40th Coin of the Year Kicks off with the COTY 100

Welcome to the 40th Coin of the Year competition. The COTY 100 features 10 outstanding coins in each of ten specific categories. Voting has already commenced and our panel of over 100 Judges are casting ballots designed to select one coin in each category as a winner. A second round of voting by that same expert panel will then choose one of those ten category winners as the overall Coin of the Year, the best of the best for 2022 dated issues. This stellar coin, a COTY “Champion” will be honored beside the rest at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money on August 9 in Pittsburgh. We welcome you to attend that ceremony and hope you enjoy the 40th COTY awards.

Tom Michael, COTY co-coordinater and Senior Analyst for NumisMaster, shares his thoughts on coins nominated in each of the 10 COTY categories:

Most Historically Significant

So much could be said about each of these coins that I find myself completely at a loss to venture a guess as to which one will emerge victorious. The Royal Canadian Mint’s 2022 20 Dollar silver coin struck for The Underground Railroad is a strong contender. As a gauge of struggle, time, distance and courage this coins design guides us through an era of Black History as brightly as the big dipper shines for the souls represented in this harrowing journey to freedom.

Best Contemporary Event

The Successful Launch of the Nuri Space Rocket by the Republic of Korea had two coins issued and it is the second coin, featuring the third-stage engine entering orbit in the deep dark blue of space, which made it to nomination.

Best Bi-Metallic Coin

The world-wide popularity of the late Queen Elizabeth II is mirrored by Canada’s love of their cherished Polar Bear 2 Dollar coin series. The Royal Canadian Mint has devised a black nickel plated steel outer ring similar to the traditional mourning armband so that all Canadians and collectors around the world can express the loss of their past Queen in a cherished numismatic possession.

Best Gold Coin

There are some wonderful designs among the Best Gold Coin competitors. Interestingly enough among the many fine coins selected in this category, the Nominating Committee spent a fair amount of time talking about The Twenty-Four Solar Terms – Stories of Time gold commemorative 50 Yuan’s of China Gold Coin. Though the coins were issued in a set of four, only two of the coins were in contention for nomination. Both feature a special iridescent coloring which really brings the coins to life and the adorable Frog ended up hopping into this very competitive category.

Best Silver Coin

Another tough category to decide, Palau’s 20 Dollar silver coin dpeicting H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu is eye-catching with its impressive detailing on both the obverse and reverse.

Best Crown

Ukraine’s “Oh, the Guelder-Rose in the Meadow” silver 10 Hryvnias, opinions were split between the Inspirational and Crown categories, due to the design's traditional features and its emotional representation of the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Best Circulating Coin

The Angola 200 Kwanzas struck for the 20th Anniversary of Peace and Reconciliation in that troubled nation was brought to nomination by an individual, not an institution. I believe it is the first time any coin of Angola has made it to COTY competition.

Most Artistic Coin

My belief is that this category should present original works of coin art. In the case of the Beauty, Rich and Rare series from the Royal Australian Mint, the Great Barrier Reef 5 Dollar silver coin combines bold elements of the Reef melded together to form a beautifully orchestrated representation of this natural wonder in something as close to its entirety as a coin can present. A work of art on a coin? Yes, indeed.

Most Innovative Coin

For me, the coins of environmental concerns are highlights of the group. One of the most unusual, yet extremely heartfelt coins in this category, is the Lithuanian Mint “There is no Planet B” silver 10 Euros. The coin is struck uncollared and offers an extra high relief view of our planet in its dramatic time of need for immediate changes to ensure long term survival.

Most Inspirational Coin

The cost of defending one's country as represented in the United States Mint design for their copper-nickel Purple Heart Commemorative Half Dollar is perhaps the most inspiring of all. The negative blank shapes of the coin design speak volumes and leave the viewer truly aware of the losses felt by those remaining in the aftermath of such sacrifice.

Following is a complete list of the nominees in each award category.