ULTRA-LOW MINTAGE & LOW MINTAGE
COINS
These issues have very
limited mintages, of anywhere from 2500 pieces to just 5
pieces, making them extremely difficult to find. Due
to a fortunate purchase we are able to offer these very scarce coins at
very good prices. TRIBAL COINS OF
GHANA
This fascinating series of coins has been issued by a firm in
Spain. High relief coins are being issued for many of the
traditional kingdoms and tribes of Ghana. The Kings or Chiefs of
the Kingdoms or Tribes have authorized each of the issues. The
coins are not intended to circulated, but rather to be sold to
raise funds for projects that benefit the Kingdoms and Tribes. The
coin have a mintage of only 1000 pieces each. The King or Chief
appears on the one side of the coins and items of significance to
the tribe, the name of the tribe and the denomination appear on the
other. The brass Eduola issue is denominated 1 Edo and features a
traditional spear and shield. A traditional drum is
on the bronze 1 Eche coin of
the
Naajeri Tribe. The coins are all 38mm in diameter, are dated 2008
and are Uncirculated with a matte finish.
Item
EDOULA
EDOULA BRASS 1 EDO 2008 UNC. $19.95
Item
NAAJERI
NAAJERI BRONZE 1 ECHE 2008 UNC $19.95
2023 HANKO COIN FEATURES POLIKARPOV I-15 BI-PLANEN
A Russian Polikarpov I-15 bi-plane
fighter is featured on this unofficial 2023 dated 50 Markka coin of
Hanko (Hango). The plane was used between 1939 and 1944 in the two wars
between Finland and the Soviet Union. The Hanko peninsula is the
southernmost point of mainland Finland and is the home of the port and
city of Hanko. During the 19th and early 20th centuries while
Finland was under Russian control, Hanko was the port of choice for
emigrants leaving Finland for a new life in North America and a popular
resort of Russian nobility. After the 1939 Winter War between
Finland and the Soviet Union, Finland was forced to lease the peninsula
to Russia for 30 years as a naval base. Finland regained
control of the peninsula in 1941 during the second Soviet-Finnish
war. The obverse of the coin depicts the heraldic
Finnish lion. The Proof silver-plated brass coin
has a mintage of only 125 pieces.
Item
HANKO HANKO 50 MARKKA 2023 PROOF
$22.00
BEE AND NOAH'S TOMB ON 2023 NAKHCHIVAN REPUBLIC COIN
The
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Naxcivan Respublikasi) is a landlock
exclave of Azerbaijan bordered by Armenia, Iran and Turkey.
Historically it was part of the Armenian homeland and had a large
Armenian population, however most Armenians fled or were massacred
during and after World War I. On January 20, 1990 Nakhchivan
became the first part of the Soviet Union to declare
independence. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
it became an autonomous part of Azerbaijan, with its own constitution,
legislature and is ruled by a corrupt, authoritarian
family. The emblem of Nakhchivan is obverse of this
unofficial 2023 50 Manat of Nakhchivan Republic. The reverse
features a bee with what is claimed to be the tomb of the biblical
prophet Noah. The Proof silver-plated brass coin has a
mintage of only 125 pieces.
Item
NAKHCHIVAN NAKHCHIVAN REPUBLIC 50 MANAT 2023 PROOF
$22.00
SCORPION AND CAMEL ON MASIRAH COIN
Masirah is an island in the Arabian Sea
off the east coast of Oman. It has an airbase for the Royal Air Force
of Oman and a fish factory, and several small towns. During
the summer it is popular with kite surfers due to its strong, steady
winds. Much of the interior of the island is
desert. The obverse of this unofficial 2022 20 Rials coin of
Masirah depicts Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, and the Oman
coat of arms. The reverse features a scorpion, camel and a
palm tree. The 37mm Proof silver-plated brass coin has a
mintage of only 145 pieces.
Item MASIRAH MASIRAH 20 RIALS 2022 PROOF
$22.00
PIGS ON BIG MAJOR CAY COIN
Big
Major Cay, also known as Pig Island, is uninhabited by humans,
however it does have a population of about two dozen swimming pigs. It
is located in the Exuma district of the Bahamas. The pigs are
a popular tourist attraction. The feral domestic pigs are not
afraid of people. They love to take to water and lay in the
sun on the beach. The pigs are fed by tourists and from
passing yachts, and if the boat gets close enough to the shore, the
pigs can jump in on their own, begging for food. Drinking
water is provided by small lakes on the island. No one is
quite sure how the non-native pigs got there. Some claim they
were left by sailors who planned to later pick them up and eat them,
but never returned. Others say they survived a shipwreck, or
were brought to the island to attract tourists.
This odd-shaped 2023 20 Dollar coin of Big Major Cay has an unusual
design, the design on the front wraps over to the back. The
design includes the Bahamas coat of arms and two pigs, half of one of
the pigs is on the front of the coin with the other half is on the
back. The unofficial silver-plated Proof coin is 39mm and has
a mintage of just 125 pieces.
Item
CAY BIG MAJOR CAY 20 DOLLARS 2023 PROOF
$22.00
TORY ISLAND COIN FEATURES RAVEN
Tory
Island (Oilean Thoraigh in Irish) is a remote island off the
northern coast of Ireland inhabited by less than 150 people.
It is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long and 1 kilometer (.6 miles)
wide. The northern coast is
heavily indented by bays and bays, the coasts are rather steep and
steep. Tory is mentioned in a number of Irish legends. Today
it is noted for its rugged beauty and an artist colony. This
unofficial 2023 six-sided 10 Pound coin of Tory Island features a
Celtic Cross and an Irish Harp on the obverse. The reverse
depicts a raven on the handle of a sword. Morrigan, the goddess of war
in Irish mythology would often take the form of a raven.
Morrigan would not take part in the battles, but she would be present
on the battlefield and used all her power to help one side or
another. The 39mm silver-plated brass coin has a mintage of
only 125 pieces.
Item
TORY TORY ISLAND 10 POUNDS 2023 PROOF
$22.00
BERDOO
66 CENTS - SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SECESSION COIN
In
November 2022 San Bernardino County voted to secede from the State
of California. San Bernardino, often called the "Inland
Empire", is the largest county in California. Like many
regions of California, they were fed up with the liberal big city
politicians that control California. To mark the event the
Small Forest Mint issued a copper 66 Cent coin for Berdoo.
Berdoo is what locals call San Bernardino. The historic Route 66 runs
through the county, hence the denomination of 66 cents. The
denomination is within an arrowhead shaped like the Arrowhead
Geological Monument at Arrowhead Springs. The reverse depicts
the date and a Joshua Tree which is common in desert areas of the
county, which is home to Joshua Tree National Park. The
Highway Gothic font was used on old highway signs. The
hand-struck coins are Uncirculated but may have minor dark
areas. Mintage is limited to a maximum of 200 pieces or when
the dies wear out, whichever comes first.
Item
BERDOO BERDOO 66 CENTS 2023 UNC.
$7.00
RARE KINGDOM OF HAWAII SURFING
COMPETITION COIN
The
Kingdom of Hawaii, a modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement, commemorated
the 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Surfing competition on this
ultra-low mintage sterling silver 25 Dala coin. It has a
mintage of only 46 pieces! As a lifeguard Eddie Aikau saved
over 500 lives, sometimes braving 30-foot waves. He died
trying to rescue his crewmates in an attempt to reenact a canoe voyage
from Hawaii to Polynesia. The surfing competition was started
in 1984 in his honor. It is held at Waimea Bay on the north
shore of Oahu, Hawaii, where Eddie was a lifeguard. Because
the competition is held only when ocean swells reach a minimum of 20
feet, (6.1m) it has been held just 10 times since its
inception. During the 2023 competition surfers
braved waves 30 to 50 feet (9.1 to 15.2m) in height. The coin
depicts an incused image of a Hawaiian Koa warrior on the obverse and a
surfer on the reverse.
Item
HAWAII-23 HAWAII SILVER 25 DALA 2023 EDDIE
AIKAU SURFING COMPETITION UNC.
