World's First Quad Metal Coin

Do you know who produced World's First Quad Metal Coin? Pobjoy Mint in 2007 make a minting history with this stunning quad metal coin from British Virgin Islands. This quad metal coin are using four precious metals Proof Fine Silver, Palladium, Fine Gold and Platinum. This coin is still the only Quad metal coin with Palladium. Palladium is a rare and lustrous silvery-white metal that was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, who named it after the asteroid Pallas, which in turn, was named after the epithet of the Greek goddess Athena, acquired by her when she slew Pallas.

Palladium itself has been used as a precious metal in jewelry since 1939, as an alternative to platinum or white gold. This is due to its naturally white properties, giving it no need for rhodium plating. It is slightly whiter, much lighter and about 12% harder than platinum. Similar to gold, palladium can be beaten into a thin leaf form as thin as 100 nm (1/250,000 in). Like platinum, it will develop a hazy patina over time. Unlike platinum, however, palladium may discolor at high soldering temperatures, become brittle with repeated heating and cooling, and react with strong acids. Palladium is one of the three most popular metals used to make white gold alloys. (Nickel and silver can also be used.) Palladium-gold is a more expensive alloy than nickel-gold, but seldom causes allergic reactions (though certain cross-allergies with nickel may occur).

A must, not only for those collectors who are fans of groundbreaking and innovative minting, but also for those who love coins with an intriguing story. The value of the coin is a Royal, which is the English spelling of the Spanish Ryal. This historic Spanish coin used to be cut into four to break it down into smaller change. It’s from these Ryal quarters that the famous US Quarter got its name. It’s in honour of the Ryal and the Quarter that Pobjoy Mint has chosen to ‘quarter’ this new coin using four precious metals Proof Fine Silver, Palladium, Fine Gold and Platinum. This is not all though, the maritime theme is a tribute to sailors of days gone by who used to believe the earth was made up of four elements: fire, earth, water and air. This World's First Quad Metal Coin by Pobjoy mint also an expensive coin sold at £591.49 in their website.

The Spanish Empire claimed the islands by discovery in the early sixteenth century, but never settled them, and subsequent years saw the English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Danish all jostling for control of the region, which became a notorious haunt for pirates. There is no record of any native Amerindian population in the British Virgin Islands during this period, although the native population on nearby St. Croix was decimated. The Dutch established a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola by 1648. In 1672, the English captured Tortola from the Dutch, and the British annexation of Anegada and Virgin Gorda followed in 1680. Meanwhile, over the period 1672–1733, the Danish gained control of the nearby islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.


In 1917, the United States purchased St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix from Denmark for US$25 million, renaming them the United States Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands were administered variously as part of the British Leeward Islands or with St. Kitts and Nevis, with an Administrator representing the British Government on the Islands. Separate colony status was gained for the Islands in 1960 and the Islands became autonomous in 1967. Since the 1960s, the islands have diversified away from their traditionally agriculture-based economy towards tourism and financial services, becoming one of the wealthiest areas in the Caribbean.

World's First Antarctic Coin

Do you know what is the World's First Antarctic Coin? The British Antarctic Territory made history in 2008 when it became the first territory in the Antarctic to issue a coin under its own authority. Appropriately, the world’s first Antarctic coin celebrates the Centenary of Britain registering its first claim to the Antarctic by declaring sovereignty over what is now the British Antarctic Territory. This coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, Struck in Uncirculated Cupro Nickel, Proof Sterling Silver and Proof Fine 999.9 Gold. This is a legal tender coin of the British Antarctic Territory.

The coin depicts the official Coat of Arms of the Territory which includes a Lion representing the United Kingdom, an Emperor Penguin representing the Antarctic, and the RRS Discovery Ship used by Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. Interestingly the Lion stands on the grass whilst the Penguin stands on ice.

The British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom. It is situated in Antarctica from the South Pole to 60°S latitude between longitudes 20°W and 80°W. The Territory was formed on 3rd March 1962, although the UK first claimed this portion of the Antarctic in 1908. The area now covered by the Territory includes three regions which, before 1962, were separate dependencies of the Falkland Islands: Graham Land, the South Orkney Islands, and the South Shetland Islands. The Territory overlaps with Antarctic claims by Argentina (Argentine Antarctica) and Chile (Antártica Chilena Province). The Territory is inhabited by the staff of research and support stations operated and maintained by the British Antarctic Survey and other organisations and stations of Argentina, Chile and other countries.

