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RECENT WORLD COIN & CURRENCY ISSUES

2019 INFLATION NOTES OF VENEZUELA

Venezuela released three new high denomination notes in June 2019.  The notes were badly needed as the existing notes were virtually worthless due to rampant inflation and payment by cards and electronic transfer was often difficult due to frequent blackouts.  The three notes released were the 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 Bolivares Soberano. The situation is so bad in Venezuela that banks rationed notes to only a few per day per customer due to a shortage of banknotes. All three notes have the same design, with the front in a vertical format picturing Simon Bolivar, and the back in a horizontal format featuring Simon Bolivar Mausoleum in Caracas. The notes have a watermark depicting Simon Bolivar and measure 159 x 69mm.  

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INDIA HONORS TWO UNIVERSITIES

India recently released two commemorative coins honoring the 100th anniversary of two of their prestigious universities which were both founded in 1916.  The University of Mysore is commemorated on a 5 Rupees.  The coin depicts Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore who founded the university.  Behind him is Crawford Hall where the Vice-Chancellor's office is located.  A bimetallic 10 Rupee coin was issued for Banaras Hindu University.  The coin depicts the university's emblem and the university's entrance arch.  The reverses of both coins feature the lion capital of Ashoka Pillar and the denomination.

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CROATIA CELEBRATES ZAGREB UNIVERSITY WITH MULTI-SIDED BI-METALLIC

Croatia commemorated the 350th anniversary of the founding of the University of Zagreb with this 2019 12-sided bimetallic 25 Kuna coin.  The University was founded in 1669 by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I.  It was initially called the Jesuit Academy of the Royal Free City of Zagreb.  Today the University has an academic staff of almost 8000 serving over 72,000 students. The obverse features the Rectorate and the Faculty of Law of building as it appears on the University's emblem.  Below are the dates "1669-2019" and the arms of the City of Zagreb.  The coin has the standard 25 Kuna reverse which features the numeral "25", a marten, the Croatian arms, an oak branch and a laurel branch. The word Kuna is derived from an old Croatian word for a marten pelt, which was widely used as trade in Croatia during medieval times.

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PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA CELEBRATES 70th ANNIVERSARY

The People's Republic of China issued this 2019 bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to commemorate its 70th anniversary.  One side features a large "70" with the national emblem and the dates "1949 - 2019" within the "0". The other side depicts the national emblem within a garland of flowers.

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FRENCH AND GERMAN 2 EUROS CELEBRATES THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL

France and Germany both commemorated the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall with 2019 2 Euro coins with similar designs.   The opening of the Berlin wall in November 1989 led to collapse of East Germany the reunification of the nation.  The design, created by a French engraver, represents joyous people and doves passing through an opening in the Berlin Wall.  In the background in the Brandenburg Gate. In the German version he "graffiti" on the wall reads "30 JAHRE MAUERFAL"  (30 years fall of the Berlin Wall).  At the bottom right is a "D" for Deutschland (Germany)  The French version has the inscription on the wall in both French and German ("30 ANS DE LA CHUTE DU MUR DE BERLIN – 30 JAHRE MAUERFALL")  and "RF" for République Française at the bottom right.  The French coins were struck at the Paris Mint.  The German coins were struck at all five German mints (A=Berlin, D=Munich, F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg). The mintmark is at the bottom left of the design. It is small and hard to see.  All the coins have the standard 2 Euro reverse featuring a map of Europe.

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ODD SHAPED COIN FROM PALMERSTON ISLAND

Palmerston Island is a coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean that is part of the Cook Islands.  It is the only one of Cook Islands that was actually visited by Captain James Cook, who landed there in 1774. William Marsters, a ship's carpenter, arrived there in 1863, after deserting his wife and children in England.  He planted thousands of coconut trees, took on three Polynesian wives and sired 23 children. In 1892 after a long legal battle, the British government granted Marsters a lease on the island.  Masrters died of malnutrition in 1899 after a failure of the coconut crops.  Today all 60 or so inhabitants of the island, except for two teachers and a nurse, are descendants of William Marsters.  A thousand or so of his other descendants live in other parts of the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia.  The islands are visited by supply ships approximately once or twice a year. This unofficial 2019 dated 50 Tala coin of Palmerston Island depicts Neptune riding a shark on the obverse.  A woman and her daughter standing on the beach looking out to a boat and the moon are on the reverse.  The odd-shaped silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces. It is an unusual coin, from a remote atoll, with an unusual history.