$45.00
SILVER
2021 50 DALA COIN OF THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM
The
Hawaiian Kingdom is one of many Hawaiian sovereignty
movements. They contend that because the United States
illegally overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, the United States
occupation of Hawaii is illegal and Hawaii is still an independent
kingdom. The 2021 Hawaiian Kingdom 50 Dala coin features the
bust of a Hawaiian Koa warrior, denomination and date on one side and a
map of Hawaii on the other. Unlike most coins the design is
incuse rather than raised. The 30mm coin contains 1/2 troy
ounce of .999 silver and is approximately 2.5mm thick. The
coin is hand struck, so each coin is slightly different. It
has a total mintage of just 97 pieces.
Item
HAWAII-21 HAWAII SILVER 50 DALA 2021 UNC.
$39.95
WARRIOR
ON COIN OF VARKANA
Varkana, also called Hyrcania is a
territory along the southeastern coast of the Caspian
Sea. The name Varkana is derived from Persian for
"Country of Wolves". It was a province in the Midian,
Akhe-menid, Seleucid and Parthian empires. In 72AD became an
independent kingdom with nominal allegiance to Parthia. This
unofficial 2022 10,000 Rials of Varkana features a fierce ancient
warrior on the reverse. A heraldic wolf is on the
obverse. The39mm, six-sided, silver-plated brass
Proof coin has a mintage of only 120 pieces.
Item
VARKANA VARKANA 10,000 RIALS 2022 PROOF $19.95
CELTIC STATE OF SCORDISK
The
Skordiski were an Iron Age Celtic tribe who were centered at at the
confluence of the Savus (Sava), Dravus (Drava), Margus (Morava) and
Danube rivers in what is now Serbia. By the second half the of the 3rd
century BC they became the most important power in the northern
Balkans. They built fortresses at Singidunum (the modern city
of Belgrade) and Taurun (the modern Zemun). At their peak they
controlled portions of present-day Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and
Romania. From 141BC they were constantly at war against
Roman-held Macedonia. Roman sources report that they had the custom of
drinking blood from hollow skulls and that they sacrificed captives to
their deities. They were defeated by the Romans in 15BC. This
unofficial 2022 5000 Dinara of the State of Scordisk features a fierce
Skordiski warrior on one side and the Serbian coat-of-arms supported by
two angels on the other. The eight-sided, 40mm, silver-plated
brass Proof coin has a mintage of only 120 pieces.
Item
SCORDISK STATE OF SCORDISK 5000 DINARA 2022
PROOF $19.95
COIN
OF FIUME
Fiume
gained autonomy for the first time in 1719 when it was proclaimed a
free port of the Holy Roman Empire. The port city was later
transferred to the Kingdom of Hungary, but given a special separate
status. After World War I its status was disputed between Italy,
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia) and the Great
Powers (Great Britain, France and the United States). In 1919
it proclaimed itself the independent state of Italian Regency of
Carnaro (Reggenza Italiana del Carnaro) under a fascist government with
a plan unite with Italy. Under pressure of the Great Powers
Italy did not take control of the territory and it was proclaimed the
Free State of Fiume. Control of the city remained unstable,
with control passing between fascist, communists and nationalists until
1924 when the Treaty of Rome awarded the city to Italy.
Following World War II another attempt was made to set up an
independent free state, but instead it was incorporated into
Yugoslavia. Fiume is now the city of Rijeka in
Croatia. The obverse of the unofficial 2022 dated
200 Lire features the two-headed eagle symbol of the city, whose use
was forbidden by both the Italian and Yugoslavian
governments. The reverse features a statue of the Archangel
of Justice and the emblem of Regency of Carnaro depicting an
ouroboros. The 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of
just 130 pieces.
Item
FIUME FIUME 200 LIRE 2022 PROOF $22.00
KNIGHT ON BRITTANY COIN
Brittany
is the northwest region of France. During the Middle Ages, Brittany was
a vassal duchy of France, while maintaining almost complete
independence. Control frequently passed between England and
France during their many wars. In 1963, the Brittany
Liberation Front was created, which began the struggle for the
independence of Brittany. The obverse of the unofficial 2022
dated Brittany 100 Franc coin features the previous arms of Brittany
surrounded by the arms of the bishoprics and regions of
Brittany: Leon, Tregor, Cornuay, the Vannes Rennes, Nantes, Dol,
Malouin and Penthievre. The reverse depicts a
knight on horseback with a dog and the Tanti tower. The 39mm
silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 150 pieces.
Item
BRITTANY BRITTANY 100 FRANCS 2022 PROOF $22.00
ARARAT
REPUBLIC
The
Ararat Republic was an independent Armenian state proclaimed May 28,
1918 during the Russian revolution and the collapse of the Ottoman
Empire. It included most of the Kars region, the city of Van
and Mount
Ararat. In 1920, following the Turkish-Armenian War
and the invasion
by the Red Army the territory was divided between U.S.S.R. and
Turkey.
Mount Ararat and the cities of Kars and Van, all of which are of great
historical and cultural importance to Armenians were given to
Turkey.
The obverse of this unofficial 2021 dated 500 Dram of the Ararat
Republic includes the nation’s coat of arms. The reverse
features the
Church of the Twelve Apostles in Kars as it appeared in the early 20th
century, with Mount Ararat in the
background. The church was built during the 10th century as an Armenian
Apostolic Cathedral, then abandoned after the Seljuks conquered Kars in
1065. It was converted to a mosque in 1579 after Kars became part of
the Ottoman Empire. The Russians conquered Kars in 1877 and
converted
it into a Russian Orthodox Church. The Turks captured Kars in
1918 and
converted it back into a mosque. The Ararat (Armenian)
Republic gained
control of the city in 1919 and made it into an Armenian
Church. The
following year Turkey took control of Kars, briefly operated it as a
mosque before selling it to the municipality of Kars which planned to
demolish it. Luckily that never happened. In the
1950’s the city used
it as a petroleum depot. From 1964 to 1978 it was
the site of the
Kars museum. In 1993 it was again converted into a
mosque called
Kumbet Mosque. The five-sided silver-plated Proof coin is
37mm and has
a mintage of 145 pieces.
Item
ARARAT ARARAT REPUBLIC 500 DRAMS 2021 PROOF $19.95
THE
COLOSSUS OF RHODES
The
Colossus of Rhodes is featured on this unofficial 2021 500 Drachma of
Rhodes. The Colossus was a statue of the Greek sun god Helios
that was erected in 280BC at the mouth of the harbor of
Rhodes. It was some 108 feet(33m) high, approximately the
height of the Statue of Liberty from head to feet. It was one
of the seven ancient wonders of the world. It collapsed
during an earthquake in 226BC. The broken statue remained in
place until the Arab conquest of Rhodes in 653AD, and it was sold for
scrap metal. Rhodes is an island off the
coast of Turkey. In 1309, the Knights Hospitaller took over
the island and made it their headquarters until it was conquered by
Suleyman the Magnificent in 1522 after a long siege. Italy
seized the territory in 1912 and in 1947 it was united with
Greece. The obverse of the eight-sided
silver-plated brass Proof coin features the Rhodes coat of
arms. The coin has a mintage of only 145 pieces.
Item
RHODES RHODES 500 DRACHMAS 2021 PROOF $19.95
FLAMINGOS
ON COIN OF NUEVA ESPARTA
Nueva
Sparta is an archipeligo of three islands; Margarita, Coche and
Cubagua; located off the coast of Venezuela. They
were discovered in 1498 during the third voyage of
Columbus. Rich pearl deposits were discovered on
Cubagua it was soon settled by Europeans that exploited the
pearls. By 1537,less than 40 years after the islands were
discovered the oyster population had been decimated, the pearl industry
collapsed and the island largely abandoned. most of the remaining
residents moved to Margarita. Even today Cubagua remains
largely uninhabited. The Spanish built a number of forts on
islands to protect against French and English navies and
pirates. In 1816 Simon Bolivar proclaimed the Third Republic
of Venezuelan and the Assembly of Notables recognized Bolivar as the
Supreme Chief in the Church of Santa Ana on Margarita. The
islands were given the name Nueva Esparta (New Sparta) because of the
heroism shown by the inhabitants resembled that of the Spartans of
classical Greece during Venezuela's war of independence. This
unofficial 2021 Nueva Sparta
500 Bolivars features the Nueva Sparta arms on the obverse.
The reverse features two flamingos and cattleya flowers along with the
denomination, date and the arms of Venezuela. The six-sided
silver-plated brass Proof coin has a mintage of just 145 pieces.
