Your collector dad’s birthday is coming up, you need a special gift for the kid that loves Harry Potter, your anniversary is fast approaching and your partner has it all, it’s almost Christmas and you don’t know where to begin! No worries, we have you covered with unique, quality gifts for everyone on your list, no matter the occasion. Guaranteed to please on any budget…

If Downies Collectables has a superpower, it’s helping our customers find stand-out gifts for those they love. Surprise and delight with a special pressie that shows just how much you care for, and know, the intended recipient. A gift should not only be beautiful, but thoughtful, taking into consideration the lucky guy or gal’s interests and passions – that way it will be treasured forever. It’s well worth the effort when you see just how much the perfect gift can brighten that special someone’s day!

You no longer need to spend countless hours looking for the ideal gift. We’ve put together a comprehensive gift guide to help you through the process, reduce your stress and give your nearest-and-dearest a gift that they’ll really appreciate. Our gift ideas are guaranteed to make you a legend amongst friends and family. We have so many options, whether your gift is for a pop-culture fan, motoring enthusiast, sport fanatic, nature lover, coin collector, history buff and everything in between, you’ve come to the right place to find something for everyone. Browse and be inspired…

Sleigh-it with these unique Christmas gifts
Get into the festive spirit with awe-inspiring gifts that will have everyone on your list jingling with joy! What’s more, it’s so easy – with great ideas for him, her and the kids all in one place. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a bomb to put the perfect pressie under the tree, with awesome finds for under $50! We even have a Christmas card boasting genuine legal tender festive coins from around the world. So don’t wait another minute! We’ve done all the hard work for you - browse games, coins, commemoratives, figurines, books and more now!

Thrilling gifts for the motoring enthusiast
Get ready to rev your engine and race into the most exciting selection of auto-themed coins and supercar memorabilia in Australia! These eye-catching collectables are MUST-HAVE gifts for racing fans. You’ll find model cars, replicas, super car-themed coin collections, books and games celebrating Holden, Ford and more…

Best gifts for pop-culture fans
Give the pop-culture fans what they really want! We have ‘super’ Marvel-themed coins, out-of-this-world Star Wars gifts, magical Harry Potter pressies and even band-themed coins that will rock your bestie’s world. Let Downies Collectables be your gifting superhero…

Awesome gifts for kids, according to kids!
Welcome to a world of fun gifts that will excite and amaze every child and get them learning and exploring before they even realise it! Coin collections are a great gift for kids – exciting, novel and a way for them to learn about geography, numismatics, history and so much more! We also have a range of pop culture-themed collectables and commemoratives, games and books that will get them exploring different themes, off their devises, and engaging with the whole family! From Australiana and animals to Disney and Star Wars, explore the possibilities today!

Precious pressies for coin collectors
A gift from Downies Collectables is what every coin collector desires! We have the latest legal tender coins from the world’s leading mints in a range of precious metals to feed their passion and fascinating books on numismatics to keep them entertained for hours. Who says money isn’t a great gift? For the coin collector, there’s nothing more exciting than Australian decimal and pre-decimal coins, gold sovereigns, penny sets, rare coins, ancient coinage and so much more. Browse now and make sure your loved one keeps ‘coining it’ with a very special gift.

Gorgeous and thoughtful gifts for her
We have a gift for the special woman in your life - mother, wife, best friend, daughter and everything in between! Guaranteed to put a smile on her face, our collectables, coins, figurines and jewelry gift ideas will impress her with their special meaning and eye-catching beauty. From Royal Selangor collectables she can display with pride, timeless gold-tipped roses, and a few Disney princesses, what more could a girl ask for?

Great gifts for guys
Men don’t need to be tough to shop for, whether you’re shopping for a mate’s birthday, the hubby’s anniversary gift, a beloved granddad, or dad’s big day, we have everything he needs to fill his man-cave! Discover themed collectables, models, books and games for the motor-enthusiast and sports fan, coins for the numismatic expert and rarities for the historian. Impress him with the gift that keeps on giving – exciting monthly subscriptions on every passion imaginable, from James Bond to Star Wars. Whether you’re in the mood to spoil, or spend under $50, we have a gift to please.

Gifts that won’t break the bank – under $50!
Just because they’re not pricy, doesn’t mean they’re not seriously impressive! Heavy on thoughtfulness and fun, but light on the wallet, these brilliant gifts under $50 cover a wide range of interests. From collectable coins, coin and stamp sets, games and commemoratives - you will find a unique gift sure to excite.

