DEAD NATIONS

COINS FROM NATIONS THAT NO LONGER EXIST

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COIN OF THE NAZI PUPPET STATE OF BOHEMIA & MORAVIA

Nazi Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938, splitting the country in three.  In one portion they created a puppet state called the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.  Coins were minted only from 1941 to 1944. The coins all feature the Bohemian Lion on the obverse.  The 1 Korun has the denomination and linden branches on the reverse.  The 20 Haleru has wheat ears, a sickle and the denomination on the reverse.  The coins were minted in the Lysa nad Labem Metal Furniture Factory. The coins are zinc, so may have some white spots.  It is an historic set from a nation that existed briefly during World War II.

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BRITISH EAST CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES 1/2 CENT

The British Caribbean Territories – Eastern Group was a short-lived monetary union that provided coins and currency for the British controlled territories of Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, British Guiana (now Guyana), British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Granada, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago.  One of its first coins was this 1955 1/2 Cent.  The 20.4mm bronze coins depicts Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and the denominations and date on the reverse. It has a mintage of 500,000.  

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SCARCE COIN OF DEMAK SULTANATE

The Demak Sultanate was founded about 1475 by Sultan Pangeran al Patah, also known as Raden Patah. He was of Javanese nobility and his mother may have been a Chinese princess who had been exiled from China.  His Sultanate was the first Muslim state in Java.  He quickly expanded his Sultanate to include most of the northern coast of Java and southern Sumatra.  This was an important step in bringing Islam to what is now Indonesia. The Sultan ruled until his death in 1518.  The Sultanate lasted about another 30 years, until it collapsed in a dynastic feud. The Sultanate prospered through trade in spices, rice and its control over Javanese trading ports.   This Pitis of Sultan Pangeran al Patah is one of the few affordable coins of the Demak Sultanate.  The uniface tin coin is approximately 19mm to 20mm in diameter and grades Very Fine.

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FIRST BANKNOTES OF EAST GERMANY

On June 20, 1948 the Nazi era Reichsmark and Rentenmark were abolished and a new currency introduced in the Western occupied zones of Germany.  The Soviets rook the currency reform as a threat.  In retaliation, on June 24 the Soviets cut off all access from the western zones into Berlin, thus starting the Berlin Blockade.  The Western Allies responding with the Berlin Airlift.  For eleven months all the supplies needed in West Berlin were transported by airplane into the city.  Though the Soviets claimed to be surprised by the currency reform, they were prepared as banknotes for East Germany had already been printed in Moscow.  The new notes were introduced on July 24, 1948.  The new notes had simple designs featuring the denomination, engraved borders and were printed on watermarked paper. Officially East Germany Marks were exchangeable on par with the West German Marks. In reality they were not exchangeable for any currency and traded on the black market at a large discount. The 1948 50 Pfennig note is 100 x 65mm. It was later replaced by a 50 Pfennig coin.  The 1948 50 Mark note is 171 x 87mm.

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FIRST COINS OF EAST GERMANY

East Germany issued its first coins in 1948 while it was still under the occupation of the Soviet Army. The coins consisted of the aluminum 1, 5 and 10 Pfennig. The coins featured an ear of grain and a cogwheel, which symbolized a communist "Workers' and Farmers' state". The denomination was on the other side.  In 1952 a new series of aluminum 1, 5 and 10 Pfennig coins was introduced. The obverse showing the denomination was basically unchanged, however the new reverse designs featured a compass, hammer and two ears of grain. The compass represented the intelligentsia, who were supposed to be leading the workers (hammer) and farmers (grain).  Most of the workers and farmers that I know do not like the idea of being led by a bunch of  intelligentsia who have little idea of what life is like in "the real world".  Perhaps that is a clue as to why so many wanted to escape from East Germany and why it later collapsed.  The new designs were issued only two years: 1952 and 1953. After the reunification of Germany, the East German coins were withdrawn from circulation and melted.