Item
NUEVAESPARTA NUEVA ESPARTA 500 BOLIVARS
2021 PROOF $19.95
SAVAGE
ISLANDS COIN FEATURES BIRDS
The
Savage Islands, also known as the Selvagens or Salvage Islands is
an uninhabited archipelago belonging to Portugal midway between Madeira
and the Canary Islands. Since 1971 it has been a nature
reserve. This unofficial 8-sided 2022 Savage Islands 200
Escudos depicts two Pink Terns and a Madeira Lizard on one side and the
coat of arms on the other. The 40mm Proof silver-plated brass
coins have a mintage of just 145 pieces.
Item
SAVAGE SAVAGE ISLANDS 200 ESCUDOS 2022 PROOF $19.95
2022
SILVER COIN OF
GREATER IDAHO
Greater
Idaho is a secessionist movement in rural areas of Oregon, northeastern
California and southeastern Washington to become part of
Idaho. The conservative rural areas are unhappy about the
liberal policies and politics imposed on them by the more heavily
populated cities in their states. They feel their rural
culture and values would be respected and better preserved by becoming
part of Idaho. Thus far eight Oregon counties have voted in
favor of leaving Oregon and becoming part of Greater Idaho. Regardless
of the wishes of the people, it is unlikely to ever happen.
Recently Smallforest, a private mint in Oregon, hand struck sterling
silver coin for Greater Idaho. The 32mm coin is
struck in .925 fine silver is dated 2022 and is denominated as 25
Greater Taters. One side features the proposed map of
Greater Idaho inside the outline of a potato. The other side
depicts the Mister Potato head with the his nose forming the numerals
25. Total mintage is expected to be less than 300 pieces.
Item
IDAHO25 GREATER IDAHO SILVER 25 GREATER
TATERS 2022 UNC. $29.95
COINS
FROM THE WORLD'S MOST COMPLICATED INTERNATIONAL BORDER
Baarle-Hertog is a Belgian municipality that consists of 16
parcels of land, completely surrounded by the Netherlands.
Baarle-Nassau is a Dutch municipality that includes seven parcels that
are in turn surrounded by Baarle-Hertzog, and an eighth parcel
surrounded by Belgium. The complex border results from
numerous Medieval treaties, land-swaps and sales between the Lords of Breda and
the Dukes of Brabant dating back to the 12th century. The
border was
only finally officially defined in 1995. Some buildings straddle both
nations. The nationality of a building is determined by the location of
its front door. Building owners have been known to move their
front
door, when it was advantageous to change nationalities. Prior
to the
formation of the European Union this strange border provided
opportunities for smuggling. Today it is a tourist
attraction.
Unofficial 2021 dated silver-plated Proof coins were recently issued
for these two territories. The Baarle-Hetzog 250 Franc coin
features
the arms of Belgium and a Brussels griffon dog. The
Baarle-Nassau 250
Guilder depicts a Netherlands Kooikerhondje. Only 140 pieces
of each
were struck.
Item
B-HERTZOG BAARLE-HERTZOG 250 FRANCS 2021
PROOF
$19.95
Item
B-NASSAU BAARLE-NASSAU 250 GUILDERS 2021
PROOF
$19.95
CASTLES AND BEETLES OF
LIECHTENSTEIN
Two unofficial 2021 Liechtenstein coins featuring historic castles of
the House of Liechtenstein and native species of beetles (or perhaps
the castles are infested with beetles) have been released.
The House of Lichtenstein was a wealthy Austrian family with extensive
holdings in central Europe. In the late 17th and early 18th
century the family purchased what is now the Principality of
Liechtenstein in order to gain the prestige and power having a seat in
the Imperial Diet (Reichstag) and being a member state of the Holy
Roman Empire. Until World War II the ruling family rarely
visited Liechtenstein, instead lived in their castles in what is now
the Czech Republic. In 1939 Nazi Germany seized their castles
and land and the family fled to Liechtenstein. Their property
was nationalized by the communists following World War II.
Today the castles are museums and are UNESCO world heritage
sites. Valtice Castle was founded in the 12th century and
extensively updated in the 17th and 18th centuries. Lednice
Castle is one of the most beautiful examples of English-Neo Gothic
architecture in the world. 100 Franc coins were made
featuring each castle. A Rhinoceros beetle is on the coin
depicting the Valtice castle. A Stag beetle is on the coin
depicting the Lednice castle. The obverse of each coin
depicts the castle's coat of arms. The eight-sided silver-plated Proof
coins have a mintage of only 160 pieces each.
Item
LI-VAITICE LIECHTENSTEIN 100 FRANCS 2021
VALTICE CASTLE - RHINO BEETLE PROOF
$22.00
Item
LI-LEDNICE LIECHTENSTEIN 100 FRANCS 2021
LEDNICE CASTLE -
STAG BEETLE PROOF
$22.00
Item
LI-BOTH BOTH OF THE ABOVE LIECHTENSTEIN
COINS (Save over $4 )
$39.75
CALIFORNIA
REPUBLIC COINS
A
movement to create California as an independent nation has been active
for some years. The movement is headed by a New Yorker living in
Russia. It appears most its funding is from Russia and social media
support from both Russia and Iran. The movement has
found little backing within the state, (though there are probably some
conservatives who would be happy to see California leave the
Union.) Recently a Russian coin dealer created two beautiful
coins for the California Republic. Both coins are denominated as 20
California Dollars and are dated 2020. They are 40mm
eight-sided, silver plated Proof coins. One depicts a Bobcat
and her kitten in Yosemite Valley. The other features Minerva
and sailing ships. The design is from the state
seal. The reverses of both coins depict a Grizzly Bear and
the words "CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC". The design comes from the California
State Flag. The Bear Flag Republic design is based on a flag
used in the 1846 revolt against Mexico. Each coin
has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
CAL-YOSEMITE
CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC 20 DOLLARS
2020 BOBCAT-YOSEMITE PROOF
$19.95
Item
CAL-MINERVA
CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC 20
DOLLARS 2020 MINERVA & SHIPS PROOF
$19.95
Item
CAL-BOTH
BOTH OF THE ABOVE CALIFORNIA
REPUBLIC COINS PROOF
$39.50
UNUSUAL
MULTI-COLOR COINS FROM CORAL SEA REEFS
Bougainville Reef and Flora Reef are Australian territories in the
Coral Sea. They are popular with divers and recreational
fishermen. Bougainville Reef is the home of an unmanned
lighthouse and weather station. Flora Reef is a 4.6 sq. mile
(12 sq.km.) submerged atoll. Unofficial 10 Dollar coins were
issued for these uninhabited locations dated 2017. Both are
multi-color quarter circle wedge shaped coins. A laced moray
eel (Gymnothorax favagineus) in depicted on the Bougainville
coin. The Flora Reef coin features a blue-girdled angelfish
(Pomacanthus navarchus). The obverses of the coins depicts
Queen Elizabeth The odd-shaped silver-plated Proof coins are
46mm x 34mm and has a mintage of only 200 pieces each.
Item
OSPREY OSPREY REEF REEF 10 DOLLARS
(2016) CLOWN FISH, PROOF $22.00
Item
BOUGAINVILLE BOUGAINVILLE REEF 10 DOLLARS
2017, LACED MORAY EEL, PROOF
$22.00
Item
CORINGA CORINGA ISLETS 10 DOLLARS
2017, LONGNOSE BUTTERFLYFISH PROOF
$22.00
Item
FLORA FLORA REEF 10 DOLLARS 2017,
BLUE-GIRDLED ANGELFISH
PROOF $22.00
MINOTAUR ON 2020 CRETE COIN
In Greek mythology the Minotaur as a
creature that was part man, part bull. It was contained the
elaborate and confusing Labyrinth on Crete. The Minotaur is
featured on the reverse of this unofficial five-sided 500 Drachmai of
Crete. The obverse features the coat of arms of
Crete. The silver-plated Proof coin is 36mm and has a mintage
of just 160 pieces.
Item
CRETE
CRETE 500 DRACHMAI 2020 PROOF
$19.95
GOLIATH HERON ON COIN
OF DAHLAC
Dahlac is an archipelago of over 100
islands located in the Red Sea, only four of which are permanently
inhabited. It has a population of about 2500. In Roman times
it was
famous for its pearls. Even today it still has a small pearl diving
industry. Over the centuries it has been used as a prison and a major
conduit of trade and slaves between Africa and Arabia.