Wowza! Impressive gifts for life’s important occasions
Want to make an impression and mark an important event in style? We have the special gift you need for all those important occasions – the lunar New Year celebration, weddings, Christenings, and milestone birthdays. Mark a birth or engagement with a meaningful gold coin, give the history buff an ancient Greek of Roman coin for their big birthday, or gift your 007-obsessed husband the full James Bond coin collection that will make his year! The options for remarkable gifts are endless…

Gifts from ‘Down Under’
Downies have a wide range of Australiana-themed gifts, coins and commemoratives for those enamored with everything ‘down under’! Limited edition coins celebrating Australia’s unique wildlife in a range of precious metals make spectacular gifts, and if you’re shopping for someone who is an Aussie sport, or motorsport fan – we have the perfect gift for them too! Plus, we offer the widest range of Australian decimal coins that will make any collector’s day.

Fun and games!
All the classics with a twist! Looking for a gift idea for that special person that combines their passions and interests with all the fun of ‘game night’? Look no further, we offer puzzles and legendary board games like monopoly, top trumps, cluedo and more in a variety of exciting themes – from James Bond, to Marvel, to Harry Potter and even Holden!

Our top gift picks for the experts
Know a history buff, or coin collector, that you would love to spoil (and impress) with the perfect gift? Shopping for the serious collector no longer needs to be an educated guess on your part, because we have curated a fantastic collection of books, rare coins, banknotes, stamps and historically-themed commemoratives that will leave any expert weak at the knees. Whether their interest lies in war memorabilia, or they have a passion for rare Australian coins, gold sovereigns, royal history or ancient coins, we have some fascinating treasures just waiting to be discovered, and gifted… 

A grand event for Australian numismatics, Downies Australian Coin Auctions Sale 320 was an outstanding success!

Comprising more than 3,500 lots, our last auction for 2015 was highlighted by a number of exquisite English Hammered pieces, which as expected sold well above estimate. We saw nearly a million dollars’ worth of material go under the hammer with 87% of lots sold – once again emphasising our industry leading clearance rates. Prices realised are now available online.

Highlights included:

Lot 2666 - Charles I Oxford Pound Est. $7,500 - Sold $16,000

Lot 2669 - Newark Besieged Shilling Est. $1,500 - Sold $2,600

Lot 2670 - Newark Besieged Ninepence Est. $2,000 - Sold $3,200

Lot 2672 - Pontefract Besieged Round Shilling Est. $5,000 - Sold $8,000

Lot 2673 -Pontefract Besieged Octagonal Shilling Est. $5,000 - Sold $8,500

Preparations for our next auction are already well underway. To be held at Box Hill Town Hall in Melbourne on the 3rd and 4th of May 2016, consignments for Sale 321 are now being accepted. Please contact us today to arrange an appointment at our Melbourne head office, at either of our retail stores, or in your home or office. Consignments close early March.

Mennica Polska (The Mint of Poland) has, in the past, presented the world with an array of innovative numismatic products - from the Amber Road series to the Fortuna Redux. They once again raise the bar on just what is possible in numismatics when they unveiled the world's first globe coin at the recent World Money Fair in Berlin.

The silver globe, known as the "Seven Wonders of the New World" coin, has been struck from 217.7 grams (7 ounces) of 99.9% fine silver to a diameter of 34mm. It has a total worldwide mintage of just 1,007. Struck using minting technology specifically developed by the Mint of Poland, the design of the coin is taken from the world map "Nova totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula" - hand drawn by Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu in 1638. At seven points on the globe are embedded Swarovski crystals to signify the location of the Seven New Wonders. The New Wonders of the World are: Chichen Itza (Mexico), Christ the Redeemer statue (Brazil), the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu (Peru), the ancient city of Petra (Jordan), the Taj Mahal (India), and the Roman Colosseum (Italy).

The coin is presented in a themed case, designed to look like a suitcase. More information about the unique minting technology can be found at Coin World's website.

Exactly 30 years ago today, the Reserve Bank of Australia introduced the $1 coin into circulation, on May 14^th, 1984. It replaced the $1 banknote that had circulated since the inception of Decimal Currency in 1966. Stuart Devlin’s now famous Mob of Roos featured on that initial circulating $1 coin and has been a favourite amongst collector and non-collector alike ever since.

According to the Royal Australian Mint, plans to replace the $1 note had been contemplated since the 1970s, due to the need for higher face value coins that could be used in coin operated machines, and to replace the short service life of the $1 note.

