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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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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BRITISH EAST AFRICAN COIN FROM THE SHORT REIGN OF EDWARD VIII

Edward VIII reigned for less than a year in 1936, before he renounced the throne in order that he could marry Mrs. Wallace Simpson, an American divorcee.  This bronze 10 Cents from British East Africa is one of the few coins that were issued in the name of Edward VIII during his brief reign. One side of the 30mm coin shows four elephant tusks.  The other shows the imperial crown and the name of the monarch.  The coin has a center hole to make it easy for natives to carry it on a string and to make it easily distinguishable from other coins.  British East Africa is now the independent nations of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Somaliland.

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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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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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MENG CHIANG JAPANESE PUPPET BANK   

During the 1930's Japan conquered much of Northern China.  The Meng Chiang Bank was a puppet bank established by the Japanese to provide currency for the area between Mongolia and Manchukuo, known as Inner Mongolia.  In 1938 the Bank issued its only coin: a copper-nickel 5 Chiao. One side of the coin features a pair of stylized dragons and the denomination.   The other side has a floral design.

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TIN PITIS FROM THE SULTANATE OF PALEMBANG  

Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia.  It is located on the Musi river on the island of Sumatra.  The Sultanate of Palembang was established in the early 17th century by Javanese nobles fleeing from dynastic intrigues after the collapse of the Sultanate of Demak.  It soon became the one of the greatest agricultural and trade centers in the Malay area.  This undated tin Pitis was issued by the Sultanate of Palembang between 1710 and 1778.  The uniface coin has crude Malay-Arabic inscriptions around a center hole.

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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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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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OLD COIN OF PORTUGUESE INDIA

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first visited India in 1498. Portugal soon became the first European nation to establish colonies in India, and for many years enjoyed a profitable monopoly on European trade with India.  With the coming of the British and Dutch in the 17th century, Portuguese power declined.   From King Carlos we offer the bronze 1/8 Tanga  The king is on the obverse and the Portuguese arms on the reverse. The coin was struck only two years; 1901 and 1903 and the dates are in roman numerals.  

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THE END OF PORTUGUESE INDIA

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first visited India in 1498. Portugal was the first European nation to establish colonies in India, and for many years enjoyed a profitable monopoly on European trade with India.  With the coming of the British and Dutch in the 17th century, Portuguese power declined, until all that was left were three minor outposts..  In 1961 India forcibly annexed them.  The copper-nickel 60 Centavos 1n 1 Escudo were struck only two years: 1958 and 1959.   Both coins have similar designs, with the arms of Portugal on one side and the arms of Portuguese India on the other.  They are some of the last coins of Portuguese India.

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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 COIN FROM FAR OFF TIBET  

Tibet is a fabled and isolated country located high in the Himalayas that is now controlled by China. This copper 1 Sho coin was issued from 1918 to 1928.  It features a snow lion on one side and inscriptions on the other.   The Snow Lion is a mythological animal that represents cheerfulness and clarity of thought.

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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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ONLY COIN OF TONKIN 

Tonkin was a French protectorate, that later became part of North Vietnam.  Tonkin issued only a single coin, a zinc 1/600 Piastre, (1/6 cent) dated 1905.   The coin, commonly called a Sapeque, was intended to replace the widely used Annamese cash coins in circulation.  It was struck in the style of a cash coin: round with a square hole.  One side of the coin had Chinese legends, the other had French legends.  The coin proved to be unpopular with the Vietnamese and most never entered circulation. The coin is Uncirculated, however it will have some spots as is typical of zinc coins.

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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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SOUTH VIETNAM 1968 20 DONG FAO COIN

In 1968 South Vietnam issued this unusual 12-sided coin as part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) coin program.  One side depicts a female farmer with a sheaf of rice in a rice paddy.  The legend "CHIEN-DICH THE-GIOI CHONG NAN DOI" translates as "World campaign against hunger". The other side features the denomination.   It was the highest denomination released into circulatoin by South Vietnam before it fell to the communists in 1975.  The nickel-clad steel coin was struck at the Hamburg mint and has a mintage of 500,000 pieces.  It is an attractive coin from a fallen nation.

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FEDERAL PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA 

Following World War II, Yugoslavia changed its name to The Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia.  The communist nation, under the control of Josip Tito, steered an independent course from the Soviet Union.  It issued one series of coins before changing its name to the Socialist Federal Republic in 1963.  Starting in 1991 the country completely collapsed into the indepedent nations of Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The coins include the aluminum 50 Para, 1, 2 and 5 Dinars dated 1953 and the attractive aluminum-bronze 10, 20 and 50 Dinars dated 1955.  The coin features the emblem of Yugoslavia on the obverse of each coin.  All coins are Uncirculated.

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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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ALSO SEE:

RARE DUTCH INDIA DUIT DEPICTS KALI

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