Recently it has
become a popular destination for yacht cruising and scuba
divers. It is
currently controlled by Eritrea. This unofficial six-sided
2020 50
Nafka coin of Dahlac depicts a Goliath Heron on the reverse.
The large
bird can reach up to 5 feet (152cm) and have a 7.5 foot (230cm)
wingspan. The emblem of Dahlac featuring a camel is on the
obverse.
The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
DAHLAC DAHLAC
50 NAFKA 2020 PROOF $19.95
ROTUMA COIN FEATURES
NATIVE BIRD
Rotuma
is an island controlled by Fiji that is located some 400 miles (645km)
north of Fiji. It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which
have a
distinct language and culture from Fiji. In 1987 a
part-Rotuman man
named Henry Gibson proclaimed the independence of Rotuma and declared
himself king of the Republic of Rotuma. (I am not sure how
one can be
the king of a republic). The independence movement seems to
have died
out soon thereafter. In 2020 an unofficial coin was struck
for
Rotuma. The 39mm scalloped 50 Pa'atuna coin depicts a Rotuma
myzomela
bird (Myzomela chermesina). The other side depicts the arms
of Rotuma.
The Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
ROTUMA ROTUMA
50 PA'ATUNA 2020 PROOF
$19.95
PIEGAN
BLACKFOOT INDIAN ON MONTANA
COIN
A
dramatic image of a Piegan Indian hunting
buffalo is featured on this unofficial Montana 20 Dollar
coin. The hunter wears a buffalo head dress in order to blend
in with the heard is shooting an arrow while holding another arrow in
his mouth. The traditional Piegan homelands were divided
between the United States and Canada. Those on the United States side
became part of the Blackfoot Nation and settled on the Blackfoot
reservation in Montana. Those on the Canadian side became
part of the Piikani Nation in Alberta. The odd-shaped 2020
dated coin features a star and the Montana coat of arms on the
obverse. The silver-plated Proof coin is 40mm x 30mm
and has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
MONTANA MONTANA 20 DOLLARS 2020
PROOF $19.95
Also see:
INDIANS FEATURED ON 2020 LOW MINTAGE 20 DOLLAR
COINS OF ARIZONA, DAKOTA, DELAWARE & WYOMING
SAIPAN
HONORS WORLD WAR II BATTLE
Saipan
is now part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands. In World War II it was the site of one of the
bloodiest and most strategic battles in the Pacific. Saipan
was Japanese territory and one of the last line of defenses before the
homeland. An estimated 29,000 Japanese soldiers and 20,000 civilians
died trying to defend the island. 3,426 Americans died and 10,364 were
wounded. The loss of Saipan was a major blow to Japan.
American B-29 bombers were now within striking range of mainland Japan
and the Philippines. The obverse unofficial 2019 Saipan 5
Dollar coin depicts the emblem of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana
Islands. The reverse features a Marine in front of a waving
American flag and the dates of the Battle of
Saipan. The 40mm eight-sided silver-plated Proof
coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
SAIPAN SAIPAN 5 DOLLARS 2019 PROOF
$22.00
RARE ODD DENOMINATION
ARAUCANIA-PATAGONIA COINS AND PATTERNS
These 2014 dated Araucania-Patagonia 87 Pesos coins were
issued to commemorate the 87 years of the life of the Prince Felipe,
who died in 2014. The reverse bears the
inscription in Spanish "
To
the memory of Prince Felipe / 1921 * 2014".
Unfortunately due to an engraving error, the birth date was
wrong on the initial batch of coins The correct date is 1927
rather than 1921.
Only 25 nickel-silver versions of the coin were struck, along with 15
of the copper Patterns and 15 of the gold plated Patterns with the
error date. The minting was then stopped and a new reverse
die
ordered.. The corrected version has the dates "1927 *** 2014"
and
was struck in nickel-silver, copper and gold-plated. Only 87
of each of the correct versions of the coins were struck. The coins all
utilize the same obverse, depicting Prince Felipe.
The Patterns
utilize the obverse of Maision de Frappe Fleure de Coin, a private mint
in Quebec. They are all extraordinarily rare pieces
that had very limited distribution.
Item
AP-87ERR ARAUCANIA-PATAGONIA 87 PESOS 2014
ERROR DATE COIN, MATTE UNC.
$75.00
Item
AP-PAT87-COP ARAUCANIA-PATAGONIA 87 PESOS
2014 COPPER ERROR DATE PATTERN,
MATTE UNC.
$80.00
Item
AP-87NS ARAUCANIA-PATAGONIA 87 PESOS
2014 CORRECT DATE, NICKEL-SILVER PROOF
$40.00
Item
AP-87COP ARAUCANIA-PATAGONIA 87 PESOS
2014 CORRECT DATE, COPPER PROOF
$45.00
Item
AP-87GLD ARAUCANIA-PATAGONIA 87 PESOS
2014 CORRECT DATE, GOLD-PLATED PROOF
$50.00
VERY
RARE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL UNION ORDER PRESENTATION COINS
The Russian Imperial Union Order was founded in Paris in 1929 by a
group of Russian exiles in order to promote the legitimate line of the
Russian Czar and re-establish Russia as a monarchy. In 1979
it struck a 1 Ruble to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the
organization. The obverse depicts the emblem of the order: the Czarist
eagle with a sword. The inscriptions translate as: "
Russian Imperial
Union-Order", "
For the Faith, the Czar and the
Fatherland",
"
1929-1989",
"
60 years of struggle"
and "
We are Russian, God
is with
us". The reverse depicts the portrait of Czar Nicholas II
with
inscriptions: "
1894-1917"
(the dates of his reign), "
Only
National
Assembly will choose the worthy successor" and the
denomination
"
Ruble".
The coins are 38.25mm in diameters. Examples struck
in copper, silver and gold were sold to supporters and the public as a
fundraiser. In addition 60 pieces were struck in
copper-nickel with an antiqued finish and 28 Essais were struck in
antiqued bronze for presentation purposes. The Essai features the
czarist eagle obverse on one side and the word Essai in Russian on the
other. These rare presentation coins have not been
available to the public until now.
Item
RIUO-1R RUSSIAN IMPERIAL UNION ORDER 1 RUBLE
1989
Copper-Nickel out
Item
RIUO-ESSAI RUSSIAN IMPERIAL UNION ORDER
ESSAI 1989, Bronze $80.00
COLUMBUS ON ST. CROIX,
VIRGIN ISLANDS DOLLAR
Christopher
Columbus and one of his ships is depicted on this unofficial 2015 dated
1 Dollar coin from St. Croix. Columbus landed on the island
in November 1493 and was attacked by the native Caribs
(Kalinagos). Over the years ownership of the island passed
between Spain, the Netherlands, the Knights of Malta, Great Britain,
France and Denmark. Denmark sold it, along with St. Thomas
and St. John to the United States in 1916, during World War
I. Today it is part of the United States Virgin
Islands. The obverse of the coin features
a Bananaquit bird, the state bird of the U.S. Virgin Islands, perched
on the letters “SC”. Below is the original Spanish name for
the Virgin Islands. The 40mm Proof coin is struck
on silver plated brass and has a mintage of just 250 pieces.
Item
CROIX ST. CROIX 1 DOLLAR 2015, COLUMBUS PROOF
$22.00
CARIB INDIANS ON ST.
JOHN, VIRGIN
ISLANDS DOLLAR
Saint
John is the smallest of the three main United States Virgin
Islands. Approximately 60% is a National Park. This
unofficial 2015 1 Dollar coin of St. John depicts two native Island
Caribs on the reverse. In the 18th Century Denmark
established sugar plantations on the island and enslaved the Caribs to
work on the plantations. The native population was quickly
decimated by diseases. In 1917 Denmark sold the islands to
the United States. The obverse features a Bananaquit bird,
the state bird of the U.S. Virgin Islands, perched on the letters
“SJ”. Below is the original Spanish name for the Virgin
Islands: Islas Santa Ursla Y Once Mil Virgenes (Islands of St. Ursla
and Eleven Thousand Virgins). The 40mm Proof coin is struck on silver
plated brass and has a mintage of only 250 pieces.