During its life there have been around 100 commemoratives issued by the Royal Australian Mint using the $1 denomination and its standard circulating specification - understandably making it one of the most popular coins amongst collectors today.

Some of the highlights of the series are:

Also worth mentioning, aside from the official commemorative releases, is the unofficial 2000 Mule Error - an error which was created when incorrect obverse and reverse dies were mistakenly matched. For those interested in reading more about this fascinating error, we featured it in a previous article here.

The introduction of the new $1 coin wasn’t the only interesting or important thing to happen in 1984. Some other events of note that occurred that year:

• 1 February – Medicare comes into effect in Australia.
• 2 February – Melbourne newspaper The Age publishes phone taps incriminating an unknown judge.
• 6 February – A bomb blast wrecks the home of Judge Richard Gee in the Sydney suburb of Belrose
• 30 March – Tennis player and 2011 US Open Grand Slam winner, Samantha Stosur is born
• April - A 115g jar of Vegemite is the first product in Australia to be electronically scanned at a checkout
• 19 April – Advance Australia Fair is proclaimed as Australia's national anthem, and green and gold as the national colours.
• 14 May, Gary Abblet Jr, a modern day AFL football marvel, is born
• 21 August – The Federal budget is televised for the first time.
• 25 November – Ashes Winning Cricketer Peter Siddle is born
• July 28–August 12 - Los Angeles hosts the Games of the XXIII Olympiad.
• The $100 Paper Banknote is issued, becoming Australia’s highest Decimal circulating denomination.

But for many, it’s the introduction of the Mob of Roos $1 coin that marked the commencement of a new era in numismatics. To celebrate, the Royal Australian Mint released a spectacular 30^th anniversary high relief silver proof coin, which has delighted thousands of collectors in Australia, and around the world!

Downies is fortunate enough to have a number of this spectacular coin in stock, so if you are interested in marking this special anniversary.

Modern collecting is often marked by a fervent desire for collectors to acquire the new and innovative. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but these unique modern issues are highly sought after - as long as they are also high quality. For many years now, Downies has partnered with, and been sole official Australian distributor for, one of the most innovative coin producers in the world - Coin Invest Trust (CIT).

2013 500 Togrog Mongolian Nature – Crying Wolf 1/2oz Silver BU - Click image for more information

Established in 1970, CIT is a European firm that has been producing coins since 1982. Over the years CIT have won a number of high-profile awards for their ground-breaking releases, including the Coin Of The Year award for their 'Gulo Gulo' Wolverine coin, part of the Wildlife Protection Silver Series. They are known for a range of ground-breaking numismatic issues, including the Pearl Silver Proof Series, the Tiffany Glass $10 Series, and the Meteorite Silver Proof series, to name just a few.

The original Tiffany Glass offer made way back in 2004!

As an indication of the popularity of some of their coins, the first of CITs Tiffany Glass $10 Series was sold by Downies for $139.95 in May, 2004. It is now selling at up to $4,000 on the open market! It's no mere fluke, either, as each of the coins in that series (and many others) have sold out almost instantly each year since!

Andorra 2013 5 Diners Swallowtail Butterfly 3D Colour Silver Proof - click image for more information

A big part of what makes releases by CIT so globally popular is that not only are they extremely innovative (3D coins with Butterfly wings, anybody?), but they are also crafted to the highest standards. CIT don't just create new coins - they craft innovative, high-quality collector pieces that push the boundaries of modern numismatics. Downies is happy to partner with them and share their story with our collectors.

Footy Season has started!

An irresistible opportunity for fanatical football followers and passionate collectors alike, we are celebrating the start of the 2013 AFL season this weekend with some absolutely devastating discounts! Extremely exclusive, and officially licensed AFL products, the 2012 AFL Premiership Collection and the 2012 $1 AFL Premiership 1oz Silver Proof can now be yours at below the Official Issue Price! But only while stocks last!

2012 AFL Premiership Collection – SAVE A$50!

An officially licensed AFL product, the 2012 AFL Premiership Collection forms a prestigious keepsake of Sydney's memorable triumph. Headlined by the Royal Australian Mint's superbly struck .999 fine 2012 $1 AFL Premiers 1oz Silver Proof, this outstanding work of Australian sporting memorabilia also comprises a miniature replica of the 2012 AFL Premiership Cup, plus a replica of the 2012 AFL Premiers Medallion presented to the players of the winning side.

Strictly limited to an edition of 5,000 sets – each presented in a lavish timber case with a Certificate of Authenticity – this official AFL collection is normally A$295. A sensational celebratory saving, we will knock off a massive A$50 from the regular retail! Act now – only while stocks last!

