Notable News (February 24-March 2, 2026)

This week’s headlines include the Royal Mint’s mystery bundles, an 1896 Olympic medal, Washington’s sales tax on coins and bullion, and the latest Royal Canadian Mint’s Tall Ships coin.

The British Royal Mint has introduced mystery coin bundles, which feature combinations of brilliant uncirculated and silver coins. The surprise coins in each mystery bundle are available at a reduced price compared to if they were bought individually.

Photo: British Royal Mint

A medal from the first modern Olympic Games sold for 900,000 Danish kroner (US $141,660) at Bruun Rasmussen Arts Auctioneers, tripling estimates. The medal issued for the 1896 Olympics in Athens was initially estimated to sell for 200,000-300,000 kroner.

Photo: Bruun Rasmussen Arts Auctioneers

Washington state ended its sales-tax exemption on precious metals on January 1, 2026, imposing up to a 10.6-percent tax on coins and bullion sales. Lawmakers have introduced House Bill 2093 and Senate Bill 5894 to reinstate the exemption.

Photo: Getty Images/brightstars

The fifth coin in the Royal Canadian Mint’s Tall Ships series honors the St. Lawrence ketch, once vital to communities along Quebec and Ontario’s waterways. Evolving over two centuries, these flat-bottomed vessels symbolize maritime ingenuity and Canada’s nautical heritage.

Photo: Royal Canadian Mint