Item
JOHN ST. JOHN 1 DOLLAR 2015, CARIBS
PROOF
$22.00
SCARCE
1990 ARMENIA MEMORIAL RUBLE & PATTERNS
In
1990 the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), also known as
Dashnaktsutyun, issued Memorial Rubles to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of its founding. At the time Armenia was
still under Soviet control and the ARF was in many ways serving as a
government in exile to the Armenian community. The ARF was
established in 1890 in Russia. The left-leaning political party
advocated a unified, independent Armenia and was instrumental in the
creation of the short-lived first Armenian Republic in 1918.
In 1920 the Soviets took over Armenia and exiled the leadership of the
ARF. The party became established in the Armenian Diaspora with
affiliates in more than 20 nations. The party holds seats in
the parliaments of Armenia,
Nagarno-Karabakh
and Lebanon. The obverse of the coin depicts the ARF emblem
which features a sword, shovel, quill pen and an arm holding a
banner. The reverse shows the Sardarapat memorial bell tower
and Mount Ararat. At Saradarapt a rag-tag army of Armenians
defeated the Ottomans in 1918 and established the first Armenian
Republic. Precious metal versions of the Ruble were sold to
collectors to raise funds. 4000 nickel-silver versions of the
coin were also struck and distributed to party supporters in Soviet
controlled Armenia and the Diaspora community. We also have
available scarce gold plated Proof patterns of the coin. The
patterns feature either the obverse or reverse design of the coin, with
the word “pattern” in Russian on the other side. Only 25 of
each of the pattern coins were struck. We are
pleased to offer these scarce coins and patterns that are unknown to
most collectors.
Item
AM-RUBLE90
ARMENIA - A.R.F. 1 ROUBLE
1990 PROOF out
Item
AM-OBV-PAT
OBVERSE PATTERN OF
ARMENIA 1 ROUBLE 1990 (ARF Emblem) PROOF $49.50
SCARCE BI-METALLIC
AFRICAN PRESIDENT COINS WITH MINTAGES OF ONLY 500 PIECES!
These bi-metallic 6000 CFA Franc coins have a mintage of only 500
pieces each, yet are still reasonably priced. The 28.4mm coins have a
copper-nickel center in a brass ring. The coins are dated 2003 and
feature a portrait of the President and a map of their country on the
obverse. A map of Africa and elephant’s head is on the
reverse. The Benin issue depicts President Mathieu
Kerekou. Unlike most African Presidents, in 2006 he actually
retired when his term was up. President Paul Biya is on the
Cameroon coin. He has been President since 1982. The coin
catalogs for $80.00. The Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivorie) depicts
President Laurent Gbagbo. He was President from 2000 until
2011, when he was arrested and extradited to the International Criminal
Court.
Item
BJ-PRES BENIN 6000 FRANCS 2003 Br.X41
PRES.KEREKOU (Mintage 500) UNC.
$29.50
Item
CM-PRES CAMEROON 6000 FRANCS 2003 Br.X27
PRES. BIYA (Mintage 500) UNC.
$29.50
Item
CI-PRES IVORY COAST 6000 FRANCS 2003 Br.X7
PRES. GBAGBO (Mintage 500) UNC.
$29.50
TOPLESS WOMAN ON
LOW MINTAGE BIMETALLIC TOGO COIN 
This scarce unofficial bi-metallic 6000 Francs coin of Togo features a
topless Guin woman. The Guin are one of the major tribes in
Togo. The reverse features the head of an elephant and a map
of northern Africa. From the 16th to 18th Centuries Togo was
a major slave trading center, thus earning the name "Slave
Coast". It was claimed by Germany in 1884, transferred to
France after World War I, and became independent in 1960. The 2003
dated coin is 28mm in diameter, has a mintage of only 1,200 pieces and
a catalog value of $35.00
Item
TG-GUIN TOGO
6000 FRANCS 2003 GUIN WOMAN
BIMETAL Br.X 21 UNC $15.00
AFRICAN
COINS
FEATURE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN MONEY
Six member nations of the African Development Bank issued a
series of coins, each of which features a form of traditional money
used
in the member nation. Each coin bears the denomination of
1500
CFA Francs. The coins are 27mm nickel-plated steel and are dated
2005. One side features an
Elephant’s head and a map of Africa while the other features a form of
traditional
money. The Cameroon issue features a Mambila. Three pieces of
Spear
Money is shown on the coin of the Central African Republic. A
Manilla
is shown on the Chad issue. A Katanga Cross is on the coin
from
the
Congo Republic. A pair of Cowrie shells is on the Equatorial
Guinea
coin. The Gabon coin shows a piece of Throwing Knife
Money. Each coin has a mintage of only 2005 pieces!
Individually
they are interesting coins. As a
set they display the
wide range of items used for money in Africa prior to the introduction
of
coins and currency.
Item
CM-PRIM CAMEROON 1500 FRANCS 2005 Mambila
Br.X26 Unc. $9.50
Item
CF-PRIM CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 1500 Francs
2005 Spear Money Br.X12
Unc. $9.50
Item
TD-PRIM CHAD 1500 Francs 2005
Manilla Br.X19
Unc.$17.50
Item
CG-PRIM CONGO REPUBLIC 1500 Francs 2005
Katanga Cross Br.X46 Unc.
$9.50
Item
GQ-PRIM EQUATORIAL GUINEA 1500 Francs 2005
Cowries Br.X124 Unc.
$9.50
Item
GA-PRIM GABON 1500 Francs 2005 Throwing knife
Money Br.X16
Unc. $9.50
Item
AFRICA-PRIM SET OF ABOVE 6 AFRICAN COINS
PICTURING PRIMITIVE MONEY Unc.
$59.00
MULTI-CURRENCY
COIN FROM BENIN
This
unusual coin of Benin is denominated in
three different currencies! The coin is denominated in the
local currency: 1500 CFA Francs, a common currency used by a number of
African nations that were once French colonies. More unusual
is that the coin is also denominated as 2.30 Euros and 3.45 Swiss
Francs. The 2005 coin was issued to honor (and sell at) the
2005 coin fairs in Basel, Switzerland and Piacenza, Italy. The coin
features a map of Europe highlighting the 25 members of the European
Union plus Switzerland one one side, and a map of Africa on the
other. The coin has a mintage of only 2005 pieces.
Item
BJ-EU BENIN
1500 FRANCS, 2.30 EUROS, 3.45
SWISS FRANCS, 2005 Br.X44 (Mintage 2005 pices) UNC. $8.50
COINS OF
WIKINGLAND
The Principality of Wikingland was founded in 1977 by Swedish resident
Reinhold Wendling, who called himself Prince Reinhold I. His
plan was to create a libertarian state on man-made islands in the North
Sea or Baltic Sea, by adding landfill to shallow sandbanks, raising
them above sea level. The capital, Vahalla, would be covered
by a giant Plexiglas dome in order to assure pleasant weather all year
around. The plan never got very far, probably due to its
enormous expense. However Wikingland did issue coins, stamps
and passports. The following coins of Wikingland date from
the 1980’s and 1990’s. They have a common obverse which has the
Prince’s title, a large “R1” for Reinhold I and the denomination: 10
Wiking Mark. All are 38.6mm in diameter, struck in
nickel-silver with an antique finish and have a reeded edge.
The 1993 issue depicts Thor’s hammer and is struck in
high relief. It has a mintage of only 300 pieces. The regular
1994 issues feature a stylized Yggdrasil and the 24 runes of the Elder
Futhark alphabet. In Norse mythology the Yggdrasil is the
Tree of Life that binds heaven, earth and hell together.
Elder Futhark is the oldest form of Runic. It was used
between about the 2nd and 8th Centuries. There are two
versions of the coin, one with the date Runic Year 2244 to the right of
the Yggdrasil. It has a mintage of just 250 pieces.
There is also an error version without the date. Only 44 pieces of the
error version were struck. The 1995 issue depicts the 28
runes of Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, which was the first alphabet of the
English language. It is dated Runic Year
2245. The 1996 issue depicts a stylized Viking ship
and the 16 runes of Younger Futhark, also called Danish Furthark or
Norse Furthark. It was use during most of the Viking period,
from about the 8th to 12th Centuries. With the
Christianization of Scandinavia it was gradually replaced by the Latin
alphabet. The coin is not dated. It has a mintage
of 250 pieces. It is a fascinating series coins for a new,
yet to be built Scandinavian society using elements from the old Viking
society.
