2013 Maple Leaf Impression Coin
A World Mint News blog article by Michael Zielinski covered several new issues from the Royal Canadian Mint, including a couple new ones with ships. I have a love/hate relationship with this one, but do think it's a clever concept.

To read the complete article, see:Royal Canadian Mint New Product Releases June 2013(world.mintnewsblog.com/2013/05/royal-canadian-mint-new-product-releases-june-2013/)

Mother Ice Fishing
Dick Hanscom forwarded an article about another Canadian coin called "Mother Ice Fishing". It looks like an amoeba to me...

To read the complete article, see:Nunavik art appears on $5 coin(www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2013/05/30/north-nunavik-art-coin.html)

Italy's Luigi Pirandello Coin
Pabitra Saha forwarded these images of a new Italian coin "Europa Star Programme 2013 - Luigi Pirandello". Pirandello was a writer and playwright. I'm not sure what to make of the obverse. Is that the Michelin Tire man? But I like the reverse - that's an unusual pose for a coin portrait, and I think it works well.

Italy's Flora and Fauna Coins
Pabitra Saha also forwarded images of Italy's new 20 and 50 Euro flora and fauna coins.These are more traditional designs. I like them.

Russia's Chernomyrdin Coin
And here's another one courtesy of Pabitra Saha. It's a Russian coin marking the 75th birthday anniversary of the late Viktor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin (1938 - 2010) who was the founder and the first chairman of the Gazprom energy company (and Prime Minister of Russia after the dissolution of the USSR. This one is another novel pose; Chernomyrdin faces left with his hands clasped just under his chin. The coin includes a facsimile of his signature, which has been a popular feature in coinage recently.