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FIERCE WARRIOR ON LOUISIADE ARCHIPELAGO COIN

The Louisiade Archipelago is a string of approximately 100 islands and coral reefs stretching some 100 miles (160km) off the south-east tip of Papau-New Guinea. It has a population of approximately 47,000 and is administered by Papau-New Guinea.  It was occupied by the Japanese in 1942 and is near site of the Battle of Coral Sea.  This unofficial 2019 dated 200 Kina coin of Louisaide Archipelago has the Bird of Paradise emblem of Papau-New Guinea on the obverse.  The reverse depicts a native holding a spear.  The six-sided 38mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.

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TRIANGULAR COIN OF BARDSEY ISLAND

Bardsey Island is located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) off the tip of the Llyn Peninsula of Wales.  It is one of the legendary burial places of  King Arthur and Merlin.  From the sixth century it was an important pilgrimage site. Bards called it "the land of indulgences, absolution and pardon, the road to Heaven, and the gate to Paradise".  The monastery was dissolved and most of the building destroyed during the reign of Henry VIII.  Today a lone Celtic Cross among the ruins commemorates the 20,000 saints reputed to be buried on the island.  The obverse of this unofficial 2019 dated 5 Pound coin depicts the cross and a pair of heraldic lions.  The reverse depicts the a hand rising from the lake holding the sword Excalibur.  The silver plated triangular coin is 35mm on each side. It has a mintage of only 160 pieces.

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SIX-SIDED COIN OF METOHIJA

Metohija is the southwestern portion of Kosovo.  It is sometimes referred to as Dukagjini.  For centuries the area was controlled by the Dukagjini clan.  Its founder is said to have been a Norman noble left behind during the Crusades who decided to settle in the region.  The reverse of this unofficial 2019l Metohija 200 Leke coin depicts Lekë Dukagjini holding the Kanun. Lekë Dukagjini ruled the region from 1438 to 1479.  He is credited with codifying the customary laws of the Albanian highlands into the Law of Lek Dukagjini, which is called the Kanun. The Kanun was used into the 20th century and was revived after the fall of communism.  The obverse features a castle tower superimposed on an Albanian Eagle. The six-sided 38mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.

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CAPE VERDE CELEBRATES 200 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES

Cape Verde issued this circulating bi-metallic commemorative 200 Escudos coin to honor 200 years of friendship with the United States.  The obverse of the 28mm coin depicts the flags of the European Union and the United States and the legend  "200 YEARS OF HISTORIC TIES AND FRIENDSHIP".  The legend on the reverse "200 ANOS DE LAÇOS HISTÓRICOS E DE AMIZADE" which means the same thing in Portuguese.  Also on the reverse is a small map of the United States superimposed to on a map of the Cape Verde Islands and the dates "1818-2018".  In the late 18th and 19th century thousands of Cape Verde residents immigrated to the United States to escape the droughts, volcanoes and neglect by the Portuguese government which controlled the islands at that time. Cape Verdean men, noted for being "hardworking, honest seamen" were frequently hired by New England whaling captains.  Many thousands many eventually made their homes in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island and elsewhere in New England where large Cape Verdean communities still exist today.  The coin is Uncirculated, but has tiny bag marks from being shipped loose in bank bags.

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CAPE VERDE COMMEMORATES FIRST AFRICAN BEACH GAMES

The First African Beach Games is commemorated on this Cape Verde 2019 copper-nickel 200 Escudos.  The games were held June 14 to 23, 2019 on the island of Sal in Cape Verde.   Some 1000 athletes from 54 countries competed in eleven event categories: 3 on 3 basketball, beach handball, beach soccer, beach tennis, beach volleyball, coastal rowing, freestyle football, karate kata, kiteboarding, open water swimming and track and field events.  The obverse of the 28mm coin depicts a swimmer.  The reverse includes the logo of the games featuring athletes forming the shape of the African continent, and emblems of seven of the sports played at the games.