Item
WIK-93 WIKINGLAND 10 WIKING MARK 1993 THOR’S
HAMMER
$55.00
Item
WIK-94 WIKINGLAND 10 WIKING MARK YEAR
2244 (1994) WITH DATE
$45.00
Item
WIK-94E WIKINGLAND 10 WIKING MARK (1994)
WITHOUT
DATE
$55.00
Item
WIK-95 WIKINGLAND 10 WIKING MARK 2245
(1995) ANGLO-SAXON FURHOC
$45.00
Item
WIK-96 WIKINGLAND 10 WIKING MARK (1996)
YOUNGER FUTHARK
$45.00
Item
WIK-SET SET OF ALL 5 OF THE ABOVE WIKINGLAND
COINS
$220.00
SCARCE
FANTASY COIN
OF HEJAZ
This
scarce fantasy silver Hejaz 10 Piastres or ½ Riyal was made to
appear to be an early coin of Hejaz. It is dated AH1334, Year
8 (1923) and bears the legends that was struck in Mecca (“Makka
al-Mukarrama”). In reality it was struck some years ago in
the United States. The coins is technically Uncirculated,
however was given an “antiqued” finish. The 27.8mm coin has a
reeded edge. It is a scarce coin and given the popularity of
Saudi Arabian related coins, is sure to be in demand.
Item
HEJAZ10P HEJAZ 10 PIASTRES Br.X2
ANTIQUED UNC.
$95.00
KING
CHARLES III ON COINS
FOR SCOTLAND
Though Prince Charles is not yet King, undated, multi-colored
unofficial pattern 2 Pound coin was issued for
Scotland. One side of the coins depicts
the outline of the
bust
of Charles wearing the royal crown. His royal cipher and the arms of
Scotland are in color. The other side depicts a Scottish
thistle and a Golden Eagle in color. The 40mm
coins are struck on silver plated brass with Proof finish.
Only 250 pieces were minted.
Item
SCOT2 SCOTLAND 2 POUNDS COIN (2016) PROOF $24.00
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A Russian Polikarpov I-15 bi-plane
fighter is featured on this unofficial 2023 dated 50 Markka coin of
Hanko (Hango). The plane was used between 1939 and 1944 in the two wars
between Finland and the Soviet Union. The Hanko peninsula is the
southernmost point of mainland Finland and is the home of the port and
city of Hanko. During the 19th and early 20th centuries while
Finland was under Russian control, Hanko was the port of choice for
emigrants leaving Finland for a new life in North America and a popular
resort of Russian nobility. After the 1939 Winter War between
Finland and the Soviet Union, Finland was forced to lease the peninsula
to Russia for 30 years as a naval base. Finland regained
control of the peninsula in 1941 during the second Soviet-Finnish
war. The obverse of the coin depicts the heraldic
Finnish lion. The Proof silver-plated brass coin
has a mintage of only 125 pieces.
The
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Naxcivan Respublikasi) is a landlock
exclave of Azerbaijan bordered by Armenia, Iran and Turkey.
Historically it was part of the Armenian homeland and had a large
Armenian population, however most Armenians fled or were massacred
during and after World War I. On January 20, 1990 Nakhchivan
became the first part of the Soviet Union to declare
independence. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
it became an autonomous part of Azerbaijan, with its own constitution,
legislature and is ruled by a corrupt, authoritarian
family. The emblem of Nakhchivan is obverse of this
unofficial 2023 50 Manat of Nakhchivan Republic. The reverse
features a bee with what is claimed to be the tomb of the biblical
prophet Noah. The Proof silver-plated brass coin has a
mintage of only 125 pieces.
Masirah is an island in the Arabian Sea
off the east coast of Oman. It has an airbase for the Royal Air Force
of Oman and a fish factory, and several small towns. During
the summer it is popular with kite surfers due to its strong, steady
winds. Much of the interior of the island is
desert. The obverse of this unofficial 2022 20 Rials coin of
Masirah depicts Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, and the Oman
coat of arms. The reverse features a scorpion, camel and a
palm tree. The 37mm Proof silver-plated brass coin has a
mintage of only 145 pieces.
Big
Major Cay, also known as Pig Island, is uninhabited by humans,
however it does have a population of about two dozen swimming pigs. It
is located in the Exuma district of the Bahamas. The pigs are
a popular tourist attraction. The feral domestic pigs are not
afraid of people. They love to take to water and lay in the
sun on the beach. The pigs are fed by tourists and from
passing yachts, and if the boat gets close enough to the shore, the
pigs can jump in on their own, begging for food. Drinking
water is provided by small lakes on the island. No one is
quite sure how the non-native pigs got there. Some claim they
were left by sailors who planned to later pick them up and eat them,
but never returned. Others say they survived a shipwreck, or
were brought to the island to attract tourists.
This odd-shaped 2023 20 Dollar coin of Big Major Cay has an unusual
design, the design on the front wraps over to the back. The
design includes the Bahamas coat of arms and two pigs, half of one of
the pigs is on the front of the coin with the other half is on the
back. The unofficial silver-plated Proof coin is 39mm and has
a mintage of just 125 pieces.
Tory
Island (Oilean Thoraigh in Irish) is a remote island off the
northern coast of Ireland inhabited by less than 150 people.
It is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long and 1 kilometer (.6 miles)
wide. The northern coast is
heavily indented by bays and bays, the coasts are rather steep and
steep. Tory is mentioned in a number of Irish legends. Today
it is noted for its rugged beauty and an artist colony. This
unofficial 2023 six-sided 10 Pound coin of Tory Island features a
Celtic Cross and an Irish Harp on the obverse. The reverse
depicts a raven on the handle of a sword. Morrigan, the goddess of war
in Irish mythology would often take the form of a raven.
Morrigan would not take part in the battles, but she would be present
on the battlefield and used all her power to help one side or
another. The 39mm silver-plated brass coin has a mintage of
only 125 pieces.
In
November 2022 San Bernardino County voted to secede from the State
of California. San Bernardino, often called the "Inland
Empire", is the largest county in California. Like many
regions of California, they were fed up with the liberal big city
politicians that control California. To mark the event the
Small Forest Mint issued a copper 66 Cent coin for Berdoo.
Berdoo is what locals call San Bernardino. The historic Route 66 runs
through the county, hence the denomination of 66 cents. The
denomination is within an arrowhead shaped like the Arrowhead
Geological Monument at Arrowhead Springs. The reverse depicts
the date and a Joshua Tree which is common in desert areas of the
county, which is home to Joshua Tree National Park. The
Highway Gothic font was used on old highway signs. The
hand-struck coins are Uncirculated but may have minor dark
areas. Mintage is limited to a maximum of 200 pieces or when
the dies wear out, whichever comes first.
The
Kingdom of Hawaii, a modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement, commemorated
the 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Surfing competition on this
ultra-low mintage sterling silver 25 Dala coin. It has a
mintage of only 46 pieces! As a lifeguard Eddie Aikau saved
over 500 lives, sometimes braving 30-foot waves. He died
trying to rescue his crewmates in an attempt to reenact a canoe voyage
from Hawaii to Polynesia. The surfing competition was started
in 1984 in his honor. It is held at Waimea Bay on the north
shore of Oahu, Hawaii, where Eddie was a lifeguard. Because
the competition is held only when ocean swells reach a minimum of 20
feet, (6.1m) it has been held just 10 times since its
inception. During the 2023 competition surfers
braved waves 30 to 50 feet (9.1 to 15.2m) in height. The coin
depicts an incused image of a Hawaiian Koa warrior on the obverse and a
surfer on the reverse. 
The
Hawaiian Kingdom is one of many Hawaiian sovereignty
movements. They contend that because the United States
illegally overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, the United States
occupation of Hawaii is illegal and Hawaii is still an independent
kingdom. The 2021 Hawaiian Kingdom 50 Dala coin features the
bust of a Hawaiian Koa warrior, denomination and date on one side and a
map of Hawaii on the other. Unlike most coins the design is
incuse rather than raised. The 30mm coin contains 1/2 troy
ounce of .999 silver and is approximately 2.5mm thick. The
coin is hand struck, so each coin is slightly different. It
has a total mintage of just 97 pieces.
