11 August, 2013
IACA Excellence in Currency Awards: 2013 Coin Awards
It was on May 8, 2007 in Bangkok, that the International Association of Currency Affairs launched the IACA Excellence in Currency Awards to shine a spotlight on outstanding achievements in the industry. In the following six years, IACA held five award ceremonies, gave out 27 IACA Excellence in Currency Awards and highlighted the Lifetime Achievements of 6 outstanding leaders. Currency News and the Currency Conference partnered with IACA to underscore the importance of recognizing this excellence.
IACA has recognized Best New Coin or Coin Series three times, with the awards going twice to the Royal Canadian Mint and once to the Royal Mint. During 2012, the IACA Board carried out a strategic review and renewed its commitment to supporting the industry in making cash the best that it can be. As part of that renewal, the Board determined that IACA should increase the awareness of excellence in the coin segment of the industry by holding a separate recognition for circulating coins. The Coin Conference agreed to host the IACA Excellence in Currency Awards for coins. The IACA Board also created a new category of award: Best Circulating Coin Innovation.
The coin award nomination process turned out to be even more engaging than the IACA Board had imagined. IACA received 18 nominations for Best New Circulating Coin or Coin Series and seven nominations for Best Circulating Coin Innovation. The nominated coins were a diverse group, from issuing countries on five continents.  The nominations pointed to a number of interesting websites and public education programs launched to inform the public about the designs and features of the circulating coins.
The screening panel had the difficult task of identifying three nominees in each category to be submitted to IACA’s full membership for a vote. In determining the top candidates for Best New Circulating Coin or Coin Series, IACA looked at eight principal criteria: 1) date of issue, 2) breadth of circulation, 3) metallic content, 4) security, 5) design, 6) sizes, 7) denomination differentiation, 8) support for visually impaired users. The panel looked for uniqueness and added value when considering the innovation nominations. In both categories, the panel considered the quality of the nomination write-up, as well as supporting documentation, web links, or videos.
IACA members will have the opportunity to vote for the Best New Circulating Coin or Coin Series and for Best Circulating Coin Innovation from August 15th through September 6th, by going to the IACA website www.currencyaffairs.org. The award winners will be revealed during the Coin Conference to be held in Berlin from October 28th through 30th. Good luck to all!
