Notable News (August 6-11, 2025)

This week’s headlines include a possible unified BRICS currency, an RCNA commemorative, an ANS semiquincentennial fundraiser, and the inaugural IMMY awards.

At the July 2025 BRICS summit in Russia, 10,000 symbolic bank notes were distributed. Though not legal tender, the effort indicates that a unified digital currency of the BRICS member nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others) could one day become a reality.

Photo: Getty Images/TinaFields

To mark the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association’s 75th anniversary, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a limited-edition 2025 collector set featuring six uncirculated coins and a special copper token honoring the Year of the Snake. Only 2,025 numbered sets were produced.

Photo: Coin Stamp Supplies

The American Numismatic Society has set up a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to raise $40,000 for the creation of a 2026 U.S. semiquincentennial commemorative medal. The fundraiser has raised $5,105 so far. The funds will primarily be used to pay artists’ costs.

Photo: Getty Images/Svitlana Iurchenko

The International Money Exposition (IMEX) has introduced the IMMY Award, which honors public figures who advance coin collecting. Inspired by the Emmy and Grammy, the IMMY celebrates cultural impact in numismatics. Actor Buddy Ebsen has been posthumously recognized as the inaugural winner of the 2023 award. Jack Black is the 2025 honoree for reigniting enthusiasm among new collectors.

Photo: Wikipedia.org