IACA Coin Awards Celebrate Innovation and Initiative

The winners of the 2024 IACA Excellence in Currency Awards for Coins were announced by IACA Executive Director Marci Chavez at a special presentation ceremony during the Coin Conference in Lisbon on 29 November.

They are as follows.

Best New Commemorative/ Limited Circulation Coin

The winner was the Central Bank of The Bahamas for its 25 cent coin coloured on both sides, produced by the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The coin maintains the same specifications as the existing circulating version but is the first painted circulation coin issued by the central bank and, in a world first for a circulating coin, features selectively coloured designs on both sides.

On the obverse, coloured elements include the blue marlin, pink flamingo and conch shell, and green palm fronds. The year of issue has also been updated below the central coat of arms. Painting on the reverse includes the artist’s rendering of a native sloop, in red, white, and brown, in addition to a blue sea. Wording on the reverse has been updated to include ‘The Central Bank of The Bahamas, and ‘50th anniversary 1974-2024’ alongside the standard denomination inscription.