Varkana, also called Hyrcania is a
territory along the southeastern coast of the Caspian
Sea. The name Varkana is derived from Persian for
"Country of Wolves". It was a province in the Midian,
Akhe-menid, Seleucid and Parthian empires. In 72AD became an
independent kingdom with nominal allegiance to Parthia. This
unofficial 2022 10,000 Rials of Varkana features a fierce ancient
warrior on the reverse. A heraldic wolf is on the
obverse. The39mm, six-sided, silver-plated brass
Proof coin has a mintage of only 120 pieces.
The
Skordiski were an Iron Age Celtic tribe who were centered at at the
confluence of the Savus (Sava), Dravus (Drava), Margus (Morava) and
Danube rivers in what is now Serbia. By the second half the of the 3rd
century BC they became the most important power in the northern
Balkans. They built fortresses at Singidunum (the modern city
of Belgrade) and Taurun (the modern Zemun). At their peak they
controlled portions of present-day Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and
Romania. From 141BC they were constantly at war against
Roman-held Macedonia. Roman sources report that they had the custom of
drinking blood from hollow skulls and that they sacrificed captives to
their deities. They were defeated by the Romans in 15BC. This
unofficial 2022 5000 Dinara of the State of Scordisk features a fierce
Skordiski warrior on one side and the Serbian coat-of-arms supported by
two angels on the other. The eight-sided, 40mm, silver-plated
brass Proof coin has a mintage of only 120 pieces.
Fiume
gained autonomy for the first time in 1719 when it was proclaimed a
free port of the Holy Roman Empire. The port city was later
transferred to the Kingdom of Hungary, but given a special separate
status. After World War I its status was disputed between Italy,
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia) and the Great
Powers (Great Britain, France and the United States). In 1919
it proclaimed itself the independent state of Italian Regency of
Carnaro (Reggenza Italiana del Carnaro) under a fascist government with
a plan unite with Italy. Under pressure of the Great Powers
Italy did not take control of the territory and it was proclaimed the
Free State of Fiume. Control of the city remained unstable,
with control passing between fascist, communists and nationalists until
1924 when the Treaty of Rome awarded the city to Italy.
Following World War II another attempt was made to set up an
independent free state, but instead it was incorporated into
Yugoslavia. Fiume is now the city of Rijeka in
Croatia. The obverse of the unofficial 2022 dated
200 Lire features the two-headed eagle symbol of the city, whose use
was forbidden by both the Italian and Yugoslavian
governments. The reverse features a statue of the Archangel
of Justice and the emblem of Regency of Carnaro depicting an
ouroboros. The 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of
just 130 pieces.
Brittany
is the northwest region of France. During the Middle Ages, Brittany was
a vassal duchy of France, while maintaining almost complete
independence. Control frequently passed between England and
France during their many wars. In 1963, the Brittany
Liberation Front was created, which began the struggle for the
independence of Brittany. The obverse of the unofficial 2022
dated Brittany 100 Franc coin features the previous arms of Brittany
surrounded by the arms of the bishoprics and regions of
Brittany: Leon, Tregor, Cornuay, the Vannes Rennes, Nantes, Dol,
Malouin and Penthievre. The reverse depicts a
knight on horseback with a dog and the Tanti tower. The 39mm
silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 150 pieces.
The
Ararat Republic was an independent Armenian state proclaimed May 28,
1918 during the Russian revolution and the collapse of the Ottoman
Empire. It included most of the Kars region, the city of Van
and Mount
Ararat. In 1920, following the Turkish-Armenian War
and the invasion
by the Red Army the territory was divided between U.S.S.R. and
Turkey.
Mount Ararat and the cities of Kars and Van, all of which are of great
historical and cultural importance to Armenians were given to
Turkey.
The obverse of this unofficial 2021 dated 500 Dram of the Ararat
Republic includes the nation’s coat of arms. The reverse
features the
Church of the Twelve Apostles in Kars as it appeared in the early 20th
century, with Mount Ararat in the
background. The church was built during the 10th century as an Armenian
Apostolic Cathedral, then abandoned after the Seljuks conquered Kars in
1065. It was converted to a mosque in 1579 after Kars became part of
the Ottoman Empire. The Russians conquered Kars in 1877 and
converted
it into a Russian Orthodox Church. The Turks captured Kars in
1918 and
converted it back into a mosque. The Ararat (Armenian)
Republic gained
control of the city in 1919 and made it into an Armenian
Church. The
following year Turkey took control of Kars, briefly operated it as a
mosque before selling it to the municipality of Kars which planned to
demolish it. Luckily that never happened. In the
1950’s the city used
it as a petroleum depot. From 1964 to 1978 it was
the site of the
Kars museum. In 1993 it was again converted into a
mosque called
Kumbet Mosque. The five-sided silver-plated Proof coin is
37mm and has
a mintage of 145 pieces.
The
Colossus of Rhodes is featured on this unofficial 2021 500 Drachma of
Rhodes. The Colossus was a statue of the Greek sun god Helios
that was erected in 280BC at the mouth of the harbor of
Rhodes. It was some 108 feet(33m) high, approximately the
height of the Statue of Liberty from head to feet. It was one
of the seven ancient wonders of the world. It collapsed
during an earthquake in 226BC. The broken statue remained in
place until the Arab conquest of Rhodes in 653AD, and it was sold for
scrap metal. Rhodes is an island off the
coast of Turkey. In 1309, the Knights Hospitaller took over
the island and made it their headquarters until it was conquered by
Suleyman the Magnificent in 1522 after a long siege. Italy
seized the territory in 1912 and in 1947 it was united with
Greece. The obverse of the eight-sided
silver-plated brass Proof coin features the Rhodes coat of
arms. The coin has a mintage of only 145 pieces.
Nueva
Sparta is an archipeligo of three islands; Margarita, Coche and
Cubagua; located off the coast of Venezuela. They
were discovered in 1498 during the third voyage of
Columbus. Rich pearl deposits were discovered on
Cubagua it was soon settled by Europeans that exploited the
pearls. By 1537,less than 40 years after the islands were
discovered the oyster population had been decimated, the pearl industry
collapsed and the island largely abandoned. most of the remaining
residents moved to Margarita. Even today Cubagua remains
largely uninhabited. The Spanish built a number of forts on
islands to protect against French and English navies and
pirates. In 1816 Simon Bolivar proclaimed the Third Republic
of Venezuelan and the Assembly of Notables recognized Bolivar as the
Supreme Chief in the Church of Santa Ana on Margarita. The
islands were given the name Nueva Esparta (New Sparta) because of the
heroism shown by the inhabitants resembled that of the Spartans of
classical Greece during Venezuela's war of independence. This
unofficial 2021 Nueva Sparta
500 Bolivars features the Nueva Sparta arms on the obverse.
The reverse features two flamingos and cattleya flowers along with the
denomination, date and the arms of Venezuela. The six-sided
silver-plated brass Proof coin has a mintage of just 145 pieces.
The
Savage Islands, also known as the Selvagens or Salvage Islands is
an uninhabited archipelago belonging to Portugal midway between Madeira
and the Canary Islands. Since 1971 it has been a nature
reserve. This unofficial 8-sided 2022 Savage Islands 200
Escudos depicts two Pink Terns and a Madeira Lizard on one side and the
coat of arms on the other. The 40mm Proof silver-plated brass
coins have a mintage of just 145 pieces.
Greater
Idaho is a secessionist movement in rural areas of Oregon, northeastern
California and southeastern Washington to become part of
Idaho. The conservative rural areas are unhappy about the
liberal policies and politics imposed on them by the more heavily
populated cities in their states. They feel their rural
culture and values would be respected and better preserved by becoming
part of Idaho. Thus far eight Oregon counties have voted in
favor of leaving Oregon and becoming part of Greater Idaho. Regardless
of the wishes of the people, it is unlikely to ever happen.