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EAST GERMAN 5 MARK COMMEMORATIVES

East Germany issued an annual series of popular and well struck non-circulating copper-nickel 5 Mark commemorative coins honoring famous Germans and their achievements. The 29mm coin feature the emblem of the German Democratic Republic on the obverse.  The denomination is repeated on the lettered edges of the coins.  The 125th anniversary of the birth of Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen commemorated this 1970 issue which depicts his X-ray tube.  He was awarded the inaugural Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery of X-rays.  The 1971 issue marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of Johannes Kepler.  The design reflects Kepler's theories regarding heliocentric planetary motions. The 75th anniversary of the death of composer Johannes Brahms is the theme of the 1972 issue.  The design features musical notes.  The 100th anniversary of the death of physicist Philipp Reis is honored on the 1974 issue.  Reis invented a telephone in 1861, pre-dating Alexander Graham Bell's telephone by more than a decade.  However, Reis's telephone was delicate, tricky and produced inconsistent results.  An image of his telephone apparatus appears on the coin.  The 200th Anniversary of the birth of military officer Ferdinand von Schill is commemorated on the 1976 issue.  In 1809 he led an unsuccessful revolt to liberate the portions of Germany that were controlled by Napoleon.  The coin features his sword and military hat.   The 125th anniversary of the death of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the father of German gymnastics, is on the 1977 issue.  His portrait appears on the coin.

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SCARCE, FINAL BANKNOTES OF EAST GERMAN NOTES  

These scarce 200 and 500 Mark East German notes are rarely seen in any collections. They are the highest denominations ever printed by East Germany and were some of the last banknotes ever printed by East Germany. The notes were dated 1985, however the East German government collapsed before the notes were released into circulation. After the collapse of East Germany the notes were put into storage in old Nazi bunkers. A very limited number of notes were "liberated" from a bunker by teenagers who found a hidden entrance to the bunker, before the German government destroyed all of the remaining notes. The front of 200 Mark note features a family standing in front of a government apartment complex. The back pictures a group of young school children and their teacher.  The 500 Mark pictures the East German Arms and the Staatsrat building in Berlin. 

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SCARCE SILVER COIN OF THE KATHIRI STATE OF SEIYUN AND TARIM

The Kathiri Sultans controlled the towns of Seiyun and Tarim in what is now Yemen. After losing much of their territory to rival tribes they agreed to become a British Protectorate. Seiyun was the capital, and Tarim is a major center of Islamic learning.  In 1897 they had this silver 12 Khumsi coins struck at the Heaton Mint for their territory.  The coin is all in Arabic, except for the Heaton mintmark and are dated AH1315.   12 Khumsi was equivalent to 1/10 Riyal. The coin is 18mm in diameter. It is a rarely seen coin from a now forgotten nation.

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KATANGA COIN FEATURES TRADITIONAL FORM OF WEALTH  

A bloody civil war broke out in the Belgian Congo upon it gaining independence from Belgium in 1960.  Katanga, a mineral rich province in the south, declared itself independent from the rest of the Congo. Various factions were supported by the United States and the Soviet Union, while the United Nations tried to negotiate a truce.  This Uncirculated 1961 1 Franc 1961 was issued only a single year.  Shortly thereafter Katanga was forcibly reunited with the Congo.  The coin displays the country's traditional form of money, the Katanga Cross, on one side of the coins. A bunch of bananas is shown on the other.

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UNUSUAL FIBER COINS FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA

Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state carved out of Northeastern China prior to World War II. Due to a severe metal shortage towards the end of the war, it issued these unusual 1 Fen and 5 Fen coins struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coins are dated in the year of the reign of Emperor Kang Te of Manchukuo. Kang Te was formerly known as Pu Yi, who was the last Emperor of China until he was deposed in 1911. The Japanese used him as the figurehead leader for Manchukuo. The 1 Fen struck only a single year; 1945. The 5 Fen was struck in 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relatively soft, the coins show considerable wear. These historic World War II coins are some of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.

