Demonstrating that the Deadly & Dangerous 1oz Silver Proof Series is far from dead, the latest edition – the 2012 $1 Funnel Web 1oz Silver proof – has sold out in what may well be the quickest time of all coins in the series thus far! The seventh coin in this incredibly popular series, the Funnel Web was actually all but sold out before Downies headed to the Melbourne ANDA coin show last weekend with the remaining 20 coins in hand. Of course, those coins were snapped up very quickly and thus every last one of the 5,000 coin mintage had been allocated.

Now, however, the sell-out is officially announced, and all collector minds begin to consider – will there be an eighth Deadly & Dangerous coin in 2013? And, how can I guarantee that I secure one for my collection? The answer…

Stay tuned to Downies.com!

Prestigious, desirable and highly limited, the 2012 $100 Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle 1oz Gold Proof is one of the most exclusive gold issues of 2012 thus far!

The epitome of numismatic craftsmanship, each 1oz beauty is struck to the height of Proof quality from an entire Troy ounce of.9999 fine gold. A spellbinding legal tender issue, paying homage to one of the most renowned native Australian creatures – the Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle, each 38.61mm diameter flan is adorned in full colour upon a frosted background and mirrored field.

Depicting the intricate detail of Australia’s largest raptor in fully struck-up high relief, this superb gold Proof is destined to command the attention of every collector who is enchanted by the unparalleled beauty and rarity of the world’s favourite precious metal! Restricted to a global mintage of just 150 coins, this prestigious, edge numbered Proof is only to be enjoyed by the privileged few!

The ultimate tribute to a species facing the brutal realities of extinction, head on over to downies.com to secure what is sure to be one of the hottest issues of 2012!

With every commemorative for 2012’s Year of the Dragon receiving an abundance of interest throughout the global market, the Royal Australian Mint has just announced the addition of two releases that no one anticipated to be issued into their product portfolio – comes a 1oz Silver Proof and a 1/10oz Gold Proof.

Celebrating the world’s favourite lunar sign, each pad printed coin depicts the RAM’s signature dragon upon a vivid coloured background. Struck to the highest of Proof quality from .999 fine silver, the 40.00mm Silver Proof is restricted to a global mintage of just 18,000 coins. A highly exclusive, matching, 17.53mm Gold issue, crafted also to Proof quality from .9999 fine gold – this exquisite coin is limited to a mintage of just 8,000 coins.

Issued as official Australian Legal tender, and struck specifically for an international corporate order – only a minuscule number of each the 1oz Silver Proof and 1/10oz Gold Proof will be available on the market – immediate action is needed to secure what is sure to be one of the most popular RAM releases yet!

Spectacularly sought after, the 2011 Beijing International Coin Exposition 2-coin set has left hungry collectors frantically searching to secure their ‘East Meets West’ souvenir.

A culturally combined issue, the Perth Mint has intricately united elements of Beijing and Australia – delivering one of the most popular 2-coin sets of the year.

Struck from ½ ounce of .999 pure silver, each coin has been endorsed as official Australian Legal Tender and is fittingly presented within an illustrated envelope. Housing the signature Perth Mint Year of the Dragon coin issued for the highly anticipated arrival of 2012, the second coin pays tribute to an Australian Koala asleep in a eucalyptus tree.

With a tiny global mintage of just 2,888 sets, of which nearly two thirds walked out the doors in Beijing, we are currently trying to secure an allocation directly from the mint. For those interested in trying to attain what has been one of the hottest 2-coin releases of 2011, stay tuned to www.downies.com for further information on our allocations!

Dead, wounded and held captive – The Battle of Tobruk

8 months, 559 dead, 2450 wounded and 941 taken prisoner, in 1941 Australian troops endured intense bombing and constant threat of attack from both the German and Italian forces. Fighting through incredible heat, cold, thirst and hunger with unmistakable bravery, determination and passion - 2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Tobruk.
Commemorating one of the first major battles that Australia fought in World War II, The Rats of Tobruk 1941 Special Exhibition is on display in the Canberra Memorial until November 16 2011.