Several other nations began to stake claims to Antarctica, and in the 1950s, a treaty was negotiated to demilitarise the region, and retain Antarctica for peaceful research purposes. The treaty was passed in 1961. In response the UK hived off all its territory below the 60°S latitude into the British Antarctic Territory, established by Order-in-Council. France, Norway, New Zealand and Australia, who themselves have territorial claims on the continent, recognise the British Antarctic Territory, and vice versa. But neither Argentina nor Chile recognise British claims based on previous settlements in the area such as the Argentine Orcadas Base, founded in 1903.

World's first $150 paper money- Hong Kong new banknotes

Standard Chartered yesterday announce worlds first ever HK$150 banknotes, printed by Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) to celebrate its 150-year presence in the city, are likely to spark a frenzy from collectors and speculators. The commemorative banknotes will be legal tender in Hong Kong but no one in his right mind would try to buy anything with them. One coin dealer predicts that anyone who gets his hands on a set of 35 uncut Hong Kong $150 dollar notes will be able to rake in HK$100,000 for them - and their value will continue to soar. Standard Chartered began operations in Hong Kong in 1859, six years after it was founded, and is the oldest of the three note-issuing banks in the city. The other two are HSBC Holdings Plc and the Bank of China Ltd.

The front of the banknote, designed by Austrian graphic designer Henry Steiner, who has designed banknotes for Standard Chartered since 1975, features a satellite image of Victoria Harbour with the lender's corporate blue and green as the main color tones. The back features eight Hong Kong people from different generations looking at the city's evolution. The banknotes will be offered in three different packages. These are single HK$150 notes at HK$280, "four- in-one uncut" notes at HK$1,888 per set, and "35-in-one uncut" notes at HK$18,888 per set.

"By design, we want the banknote to be unique and the only one of its kind. We want it to represent the spirit of the city," the bank's Hong Kong chief executive Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng said yesterday."By design, we want the banknote to be unique and the only one of its kind. We want it to represent the spirit of the city," the bank's Hong Kong chief executive Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng said yesterday.

Coin expert Chan Wing-fai, from Gold Field Coins and Stamps Company in Lam Tin, believes the uncut notes will be sold out at lightning pace. He predicts the four-in-ones may end up selling for up to HK$10,000 and the 35-in-ones at up to HK$100,000. His company has already received orders for the notes, and 90 percent of clients so far are from the mainland, with some from Canada and the United States. He has been able to sell the four-in- ones at around HK$4,000 and the 35-in- ones at HK$40,000. Chan believes the singles can sell for up to HK$350.

Standard Chartered has also selected 100 notes with special lucky serial numbers for public bidding and another 10,000 pieces for which the public can pick a serial number of their choice. Some notes bearing what are considered lucky serial numbers, such as 888888, are to be auctioned in October with a minimum bid of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars per note. Money from the sale of the notes is to go to local charities in what Standard Chartered has described as a "creative tribute" to the people of Hong Kong.

Worlds first pyramid shape coin-Isle of Man 2009

Do you know which coin is the Worlds first pyramid shape coin? Mosts of us have seen a round coin. The Australian 50 cent coin, for example, has twelve flat sides. A twist on it is wavy edges, found in the two dollar and the twenty cent coins of Hong Kong and the 10 cent coins of Bahamas. Some other coins, like the British Fifty pence coin, have an odd number of sides, with the edges rounded off. This way the coin has a constant diameter, recognisable by vending machines whichever direction it is inserted. What about a triangle shape coin, complete with a sand from the famous Tutankhamun Tomb?

This worlds first pyramid shape coin containing sand mintage by Pobjoy Mint Ltd. A minting company based in Kingswood park, Southern England. The Company has been deeply involved in the development and manufacture of coins, medals and tokens for the past 100 years. The Pobjoy family have been associated with fine metalwork since the Middle Ages. The Company was recently granted permission to use the family Coat of Arms in which the Medieval Popinjay is the central motif. The Popinjay was a painted wooden parrot used in archery contests in the 14th century and the name Pobjoy is derived from this. The Latin motto 'OCULO CERTO' means 'with an unerring eye' and applies equally to the ancestor's prowess as a marksman, as to the Company's reputation for the high quality and precision of its products.