2012 $1 AFL Premiership 1oz Silver Proof – SAVE A$15!

A must-have for footy fans and Silver Proof collectors alike, we also have the 2012 $1 AFL Premiership 1oz Silver Proof available individually – at under the Official Issue Price!

Struck to the apex of Proof quality from a troy ounce of .999 fine silver, the limited edition of this official Australian legal tender issue has been restricted to a mere 1,500 coins – each beautifully presented within an official RAM case. Normally A$115, this officially licensed AFL product can now be yours for less than A$100!

Happy New Year! Yesterday was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and everyone here at Downies hopes you have a prosperous and happy Year of the Snake!

The Snake is the 6th animal in the Lunar Zodiac, exemplified by traits such as awareness, cunning, pride and decisiveness. People born in the Year of the Snake (especially with this year’s element, Water), are said to be insightful and influential, and can make great financial decisions. This affinity with money makes this Lunar Zodiac sign a particularly fitting and popular theme to feature on numismatic releases around the world.

There are some truly spectacular tributes to the Year of the Snake that have either just been released or are being awaited with great excitement. One innovative release is the Laos 2013 2,000 Kip Lunar Snake Jade 2oz Silver Proof, which contains a ring of real Jade and a gilded snake to commemorate this special year.

The Perth Mint has released some special editions that not only focus on the Zodiac theme, but emphasise its importance to the numismatic community of which we are all a part. One such release is the 2013 $1 Berlin World Money Fair Edition Year Of The Snake 1oz Coloured Silver BU – a limited edition of just 5,000, specially prepared for the Berlin World Money Fair which was held last week.

The Lunar Zodiac theme is often used by mints around the world to showcase the very best in the art and science of numismatics. It is well worth studying these new coins to see what has been achieved and what the future holds for modern coin collecting, but there are so many exciting new releases coming out to celebrate and commemorate the Year of the Snake, it can be hard to keep up.

For a handy list of this year’s Lunar Zodiac issues from around the globe, click here to visit Downies.com’s special Year of the Snake page.

Have a great Lunar New Year!

With a whiff of sulphur hanging in the air, mingling with the tortured screams of non-believers, the lines have been drawn on the final battlefield for the fight between good and evil – Armageddon!

The end of the world is currently firmly in the public consciousness, thanks to the link between the date December 21^st, 2012 and the end of the Mesoamerican/Mayan long count calendar. A somewhat recent concern, many believe the ending of this calendar marks some sort of apocalyptic event. This view is not shared by scholars studying Mesoamerican culture, who argue that the Mayans expected the cycle to start again, much like the ending of a year in our standard calendar just means we need to buy a replacement for the fridge.

The end of the world has long been a subject of fascination throughout human history, with some going so far as to ascribe a location to the event. A place that has been the particular focus of much Western prophesying and speculation about the end of the world – dating back to the Book of Revelation – is over 10,000km away on the other side of the earth from Central America. Tel Meggido – the Hebrew name for the place commonly referred to as Armageddon and the location of the final battle according to the Bible – is of great cultural and archaeological significance.

Dating back to 7000 BCE, Tel Meggido has been the site of thirty different cities! A “tel” (or “tell” in English) is a settlement mound – a site where multiple settlements have built upon those existing previously through history; they are often places of great archaeological importance.  Occupying a position of strategic importance for numerous kingdoms, especially Assyria and Egypt, during the Canaanite and Israelite periods, Tel Meggido has already been pivotal in a number of great conflicts and trade routes through the ages.

In approximately the 15^th Century BCE, the “Battle of Meggido” took place between Egyptian forces, led by Pharoah Thutmose III, and Canaanite states. This battle was important for a number of reasons; victory at this battle marked the start of the Egyptian Empires’ largest period of expansion, for example, and it was arguably the first reliably recorded battle in history. More recently, in 1918 during the First World War, Tel Meggido was the site of a battle between the Allied Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the Ottoman Yildirim Army Group, with the Allies gaining significant ground. Tel Meggido has also been the site of great cities at various times through the ages; for more information, see the Wikipedia entry on Tel Meggido.

Due to this fascinating and significant history, UNESCO decreed Tel Meggido a World Heritage Site in 2005. The Bank of Israel has chosen Tel Meggido as the subject of its fourth coin in the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Sites’ series and it has been struck by The Holy Land Mint.