A critical feat in Australian history, Downies is proud to present two Tobruk releases honouring our Aussie hero’s:

Genuine ‘Rats of Tobruk’ Medal Group

One of the most prestigious pieces of militaria to be offered by Downies – this genuine medal group awarded to Sapper Robert Charles Boulger – an Australian Serviceman who not only served at Tobruk but also managed to escape captivity in Europe in 1943. Comprised of ‘The Rats of Tobruk Medal’ received as testimony to Boulger’s service, the set also includes the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Accompanied by an array of personal memorabilia, this striking set allows the rare opportunity for a collector to connect with one of Australia’s true hero’s.

2011 $1 Tobruk 1oz Silver Proof

The second release in the Perth Mint's Famous Battles collection, this full colour reverse depicts the Australian soldiers at the siege of Tobruk. Struck to Proof quality from 1oz of .999 fine silver, this legal tender, 40.60mm release is a stunning tribute to the legendary Battle of Tobruk.

Power, Ambition and Death – 1553

The final time that the Kingdom of England experienced three changes in power within the one year, 1553 saw the passing of Edward VI which lead to a series of events that ultimately lead to death, betrayal and once again the shifting of power throughout the monarchy.

Initiated by the passing of King Edward VI, England’s throne was handed down to Lady Jane Grey, a cousin of Mary. In a bid to continue Protestantism throughout the nation, in his final days King Edward VI questioned Mary’s right to the throne, passing it instead to her cousin. Despite the obvious public support for Mary to take the throne, Lady Jane ruled England for nine days, however was over thrown by Mary, who once in power commanded the execution of Lady Jane to ensure that her power remained.

Queen Mary I immediately worked to restore the Roman Catholic faith back to England. With her efforts seeing the restoration of old English law enforcing heresy against the church, Queen Mary I became known as ‘Bloody Mary’ whereby she oversaw the burning of 300 people at the stake for following beliefs contrary to the Roman Catholic faith.

Queen Mary I reigned England for five years, however suffered from an early death in 1558.

In celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the Three Kings of 1936 – England’s latest occurrence of welcoming three separate Kings to the throne within one iconic year comes the Niue 2011 $5 Three Kings of 1936 Silver Proof. Available for purchase from www.downies.com, this eye-catching commemorative retails for $199.00.

Murder for Power – King Edward IV, King Edward V and King Richard III

1483 saw the third occurrence within the British Monarchy where three kings – Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III, ruled the throne within the one year. Beginning with his second reign in 1471, King Edward IV controlled the British throne until his death in 1483. Upon his death, King Edward IV left the throne to his eldest son Prince Edward. Ascending to the throne at just 13 years old, King Edward V was aided by his uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester as he was too young to rule the monarchy alone. Ruling for just two months, King Edward V was transferred to the Tower of London to await his coronation, along with his younger brother Prince Richard.

Days before Edward’s awaited coronation, both little princes were declared illegitimate as King Edward IV’s marriage to their mother, Elizabeth Woodville, became invalid - thus enabling the third in line for the throne, King Edward IV’s brother Richard to be crowned King Richard III. Within a month into King Richard III’s ruling, King Edward IV’s two sons mysteriously disappeared from the Tower of London – never to be seen again.

In 1674 the bodies of two children were discovered within one of the towers. Unable to identify who these two children were, the bodies were transferred and reburied at Westminster Abbey.

Celebrating the iconic year of 1936 – The final time that the British Monarchy experienced three different rulers within the one calendar year, the Niue 2011 Three Kings of 1936 Silver Proof is available for purchase at www.downies.com.

History Repeats – 1216

Following in a similar direction to the Kings of 1066, in 1216 the English Monarchy once again saw three Kings take the throne. Welcoming King John, Louis VIII and Henry III, 1216 was a year of invasion, decease and reclamation of the monarchy.