In 2008, to commemorate the the return of Tutankhamun exhibition in London, for the first time since 1972, the Isle of Man issued a stunning series of new commemorative coins – including the world’s first Pyramid coins that are triangular in imitation of the ancient pyramids. Each coin depicts a priceless artifact from the tomb, including Tutankhamun’s legendary Death Mask and Throne. Due to the difficulty of striking coins in such unusual shapes, they are being issued in strictly limited numbers.

This year in 2nd march 2009, Pobjoy mint once again release another triangle shape coin. Isle of Man 2009 Tutankhamun Sand Triangle Coin released at this date to commemorate 70th Anniversary of the Death of Howard Carter. Howard Carter is the man who discovered the Tutankhamun's intact tomb in 1922, for which Tutankhamun's burial mask remains the popular face. The coin is in a stunning pyramid shape. It shows a design from the wall of Tutankhamun’s tomb, with Tutankhamun himself in the centre. The sun disc at the top contains ancient sand that was collected from the entrance of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Due to the coin’s unusual shape and the small amount of sand that was collected, the edition limits are exceptionally small. Each coin is presented in a specially commissioned, beautifully crafted Pyramid presentation case.

Tutankhamun (alternately spelled with Tutenkh-, -amen, -amon), was an Egyptian Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty (ruled 1333 BC – 1324 BC in the conventional chronology), during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. His original name, Tutankhaten, means "Living Image of Aten", while Tutankhamun means "Living Image of Amun". Often the name Tutankhamun was written Amen-tut-ankh, meaning "living image of Amun", due to scribal custom which most often placed the divine name at the beginning of the phrase in order to honor the divine being. He is possibly also the Nibhurrereya of the Amarna letters. He was likely the eighteenth dynasty king 'Rathotis', who according to Manetho, an ancient historian, had reigned for nine years — a figure which conforms with Flavius Josephus' version of Manetho's Epitome.

Russian Crowd Action - Say Thankyou in Different Way

World's largest Sand Carpet

Iran creates world's largest sand carpet on the shores of Persian Gulf

Naaman Amer – World’s Youngest Pepper Eater

20-month-old Naaman Amer, from the city of Nablus, West Bank enjoys eating hot peppers and is considered the world’s youngest pepper eater. The young Palestinian boy has been gobbling down green peppers since he was just 14 months old, and his parents are quite proud of his appetite for the throat-burning veggies. Naaman eats them at every meal, and so far he hasn’t had any health issues, but I still think it’s pretty weird for a boy this young to eat so many hot peppers.

Guinness Rishi - The Human Flag Pole

Har Parkash changed his name to Guinness Rishi, demonstrating that his goal is setting new Guiness records. This 67-year-old man already became father of the world’s oldest adoptee, after taking custody of his 61-year-old brother-in-law, and built the tallest sugar-cube tower in the world. Now he wants to become a human flag pole by tattooing 220 national flags on his body.

He has started his effort at the top of his head, continued with his face, got a map of the world on his stomach, and plans to get his privates tattooed as well. He just hasn’t decided what he’s going to put down there. Rishi’s efforts began in 2009 and he plans to fulfill his dream in three years time, but by the looks of things, he just might finish ahead of schedule.

Dad In Just 13?

Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 but looks more like eight, became a father four days ago when his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne.

He told how he and Chantelle, 15, decided against an abortion after discovering she was pregnant.

The shy lad, whose voice has not yet broken, said: “I thought it would be good to have a baby.

“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”

Alfie, who is just 4ft tall, added: “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react.

“I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it.”

Alfie's story, broken exclusively by The Sun today has sparked a huge political storm with Tory leader David Cameron saying: "When I saw these pictures this morning, I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.

"I hope that somehow these children grow up into responsible parents but the truth is parenthood is just not something they should be thinking about right now."

Secret :

PM Gordon Brown refused to comment directly on the story but said it was important that the Government did all it could to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Alfie’s dad Dennis yesterday told how the lad does not really understand the enormity of his situation — but seemed desperate to be a devoted and responsible father.

He wanted to be the first to hold Maisie after the hospital birth. He tenderly kisses the baby and gives her a bottle.

And Dennis, 45, said: “He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day.”

Maisie was conceived after Chantelle and Alfie — just 12 at the time — had a single night of unprotected sex.