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WORLD WAR II SILVER DIME FROM NEWFOUNDLAND 

These silver 10 cents were struck for Newfoundland during World War II. At the time Newfoundland was in a state of political and economic turmoil.  It was without a functioning parliament.   The Newfoundland 10 Cents features King George VI on the obverse.  The denomination, date and name of the nation are on the reverse.  The until 1945 the coins were struck in .925 (sterling) silver.  T

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UNCIRCULATED 1927 PALESTINE COINS

This set includes the first coins issued by the British Mandate of Palestine in Uncirculated condition.  Great Britain gained control of Palestine from the Ottoman Empire after World War I.  It issued its first coins for Palestine in 1927, including these 1 and 2 Mils coins. Both coins are bronze and have similar designs.  In order to satisfy the Jews and Arabs in the territory, as well as their British rulers, the coins have their legends in three different languages, Arabic, English and Hebrew and the date in both the AD and AH calendar.  An olive branch, representing peace, is on the reverses of both coins.  In 1948 the Mandate was dissolved with most of the territory going to the newly declared State of Israel.  The 1 Mil is 21mm and the 2 Mils is 28mm.  Both coins still retain most of their original bright mint luster.

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TRI-LINGUAL COIN OF BRITISH PALESTINE

Great Britain gained control of Palestine from the Ottoman Empire after World War I.  It did not issue issue its first coins for Palestine until 1927.   In order to satisfy the Jews and Arabs in the territory, as well as their British rulers, the bronze 1 Mil coins have their legends in three different languages, Arabic, English and Hebrew and the date in both the AD and AH calendar.  An olive branch, representing peace, is on the reverse.  In 1948 the British Mandate of Palestine was dissolved and most of the territory became the newly declared State of Israel.  Britain only sporadically minted the 1 Mil coin for Palestine: 1927, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940 (rare), 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946 and 1947 (very rare - all but 5 melted).  We are pleased to offer the 1939 1 Mil, minted the year World War II started in Europe and Palestine was being flooded with Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust in Europe.  We also offer a set of nine different dates of Palestine 1 Mils: 1927, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 & 1946,  no 1940 or 1947. 

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PORTUGUESE GUINEA CELEBRATES ITS DISCOVERY

In 1946 Portuguese Guinea, now Guinea-Bissau, issued this bronze 1 Escudo commemorating the 500th anniversary its "discovery" in 1446 by Portuguese slave trader Nuno Tristao. It was the first and one of the only commemorative coins for any of Portugal's many colonies.  The coin features the arms of Portuguese Guinea.  The reverse had the denomination and dates 1446-1946. Until the mid-19th century slave trading was the primary business of Portuguese Guinea. . The local African rulers sold slaves to the Portuguese who had two outposts on the coasst.  The Portuguese would then ship them to Brazil. Portugal granted Guinea-Bissau independence in 1974.  The coin is Uncirculated, though may have some minor toning or tiny spots. 

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KISSING GIRAFFES AND DANCING ELEPHANTS FROM RHODESIA & NYASALAND

Great Britain issued a joint coinage for their African colonies of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which are now the independent countries of Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe.   The 1958  Rhodesian and Nysaland bronze Half Penny depicts a pair of giraffes which appear to be kissing.  The bronze 1962 penny a pair of elephants that appear to be dancing!  Both coins are made with a center hole.   The reverses have the name of the colonies, denomination and date.

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UNCIRCULATED 1/2 CENT OF THE WHITE RAJAH OF SARAWAK

Sarawak was a privately-owned nation ruled by the Brooke family. The Sultan of Brunei awarded it to the English adventurer James Brooke in 1841 for his help in putting down a rebellion, thus he became the first "White Rajah" of Sarawak. The throne eventually passed down to his grand-nephew Charles Vynar Brooke in 1917.  In 1933 he issued this bronze 1/2 Cent.  The coin was stuck only a single year.  The 18mm coin depicts his head on the obverse and the denomination on the reverse. The coin was struck at the Heaton mint in England and has a mintage of 2 Million pieces.  Due to the heavy destruction suffered during World War II, Charles ceded the country to Great Britain in 1946. It is now part of Malaysia.  This is a scarce, high-grade coin issued by an English family that controlled an entire Asian nation.

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OLD COINS FROM TIBET

Tibet is a fabled and isolated country located high in the Himalayas that is now controlled by China.  Tibet introduced the copper 1 Sho in 1918.  The 24mm coin depicts a Snow Lion on the obverse and inscriptions on the reverse.  The Snow Lion is a mythological animal that represents cheerfulness and clarity of thought.  Two major versions (and many minor varieties) were issued.  The first was issued from 1918 to 1928.  The second, which includes the sun over the Snow Lion and a redesigned reverse was issued from 1932 to 1938.

