Notable News (December 23-29, 2025)

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This week’s headlines include Souvenir Card Collectors Society cards, Jim Licaretz medal, an oil painting of George Washington, and redesigned Syrian currency.

In 2026, the Souvenir Card Collectors Society will issue intaglio-printed engraved cards for three shows. The cards, limited to 300 each, feature vintage engravings designed by U.S. security printers and will be issued for the winter Florida United Numismatists (FUN) show, the National Stock & Bond show, and the ANA World’s Fair of Money.

Photo: Souvenir Card Collectors Society

Acclaimed medalist Jim Licaretz, a former U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver, won the Gran Prix award and the Mel Wacks Judaica Art Medal Award at XXXVIII FIDEM Munich 2025 for his medal “Autoritratto di Fantasia.” The piece was praised for its imaginative self-portrait.

Photo: Mel Wacks

An 1804 Gilbert Stuart oil portrait of George Washington, which inspired the image on the $1 bill, will be auctioned by Christie’s in New York on January 23. Commissioned by James Madison, the painting has a colorful provenance and is estimated to be worth between $500,000 and $1 million.

Photo: Christie’s

Syria will replace its currency with redesigned bank notes starting January 1. The central bank will issue six new denominations.

Photo: Getty Images/lechatnoir