Weekly World Mint Coinage: October 8, 2026

Canada - Royal Canadian Mint

Gold and Silver Proof Coins Highlight Historic Library of Parliament

A national symbol of knowledge, democracy, and continuity that has graced Ottawa’s Parliament Hill for 150 years is being celebrated across Canada. The Library of Parliament, officially opened its doors in 1876, is located atop a steep cliff overlooking the Ottawa River. The distinct building stands as the most important example of High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in Canada and is regarded as a masterpiece of design and a profound symbol of institutional resilience.

For 150 years, the Library of Parliament has been at the physical and symbolic centre of Canada’s democracy. Its story is not limited to just a landmark in the country’s capital city, it is also about the evolution of an institution of knowledge dedicated to the information and research needs of parliamentarians. Architects Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones were chosen in 1859 to design a new Parliament building, which would include a library. When construction was completed, the library was built to include an impressive dome with a wrought iron frame spanning 47.2 metres or, 154.86 feet. The Library of Parliament’s dome was the first of its kind in Canada when the library was inaugurated in 1876.

The building itself has become a symbol of strength as its own story has been one of resilience and constant care, having survived two fires and undergoing several restorations. Had it not been for the insightful planning of Alpheus Todd, the first parliamentary librarian who added his own conditions for construction of the Library’s portion of the project, much of the institution’s vast collection might not be available today. He had insisted that the new library be housed in a separate structure with fireproof iron doors.

His concerns were put to the test when in 1916, fire destroyed the original centre block, leaving the Library as the only part of the original building left standing. The second fire occurred in 1952 when another fire broke out in the dome of the Library, with smoke and water causing heavy damage to both the building and the collection. This time, the building was saved, but many books and newspaper collections were damaged and about 150,000 volumes needed to be removed from the shelves, dried and painstakingly rebound.

The library building underwent additional conservation work ahead of Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967, stabilising the structure and restoring its interior. Restoration work was initiated again in 2002 and more recently in 2019.

20 Dollars – Silver. Artist Tony Bianco’s design consists of a view of the Library of Parliament. The historic octagonal stone building is highlighted by its Ultra High Relief engraving and its ornate High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. Selective colour also adds a profusion of fall colours to the scene, highlighting the tree-covered bluff from which the Library of Parliament rises from the Ottawa River. Above the scroll banner, an open book displays the years 1876 and 2026 highlighting the library’s 150th anniversary. Below the primary design is the text CANADA.

200 Dollars – Gold. Designed by Canadian artist John Mantha, it focuses on the only surviving elements of the 1916 fire that devastated the original centre block and is featured on the reverse. Featured is a stylised rendering of the Library of Parliament’s richly ornamented interior. Crowned by a lantern dome, the vaulted ceiling and clerestory are viewed from the base of the Queen Victoria statue, emphasising the dome’s impressive height, while the circular room’s walls are lined with wood panels, pillars and bookcases. Placed within the woodwork and close to the left and right rims are the commemorative years 1876 and 2026.

The obverse of both coins features the effigy of King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati. Below the king’s likeness is the denomination 200 DOLLARS (gold) and 20 DOLLARS (silver)

Both the gold and silver Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the Royal Canadian Mint.

Ireland – Royal Dutch Mint

Latest €2 Commemorative Coins Honour Irish Rock Band U2 

This year, U2 celebrates 50 years since first forming in Dublin in 1976. The acclaimed Irish rock band has released 15 studio albums and remains one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold an estimated 150 - 170 million records worldwide. Their accolades include 22 Grammy Awards, eight Brit Awards, four Ivor Novello Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

The band was formed when the members were teenaged pupils of Mount Temple Comprehensive School. The band includes Paul ‘Bono’ Hewson as lead vocals and rhythm guitar, David ‘the Edge’ Evans as lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals, Adam Clayton who plays bass guitar and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums and percussion. Initially rooted in the post-punk scene of the late ‘70s, U2's musical style has evolved throughout their career.

Originally known as The Hype, the unusual name U2 was chosen from a list of suggestions provided by graphic designer and friend Steve Averill because the band disliked it the least, but also doubling as a pun on the phrase ‘you too’ and a reference to the Lockheed U-2 spy plane.

Works such as their first UK number-one album, War released 1983, their singles ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ and ‘Pride - In the Name of Love’ established U2's reputation as a politically and socially conscious group. By the mid-1980s, U2 had become renowned globally for their live act, highlighted by their performance at Live Aid in 1985.

U2 are considered adept at reinventing themselves most notably in the 1990s beginning with their acclaimed seventh album, Achtung Baby released in 1991. By 2000, the group re-established a more conventional, mainstream sound with the release of their album All That You Can't Leave Behind in 2000. In 2023, U2 released their latest album entitled Songs of Surrender, a compilation of re-recorded songs that includes their Achtung Baby Live concert performance which inaugurated Sphere, a new music and entertainment arena in Las Vegas.

Both BU and Proof quality coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands on behalf of the Central Bank of Ireland and designed by Shaughn McGrath with close input and collaboration with U2 band members themselves. The design recreates a recent photograph of U2 members, left to right David Evans - Paul ‘Bono’ Hewson - Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. Above the primary design is the text EIRE and U2 / 50TH ANNIVERSARY with the year of issue 2026 placed just under the band members images. The design is surrounded by t12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union. The reverse of the €2 coins is that of the standard Euro-zone design for all circulating 2 euro coins, the numeral 2 is superimposed over a map depicting Europe created by artist Luc Luycx.

The BU quality coins are presented in a sealed coin-card format with illustrations and specifications about the coin. The Proof versions are encapsulated and presented in a folder with images and specifications. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the Central Bank of Ireland.

United Kingdom - Royal Mint

50 Pence Collector Coin Range Pays Tribute to Show’s Enduring Popularity.

It was on the 27th September 2006 that the smash-hit musical Wicked debuted in London’s West End and has become the longest running show at the Apollo Victoria Theatre to date. Featuring a Grammy Award–winning soundtrack written and composed by Stephen Schwartz, and a spellbinding script by Winnie Holzman, Wicked has been hailed as “one of the West End’s true modern classics” which epitomises West End musical theatre at its finest.

Wicked is actually a revisionist prequel and parallel story to The Wizard of Oz, and based on the best-selling novel Wicked, The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. The musical’s story reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The story itself begins before Dorothy arrives in Oz, which runs parallel to her journey, and concludes after the events of the original tale.

Wicked, staged at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre for 20 years, has played over 7407 performances, and has broken several weekly box office records around the world.

Designed by Ffion Rees, the reverse features a collage of iconic motifs from the show, including Elphaba’s iconic hat and broomstick as the centrepiece, under which the title logo of the musical serves as an inscription. Vivid colour printing included on a consignment of BU base metal and sterling silver strikes embellishes the motifs from the show’s vibrant production. The obverse includes the effigy of King Charles III created by engraver Martin Jennings. Both the denomination of 50 PENCE and the year of issue, 2026 are shown as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness.

Both versions of the 50 pence BU cupro-nickel coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations. The sterling silver Proof versions are presented in a custom Perspex / Lucite transparent cube case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. The gold Proof coins are presented in a polished hardwood case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.