2026 COTY 100: Best Contemporary Event
The 2026 Coin of the Year 100 continues with the Best Contemporary Event category, recognizing coins that commemorate people, institutions, and events that have shaped the modern world.
Last week, we covered the Most Historically Significant nominees for the 2026 Coin of the Year awards. This week, we’ll look at the Best Contemporary Event category. For this category, judges are looking for coins that commemorate “events, institutions or individuals deemed important in terms of current or recent events influencing a people or mankind.” Artistic merit is also given consideration.
Australia
80 Years On: Remembering the Second World War, KM 4934a
2 Dollar, Silver
Coins commemorating the Second World War are always popular. This Australian coin makes use of color for the red poppies and purple ribbons commonly used in remembrance wreaths. The pop of color and theme make for a beautiful coin.
China
The 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, KM 2928
10 Yuan, Bi-Metallic
This coin’s simple design includes the National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China and a section of the Great Wall, a symbol well known in China. It highlights the “uniting national sentiment, conveying national resolve, and capturing the spirit of the times.”
Cook Islands
60 Years Self-Government, KM 3533
10 Dollar, Silver
A map of the Cook Islands and a colorized and high-relief image of the main island, Rarotonga.
Finland
Finnish Veterans, KM 321
50 Euro, Gold & Silver
The use of negative space in this design creates the profiles of a veteran and a soldier. On the reverse is an altered version of the Finnish flag, the broken and jagged surface reminiscent of war.
France
Notre-Dame, KM 3653
2 Euro, Base Metal
The full-scale depiction of Notre-Dame’s west façade honors the reconstruction project of the cathedral. This 2-euro celebrates the reopening of the cathedral to the public.
Gabon
Warfare – War Has No Real Winner, KM 205
3,000 Francs CFA, Silver
A collage of modern and futuristic warfare set against the historic Battle of Actium, this coin brings a visual contrast between modern and ancient warfare. The dramatic symbolism a reminder that the outcome of war is loss and destruction.
Germany
35 Years of German Unity – Unity and Justice and Freedom, KM 455
2 Euro, Bi-Metallic
The fall of the Berlin Wall and the creation of the German Day of Unity, the day when the East and West were fully united once again, is celebrated on this German coin.
Italy
Lamborghini Silver Tryptich, KM 568, 569, 570
5 Euro (Each), Silver
These three coins were nominated together as a set. The coins are a tribute to the history of innovation and excellence for Automobili Lamborghini. Coins aren’t often nominated as a set; they typically have to physically fit together like puzzle pieces. However, the Nominating Committee felt that these three coins should stay together.
Poland
85th Anniversary of the Katyn Massacre, KM 1206
50 Złoty, Silver
A commemorative coin marking the anniversary of the Katyn massacre, a tragedy named after the forest where mass graves were found. Polish officers were killed in 1940, and the graves were found later. The description of the coin includes “A meaningful collector’s piece dedicated to memory, truth, and historical responsibility.”
Switzerland
CERN, KM 216
20 Swiss Francs, Silver
The Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest particle accelerator, is a technological feat. Two particles are seen colliding on the obverse, and one of the magnets of the Collider is seen on the reverse.
