2026 COTY 100: Best Bi-Metallic
The 2026 Coin of the Year nominees for Best Bi-Metallic highlight striking designs, innovative materials, and themes from around the world.
The Best Bi-Metallic category is primarily dedicated to ring coinage, where the outer ring and inner center are made of different, contrasting metals. This includes struck-through inserts but excludes appliqués. Over the years, the idea of ring coinage has been expanded slightly, but the general concept remains the same. Judges are asked to look at coins for all-around artistic appeal, both from an aesthetic and commercial standpoint. Consideration is also given to the coins’ unique theme.
Australia
Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle, KM 4956
50AUD, Gold & Silver
This is the tenth wedge-tailed eagle design American sculptor and engraver John M. Mercanti has produced for The Perth Mint.
Austria
Digitalisation, KM 3394
25 Euro, Silver-Niobium
The Austrian Mint’s silver-niobium coins are very popular and have had a running streak of winning the Best Bi-Metallic category. It’s not hard to see why, but competition is getting tougher each year, so it will remain to be seen if they will continue to hold onto the Best Bi-Metallic title.
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps Circuit
2 Euros, CuNi/CuZnNi
Celebrating 75 years of Formula 1 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a world-famous circuit, this coin’s design may seem simple compared to some of the others in the category, but the clean design of the circuit is quite eye-catching.
China
Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park – National Parks of China, KM 2907
10 Yuan, Brass, Copper alloy
A rainforest landscape with Hainan gibbons, Wuzhi Mountain, Wanquan River, and the Hainan peacock-pheasant grace the reverse of this coin. The design uses traditional Chinese painting techniques, condensing the scenery into a miniature.
Finland
Finland-Sweden Athletics International 100 Years, KM 318
2 Euro, Cupronickel, Brass
Two legs are seen in movement, an element of competition. This coin celebrates 100 years of the Finland-Sweden Athletics International.
France
Leo – Astrology, KM 3481
5 Euro, Base Metal
The astrological zodiacs are a fun and accessible discipline that attracts a wide audience. This coin has the wheel of the zodiac signs around the rim. The bust of a lion, for Leo, dominates the space on this coin.
Kazakhstan
MYSYRLQ TANYM (Egyptian View) – Ideas of Creation, KM 635
2,000 Tenge, Silver-Tantalum
This coin is a little bit out of the realm of what we typically consider to be ring coinage found in this category, but this silver-tantalum coin still fits the bill. This coin depicts Egyptian gods and symbols of technology, combining mythology and modern tech.
Luxembourg
Schuman Declaration, 75 Years, KM 199
Bi-Metallic
The Schuman Plan was a milestone in integration and construction, marking the beginning of reconciliation between France and Germany.
Switzerland
Confederatio (Helvetia), KM 215
10 Francs, Bi-Metallic
Confoederatio Helvetica is the national personification of Switzerland. She is seen wearing a laurel wreath, gazing upward.
United Kingdom
George Orwell, KM 2854
2 Pound, Bi-Metallic
This coin honors the life and legacy of George Orwell; “Big Brother is Watching You,” from 1984, is seen on the reverse of this bi-metallic commemorative from the Royal Mint.
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