They found out about the baby when Chantelle was 12 weeks pregnant.

But they kept it a secret until six weeks later when Chantelle’s mum Penny, 38, became suspicious about her weight gain and confronted her.

After that Alfie’s family told only those closest to them for fear he would be “demonised” at school.

Chantelle gave birth to Maisie on Monday night after a five-hour labour at Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex.

Chantelle told how she discovered she was expecting after going to her GP with “really bad” stomach pains. She said: “Me and Alfie went. The doctor asked me whether we had sex. I said yes and he said I should do a pregnancy test. He did the test and said I was pregnant. I started crying and didn’t know what to do.

“He said I should tell my mum but I was too scared.

“We didn’t think we would need help from our parents. You don’t really think about that when you find out you are pregnant. You just think your parents will kill you.”

Lovely :

Chantelle’s mum said: “I told her it was lovely to have the baby but I wish it was in different circumstances. We have five children already so it’s a big financial responsibility. But we are a family and will pull together and get through.

“She’s my daughter. I love her and she will want for nothing.”

Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: “We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.

“At the same time this is symptomatic of the over-sexualisation of our youngsters and shows the policy of value-free sex education just isn’t working.”

Today Sussex Police and the local council's children services said they have investigated the case and pledged continued support for the young parents.

Britain’s youngest known father is Sean Stewart. He became a dad at 12 when the girl next door, 15-year-old Emma Webster, gave birth in Sharnbrook, Bedford, in 1998. They split six months later.

Top 5 Bizzare Facts...Around The Earth

Some Time we look too far to find some amazing things. But if we look around us we can see so many examples of bizarre facts. It is truly said that we know all about the Solar system but we hardly know about our palm. So I have accumulate some bizarre facts which are surprising and as well as amazing too,around the world.

I'm sure that these can blow your mind.


1. An 11-year-old "werewolf" boy who desperately seeks a cure for his condition is baffling medical experts.Pruthviraj Patil is one of 50 in the world who suffers from hypertrichosis, a rare genetic condition known as Werewolf Syndrome.As a result his face and body is covered in thick, matted hair.But he is hoping doctors will one day find a cure for his ailment.


2. A prominent under-bite, scrunched face and floppy ears are the hallmarks of a winner.The winner of the World's Ugliest Dog contest, that is.Pabst,The toothy 4-year-old Boxer mix rescued from a shelter by Miles Egstad of Citrus Heights, Calif., won the annual contest on
Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California.It was an upset victory for Pabst, who beat former champion Rascal, a pedigree Chinese Crested.Pabst's owner took home $1,600
in prize money, pet supplies and a modeling contract with House of Dog.


3. Meet Yoda, a household pet born with an extra pair of ears.Chicago, Illinois, couple Valerie and Ted Rock took the cat in two years ago after they visited a local bar, where a group of drinkers were handing the animal around and making fun of him.Since being adopted by the Rocks and after getting his picture posted on the Internet, the two-year-old feline has become an international media celebrity.



4. The spear entered Dave 11-moth-old Tabby's neck and came out by his left elbow. Lucky for
Dave, the cross bow attack missed his heart and lungs by a fraction.Owner Andrew Childerhouse said: "This defies understanding of people's minds. It is absolutely horrific.
Who would do this to a cat?"
"Dave is a very friendly cat so someone probably got very close and then let him have it."
Andrew Childerhosue said his two daughter were "hysterical" when they discovered Dave the
Tabby.
"The girls were hysterical. But Dave could still walk around and looked comfortable. There
was no blood showing from the wound."
"He was starving and very smelly from where he had been lying in his own mess."
Dave the kitten is now recovering after five days in intensive care.


5. A massive pig found at a remote cattle ranch or station in Australia's sparse north west Pilbra region has been found. The Feral Australian outback pig beast may be the biggest ever seen in the world.The giant pig is regarded as one of the biggest ever seen in the world. Pigs are not native to Australia and were first introduced to the Australian Outback by European settlers in the 18th century.The photo, snapped by John Anick a few years ago, has been doing the rounds on Internet blogs and chain mails for several months, as rumours circulated about the location where the massive wild pig was found and snapped.Reports say the giant big weighing in at 220 kilograms or 485 pounds was shot and killed from a helicopter eating the carcase of a dead cow.