Crowned in 1199, John, son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine was handed the throne upon the passing of his brother King Richard the Lionheart. Upon ruling successfully for 17 years, King John’s reign was challenged when Louis VIII, son of the King of France, invaded England in 1216. Receiving support and acceptance from the public as England’s new King, Louis VIII began to conquer half of the kingdom - however he was yet to be crowned. Upon the Death of King John in October 1216, Louis VIII’s supporters turned against him, welcoming instead King John’s nine year old son Henry III as the new King of England.

In celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the Three Kings of 1936 – England’s latest occurrence of welcoming three separate Kings to the throne within one iconic year comes the . Available for purchase from www.downies.com, this eye-catching commemorative retails for $199.00.

Majestic, Exclusive & Stunningly Rare!

An extremely exclusive tribute to a renowned Australian species, the second release in the sold out ‘Extinct and Endangered’ series pays tribute to one of the most distinctive birds of prey – the Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle.

Spectacularly powerful, forcefully independent and the ruler of the sky, the Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle is one of the most extraordinary creatures found within open plains, forests and mountains of Tasmania. Classified as endangered by both the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments, the Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle faces the brutal realities of extinction. With an estimated population of 1,500 with only 130 pairs capable of breeding, fierce efforts are being put into place to maintain this majestic creature in our skies.

Struck to Proof quality from .999 fine silver, the full-colour obverse portrays this remarkable animal surrounded by the rustic terrain of the Tasmanian Highlands. Superbly crafted from The Perth Mint’s highest minting standards, this 40mm Proof is housed within a glossy ‘birds-eye’ wood grain presentation case and accompanying numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

A truly spectacular second release, this official Australian legal tender coin is restricted to a tiny mintage of just 5,000. Available for purchase online, head on over to Downies.com!

For more information or to purchase online, please click on the appropriate link:

Australia

North America

A legendary battle that instigated Medieval England

Celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the notorious Three Kings of 1936, comes the .  Issued in remembrance of a series of chain reactions that saw the passing of George V, voluntary abdication of Edward VIII and finally the crowning of George VI, the Three Kings of 1936 was an extraordinary event in Great Britain’s Monarchy. However as history would have it, for the English Throne it was history repeating itself…

1066, a year that historian’s celebrate as the beginning of Medieval England and the first year in which the Kingdom of England welcomed four kings to the throne.

With the passing of Edward the Confessor (1042-66), Edgar, the closest living relative of Edward was proclaimed. Whilst extraordinarily young and spending much of his time in Hungary, the people of England knew very little of Edgar – a critical measure that ultimately lead to his default in being crowned King of England, enabling Harold Godwinson to step in and take the throne. The most powerful nobleman in England and the Earl of Wessex, Harold Godwinson claimed that Edward had promised the throne to him on his deathbed. With the noblemen in the country agreeing to the change in power, Harold was crowned King just two days after the death of Edward the Confessor.

Once news spread that Harold Godwinson was the new King of England, William the Conqueror decided to claim what he believed to be rightfully his. With a promise being made two years prior to the death of Edward, in 1064 Harold was placed in captivity by Count Guy de Ponthieu. With a choice to take the payment from William for his freedom and pass up the opportunity to be King upon the death of Edward or spend the rest of his life in captivity, Harold chose freedom – returning to England to resume his life as a nobleman.

With no written evidence of this agreement, Harold defended his actions by claiming that William had blackmailed him into passing up the throne, and therefore his claim was not valid. For further complications, the King of Norway and Denmark Harold Hardrada came forward indicating that the Danes had in the past conquered England and therefore the throne was rightfully his.

With three men claiming that they were the rightful heir to Edward, two battles were played out – the Battle of Stamford and the Battle of Hastings, which ultimately led to the death of both Harold Godwinson and Harold Hardrada and the crowning of King William I on Christmas Day 1066.

A tale that the English Throne witnessed a further three times and experienced again in 1936 – these stunning chronicles shaped the future and fate of the British nation. The 2011 Three Kings of 1936 Silver Proof is available for purchase at www.downies.com.