The legal tender coin is issued in both silver and gold, with the silver available in 1 and 2 New Shekel denominations, and the gold available in a 10 New Shekel variety. Extraordinarily exclusive given the global significance of the theme, only 1,800 of the silver 1 New Shekel have been made, with mintages for the silver 2 New Shekel and the gold 10 New Shekel a mere 2,800 and a miniscule 555 respectively. The obverse of the coin features an 8^th century BCE seal found during an archaeological dig. The reverse features a jug, and the surprisingly advanced aqueduct system discovered at this most remarkable location.

Whether or not you believe the world will end in a month’s time or not, Tel Meggido remains a site of immense archaeological and cultural significance. It is a fitting world heritage location and subject for tribute in coin form. If you are interested in acquiring these special coins commemorating such a remarkable location, visit Downies.com. You might want to get your orders in by December 21^st, just in case…

Israel 2012 10NIS Armageddon 1/2oz Gold Proof

Israel 2012 2NIS Armageddon 28.8g Silver Proof

Donning cloaks and drawing daggers, the Royal Canadian Mint issued the first colour coin for circulation, the Canadian 2004 Coloured Poppy 25c. Given that Australia has just had its first circulating colour coin issue the 2012 $2 Remembrance Day commemorative – which also features a poppy and has been garnering a lot of attention – what better time to explore the inadvertently clandestine past of Canada’s infamous ‘Spy Coin’?

Issued in 2004, the Canadian quarter featured a brand new technology for circulating coins; colour! This unique concept so startled some travelling American army intelligence contractors that in 2007 they not-so-intelligently feared the coins were some sort of advanced espionage tool powered by nanotechnology. For those of us not embroiled in the world of tiny gadgets and secret agents, nanotechnology is any technology that manipulates matter on an atomic or molecular scale, usually meaning the manufacture of very tiny devices or structures. The contractors feared that the coins had some kind of tracking or listening device embedded in them, with some going so far as to claim that some of the dastardly coins had been planted on them! The confusion caused somewhat of an international incident and a flurry of concerned emails on both sides.

Eventually the mess was sorted out and American spies accepted that the coins were nothing more than an innovative tribute for Remembrance Day, honouring fallen soldiers, much like Australia’s recent $2 featuring a colour poppy. What may startle some spies today is the existence of a coin that really does feature nanotechnology! The 2012 $10 Nano Earth Silver Proof has a tiny yet extremely detailed map of the world embedded in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlmfxWelbIk

It’s so tiny, in fact, that you need a microscope to fully appreciate it in all its detail! The legal tender coin also features a full colour picture of the earth and is struck from 50g of sterling silver. Given the remarkable nature of the coin and a mintage almost smaller than the map itself – at only 1000 struck worldwide – this coin is sure to make a perfect conversation piece over a martini (shaken, not stirred, of course)! If you are interested in securing your own cutting-edge ‘spy’ coin, there are a limited supply at Downies.com – and don’t forget to pick up a microscope while you’re at it!

With time running out to get the perfect gifts for your loved ones – and shops only getting more hectic as the season enters fever pitch – Downies has you covered. You can shop for the perfect gift for collectors young and old, easily and securely from the comfort of your own home.

If you are stuck for an idea, why not consider something special, like the Royal Australian Mint’s 2013 Mint Set, featuring Australia’s very first full-colour 20c coin! Along with this super set, Downies is currently including a booklet comprising reprints of six classic illustrations of the humble platypus. With a retail price of A$14.95, the booklet is yours FREE with your order of the 2013 Mint Set.

If you are looking for something extra special, consider the Royal Australian Mint’s 2013 Proof Set, featuring Australia’s very first selectively gold-plated 20c coin! Sure to make an extremely well-received gift, if you order the 2013 Proof set today, you will also receive a copy of Platypus booklet FREE.

Double Downies deal – get even more if you order both sets today!

Downies is offering EVEN MORE if you take action now and purchase both sets together; not only will you get TWO copies of the Platypus artwork booklet (worth $29.90 combined), you will also receive a FREE 1937-56 Zoological 6-stamp Set (value $5.95). That’s a total bonus value greater than the cost of the Mint set by itself, yours free! Supplies are extremely limited, so click here to secure the deal before we run out!

Downies delivers again!

I know that’s a lot to take in, but wait – it gets even better!

To make shopping for presents even easier this year, Downies is offering half-price shipping throughout Australia on ALL ORDERS placed from now until the 31^st of December! With shipping just $4.00 for orders under $100 and $6 for orders over $100 – and FREE for orders over $500 – you now have every reason to avoid the queues and visit downies.com!