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SUN AND MOON TIBETAN COINS

These copper 5 Sho coins were some of the last coins minted by Tibet before they were invaded by China.  The coin features a Snow Lion standing in front of the mountains on one side and inscriptions on the other.   The coin comes in two major varieties.  The first, dating 1947 to 1949 features two suns, one on either side of the tallest mountain.  The second, dating 1950 to 1953 shows a moon and the sun next to the mountain.  Both are a reminder of this fabled and isolated nation located high in the Himalayas.

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SILVER DENAR OF TRANSYLVANIA

This silver Dener of Transylvania was struck for Gabriel Bethlen. Bethlen became the Prince Transylvania in 1613 with support from the Ottoman Empire.  His reign marked the start of a golden age for Transylvania.  He developed mines and industry, founded a college and supported the arts. He nationalized much of the foreign trade, profits of which helped support his many programs.  He was Calvinist, and waged three wars against the Catholic Hapsburgs.  In 1620 he was elected King of Hungary.  After a string of military defeats by Hapsburg forces, he renounced the title in 1621 in return for guarantees of religious freedom for Hungarian Protestants..  The obverse depicts the Madonna and Child.   The reverse has the arms of Hungary.  The slightly irregular coin is approximately 13mm.  The coins dated 1620 or 1621 were struck at  struck at the Kremnica Mint (KB) and show virtually no wear. 

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SCARCE VIET-MINH COINS 

As World War II drew to a close, Japanese, Chinese, French and Vietnamese forces all battled for control of Vietnam.  These coins were issued by the Viet-Minh under Ho Chih Minh in 1946. The coins circulated only briefly before being withdrawn in 1948. The large (33mm) aluminum 1 Dong features a portrait of Ho Chih Minh on the obverse. A rice stalk tied with a ribbon and the denomination is on the reverse. The aluminum 5 Hao coin shows a ceremonial urn on one side and the denomination incused in a five-pointed star on the other. Because the coins were struck under primitive conditions using scrap metal and makeshift equipment the coins tends to be crudely struck with weak areas in the design and minor spots or corrosion.

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LAST COIN OF SOUTH VIETNAM

This 1974 10 Dong coin was the last circulating coin issued by South Vietnam before it fell on April 30, 1975.  The 24mm brass-plated steel coin was issued as part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's (F.A.O.) Coin program.  The program created awareness of the F.A.O., encouraged people to work towards eliminating food insecurity and raise funds for F.A.O. and related programs.  The reverse of the coin features two farmers in a rice paddy with an inscription which translates "Increase in food production of agricultural products".  The obverse features the denomination. 

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LOBSTER ON COIN OF SHORT-LIVED PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF YEMEN 

The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as S out h Yemen or Democratic Yemen, gained independence from Great Britain after the withdrawal of the British and the collapse of the Federation of S out h Arabia in 1967. Over the years its relations with the Yemen Arab Republic, or North Yemen fluctuated between war and peace.  The two nations fought a war in 1972, but were peacefully united in 1990 after Democratic Yemen lost support from communist nations due to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Peace was not lasting however, a civil war between factions from the north and s out h broke out again in 1994.  Peace was temporarily achieved with an election in 1999, however the country continued to suffer from instability as various tribal factions. Since 2012 Yemen has been engaged in another ongoing civil war, with factions in the S out h supported by Saudi Arabia and factions in the north supported by Iran.  This 23mm aluminum 5 Fils coin of Democratic Yemen features a spiny Lobster.  The coins is dated in Arabic numerals 1973AD and AH1373. 

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COINS FROM YUGOSLAVIA'S HYPER-INFLATION

In the 1990's Yugoslavia underwent a complete collapse as the country broke into five separate nations and inflation soared. Prices sometimes more than doubled within a day!  To keep up with inflation Yugoslavia had to keep introducing new coins and currency.  In early 1993 more new coins and currency were introduced, with 1 new Dinara equal to 1 Million 1992 Dinara.  The new coins featured the national emblem on one side and the denomination on the other. 1, 2, 50, 10, 50 and 100 Dinara coins were issued, however they circulated only briefly. Due to raging inflation they were soon virtually worthless. 

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