, €2 commemorative coins celebrating Irish culture and heritage. This agreement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between RDM and several European central banks.

Central Bank Mints

John Winchcombe

5 Feb. 2026

9 min read

The Starting Point of Payment Efficiency

When ensuring payment efficiency, the goal is to minimise the number of coins and notes required to make and settle a payment. There are many ways to achieve this. Perhaps the simplest methodology to achieve an optimal currency structure for coins and banknotes is the principle of least effort, ie. the settlement of cash transactions using, on average, as few coins and/or banknotes as possible.

Cash in Circulation

Alex Sadler

29 Dec. 2025

4 min read

2025 – A Year in Headlines

This year has seen much change that has impacted world of coins, and yet much remains the same. Here, Coin & Mint News summarises the year in headlines.

Free Free

Alex Sadler

5 Dec. 2025

3 min read

New Danish Coins Enter Circulation

Danmarks Nationalbank has begun issuing Denmark's new coins featuring the effigy or monogram of the current reigning monarch, King Frederik X. Research and development of the new coins began in January 2024, following the abdication of his mother Queen Margrethe II and the King’s subsequent accession to the throne.

Circulating Coins

Alex Sadler

1 Dec. 2025

4 min read

UK Sovereign Returns to Gold

The Royal Mint has launched its 2026 Sovereign Collection, offering more advanced security features and a return to the classic yellow gold colouring.

Metals Numismatics

China Golden Coin

1 Dec. 2025

2 min read

New Records for 2025 Beijing International Coin Exposition

The Beijing International Coin Exposition has been held since 1995, with 29 editions of the event resulting in a cumulative attendance of one million visits. The most recent Coin Expo was held at the China National Convention Center from 31 October to 2 November 2025.

Events Free Free

Alex Sadler

1 Dec. 2025

3 min read

RAM Reports Increased Demand for Circulating Coinage

During the year that the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) celebrated its 60th anniversary, it issued over 131 million circulating coins with a face-value of A$75.37 million, nearly three times the 47.7 million coins issued the previous year.

Mints Studies, Reports

Alex Sadler

1 Dec. 2025

4 min read

Striking Tributes: Minting for Remembrance

Over the years, mints around the world have marked Remembrance Day with specially designed commemorative coins, honouring the lives and sacrifices of those who served. These coins tell a story not only of conflict and remembrance, but of the evolving ways we choose to commemorate history. Here, we cover a few recent commemorative issues.

Commemorative Coins Free Free

Alex Sadler

1 Dec. 2025

3 min read

Farewell to the Penny, in More Ways Than One

The United States has reached a turning point in its monetary history. After 232 years of continuous production, the penny (or one cent coin) has finally ceased to roll off the presses for circulation. The US Mint hosted a ceremonial strike event at its Philadelphia facility in mid-November, with United States Treasurer Brandon Beach striking the final circulating penny coin.

Circulating Coins

Alex Sadler

30 Oct. 2025

10 min read

How Are Mints Planning for the Future?

In an era when physical cash is increasingly challenged by digital payments and the demand for circulating coins is shrinking in many countries, mints around the world are being compelled to rethink their business models. The decline in the traditional coinage business has resulted in many mints diversifying and finding new sources of revenue and roles beyond sheer volume production of circulating coins.

Editorial Mints