Recently Smallforest, a private mint in Oregon, hand struck sterling
silver coin for Greater Idaho. The 32mm coin is
struck in .925 fine silver is dated 2022 and is denominated as 25
Greater Taters. One side features the proposed map of
Greater Idaho inside the outline of a potato. The other side
depicts the Mister Potato head with the his nose forming the numerals
25. Total mintage is expected to be less than 300 pieces. 
A
movement to create California as an independent nation has been active
for some years. The movement is headed by a New Yorker living in
Russia. It appears most its funding is from Russia and social media
support from both Russia and Iran. The movement has
found little backing within the state, (though there are probably some
conservatives who would be happy to see California leave the
Union.) Recently a Russian coin dealer created two beautiful
coins for the California Republic. Both coins are denominated as 20
California Dollars and are dated 2020. They are 40mm
eight-sided, silver plated Proof coins. One depicts a Bobcat
and her kitten in Yosemite Valley. The other features Minerva
and sailing ships. The design is from the state
seal. The reverses of both coins depict a Grizzly Bear and
the words "CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC". The design comes from the California
State Flag. The Bear Flag Republic design is based on a flag
used in the 1846 revolt against Mexico. Each coin
has a mintage of only 160 pieces. 
In Greek mythology the Minotaur as a
creature that was part man, part bull. It was contained the
elaborate and confusing Labyrinth on Crete. The Minotaur is
featured on the reverse of this unofficial five-sided 500 Drachmai of
Crete. The obverse features the coat of arms of
Crete. The silver-plated Proof coin is 36mm and has a mintage
of just 160 pieces.
Dahlac is an archipelago of over 100
islands located in the Red Sea, only four of which are permanently
inhabited. It has a population of about 2500. In Roman times
it was
famous for its pearls. Even today it still has a small pearl diving
industry. Over the centuries it has been used as a prison and a major
conduit of trade and slaves between Africa and Arabia.
Recently it has
become a popular destination for yacht cruising and scuba
divers. It is
currently controlled by Eritrea. This unofficial six-sided
2020 50
Nafka coin of Dahlac depicts a Goliath Heron on the reverse.
The large
bird can reach up to 5 feet (152cm) and have a 7.5 foot (230cm)
wingspan. The emblem of Dahlac featuring a camel is on the
obverse.
The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces. 
Rotuma
is an island controlled by Fiji that is located some 400 miles (645km)
north of Fiji. It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which
have a
distinct language and culture from Fiji. In 1987 a
part-Rotuman man
named Henry Gibson proclaimed the independence of Rotuma and declared
himself king of the Republic of Rotuma. (I am not sure how
one can be
the king of a republic). The independence movement seems to
have died
out soon thereafter. In 2020 an unofficial coin was struck
for
Rotuma. The 39mm scalloped 50 Pa'atuna coin depicts a Rotuma
myzomela
bird (Myzomela chermesina). The other side depicts the arms
of Rotuma.
The Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
A
dramatic image of a Piegan Indian hunting
buffalo is featured on this unofficial Montana 20 Dollar
coin. The hunter wears a buffalo head dress in order to blend
in with the heard is shooting an arrow while holding another arrow in
his mouth. The traditional Piegan homelands were divided
between the United States and Canada. Those on the United States side
became part of the Blackfoot Nation and settled on the Blackfoot
reservation in Montana. Those on the Canadian side became
part of the Piikani Nation in Alberta. The odd-shaped 2020
dated coin features a star and the Montana coat of arms on the
obverse. The silver-plated Proof coin is 40mm x 30mm
and has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Saipan
is now part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands. In World War II it was the site of one of the
bloodiest and most strategic battles in the Pacific. Saipan
was Japanese territory and one of the last line of defenses before the
homeland. An estimated 29,000 Japanese soldiers and 20,000 civilians
died trying to defend the island. 3,426 Americans died and 10,364 were
wounded. The loss of Saipan was a major blow to Japan.
American B-29 bombers were now within striking range of mainland Japan
and the Philippines. The obverse unofficial 2019 Saipan 5
Dollar coin depicts the emblem of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana
Islands. The reverse features a Marine in front of a waving
American flag and the dates of the Battle of
Saipan. The 40mm eight-sided silver-plated Proof
coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces. 
Christopher
Columbus and one of his ships is depicted on this unofficial 2015 dated
1 Dollar coin from St. Croix. Columbus landed on the island
in November 1493 and was attacked by the native Caribs
(Kalinagos). Over the years ownership of the island passed
between Spain, the Netherlands, the Knights of Malta, Great Britain,
France and Denmark. Denmark sold it, along with St. Thomas
and St. John to the United States in 1916, during World War
I. Today it is part of the United States Virgin
Islands. The obverse of the coin features
a Bananaquit bird, the state bird of the U.S. Virgin Islands, perched
on the letters “SC”. Below is the original Spanish name for
the Virgin Islands. The 40mm Proof coin is struck
on silver plated brass and has a mintage of just 250 pieces.
Saint
John is the smallest of the three main United States Virgin
Islands. Approximately 60% is a National Park. This
unofficial 2015 1 Dollar coin of St. John depicts two native Island
Caribs on the reverse. In the 18th Century Denmark
established sugar plantations on the island and enslaved the Caribs to
work on the plantations. The native population was quickly
decimated by diseases. In 1917 Denmark sold the islands to
the United States. The obverse features a Bananaquit bird,
the state bird of the U.S. Virgin Islands, perched on the letters
“SJ”. Below is the original Spanish name for the Virgin
Islands: Islas Santa Ursla Y Once Mil Virgenes (Islands of St. Ursla
and Eleven Thousand Virgins). The 40mm Proof coin is struck on silver
plated brass and has a mintage of only 250 pieces.
In
1990 the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), also known as
Dashnaktsutyun, issued Memorial Rubles to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of its founding. At the time Armenia was
still under Soviet control and the ARF was in many ways serving as a
government in exile to the Armenian community. The ARF was
established in 1890 in Russia. The left-leaning political party
advocated a unified, independent Armenia and was instrumental in the
creation of the short-lived first Armenian Republic in 1918.
In 1920 the Soviets took over Armenia and exiled the leadership of the
ARF. The party became established in the Armenian Diaspora with
affiliates in more than 20 nations. The party holds seats in
the parliaments of Armenia, Nagarno-Karabakh
and Lebanon. The obverse of the coin depicts the ARF emblem
which features a sword, shovel, quill pen and an arm holding a
banner. The reverse shows the Sardarapat memorial bell tower
and Mount Ararat. At Saradarapt a rag-tag army of Armenians
defeated the Ottomans in 1918 and established the first Armenian
Republic. Precious metal versions of the Ruble were sold to
collectors to raise funds. 4000 nickel-silver versions of the
coin were also struck and distributed to party supporters in Soviet
controlled Armenia and the Diaspora community. We also have
available scarce gold plated Proof patterns of the coin. The
patterns feature either the obverse or reverse design of the coin, with
the word “pattern” in Russian on the other side. Only 25 of
each of the pattern coins were struck. We are
pleased to offer these scarce coins and patterns that are unknown to
most collectors.
This scarce unofficial bi-metallic 6000 Francs coin of Togo features a
topless Guin woman. The Guin are one of the major tribes in
Togo. The reverse features the head of an elephant and a map
of northern Africa. From the 16th to 18th Centuries Togo was
a major slave trading center, thus earning the name "Slave
Coast". It was claimed by Germany in 1884, transferred to
France after World War I, and became independent in 1960. The 2003
dated coin is 28mm in diameter, has a mintage of only 1,200 pieces and
a catalog value of $35.00
This
scarce fantasy silver Hejaz 10 Piastres or ½ Riyal was made to
appear to be an early coin of Hejaz. It is dated AH1334, Year
8 (1923) and bears the legends that was struck in Mecca (“Makka
al-Mukarrama”). In reality it was struck some years ago in
the United States. The coins is technically Uncirculated,
however was given an “antiqued” finish. The 27.8mm coin has a
reeded edge. It is a scarce coin and given the popularity of
Saudi Arabian related coins, is sure to be in demand.
Though Prince Charles is not yet King, undated, multi-colored
unofficial pattern 2 Pound coin was issued for
Scotland. One side of the coins depicts
the outline of the
bust
of Charles wearing the royal crown. His royal cipher and the arms of
Scotland are in color. The other side depicts a Scottish
thistle and a Golden Eagle in color. The 40mm
coins are struck on silver plated brass with Proof finish.
Only 250 pieces were minted.