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2019 SILVER 5 DOUGIES OF THE CASCADIA REPUBLIC

This ultra-low mintage hand-struck silver coin was recently released by the Smallforest Mint in Oregon for the Cascadia Republic. It has a maximum mintage of only 50 pieces. The Cascadia Republic claims the bioregion of the Pacific Northwest incorporating all of or parts of southern Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California.  One side of the 26mm sterling silver coin depicts a Douglas Fir tree.  Thecoin is denominated as 5 Dougies, Dougie is nickname for the tree.  The other side has the legend "CASCADIA SILVER 2019".  The coin is Uncirculated but is crudely struick.

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COINS OF CASCADIA

The Cascadia independence movement encompasses the bioregion of the Pacific Northwest.  It incorporates all of or parts of southern Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California.  The region has long had independence movements, going back to some of the earliest European settlers in the early 19th century.  Recently Smallforest, a private mint in Oregon, struck two small undated silver coins for Cascadia.  The undated coins follow the designs and format of the firms' previous Higley silver medalettes.  Both coins feature a deer on the obverse and the legend "CASCADIA".  The reverse of the 1 Tomahawk Doe pictures 1 tomahawk, is struck in sterling silver, has 1 gram of actual silver weight, has the legend "I AM GOOD SILVER" on the reverse and has a reeded edge.  The 2 Tomahawk Buck contains 1 Pennyweight of silver, portrays 2 tomahawks on the reverse, has the legend "I CUT TO VALUE" and a plain edge.  The coins were overstruck on Franklin Mint medalettes and some ghosting from the original design may be noticeable.  Though the coins are Uncirculated, they tend to be somewhat toned.

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ROMANIA 2019 50 BANI KING FERDINAND & UNION WITH TRANSYLVANIA

King Ferdinand I and the 100th anniversary of the unification with Transylvania is commemorated on this 2019 issue.  The one side depicts the bust of the Ferdinand the other portrays the King and Queen Mary's first visit to Transylvania in May 1919.  Though Ferdinand was German, he sided against Germany and Austria-Hungary in World War I.  As a reward being on the winning side Romania was granted Transylvania and other territory following the war.  The 23.75mm coin is struck in a gold-colored nickel-brass alloy and has a lettered edge.

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GERMAN 2018 POLYMER RING 5 EURO COIN

This unusual 2018 German 5 Euros coin has a copper nickel outer ring and center, separated by an orange polymer plastic ring. The polymer ring is supposed to make the coins almost counterfeit proof.  The coin honors the subtropical climate zone.  It depicts herd of goats under the shade of a tree and a barren landscape. The obverse includes the German eagle, denomination and date.  The coin is part of an annual series featuring the climate zones of the earth.  It was minted at the Munich (D) mint, which holds the patent on the innovative polymer ring technology.

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HORNBILL BIRD ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF BAKASSI 500 FRANCS

Bakassi is a peninsula in the Gulf of Guinea on the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. For many years the two countries disputed ownership of the peninsula and nearly want to war at least twice. In 2002 the International Court of Justice determined it should belong to Cameroon rather than Nigeria and in 2006 Nigeria agreed to hand the territory to Cameroon.   Residents opposed being forced to join Cameroon formed the Democratic Republic of Bakassi and declared independence that same year.  This unofficial 2019 500 Francs of the Democratic Republic of Bakassi features the national emblem depicting a lion on one side and an African pied hornbill bird (Tockus fasciatus) on the other.  The female of the species lays eggs in a tree hole, which then blocked off except for a narrow aperture which is just big enough for the male to deliver food to the mother and the chicks.  The six-sided 38mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces. 

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GIRAFFES ON ODD SHAPED COIN OF THE KHATUMO STATE OF SOMALIA

The Khatumo (Khaatumo) State of Somalia declared itself autonomous in 2012.  Its territory is also claimed by Somalia, Somaliland and the autonomous region of Puntland.  In 2016 peace talks with Somaliland resulted in a split between the President and Vice President of Khatumo, resulting in two separate administrations, both claiming to be the legitimate government of Khatumo.  This odd-shaped 1000 Shilin of Khatumo depicts two giraffes on one side and a horse on the other.  The unofficial 2019 silver-plated Proof coin is 49mm in length  It has a mintage of only 160 pieces.

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CUTTY SARK ON BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY COIN

The Cutty Sark was one of the last and fastest British Tea Clipper Ships ever built.  She was launched 1869, the same year the Suez Canal was opened.  The China - London Tea trade was intensively competitive.  The first ship to arrive received numerous accolades and a premium for her tea.  It was a long journey lasting over 100 days, crossing the Indian Ocean and rounding the Cape of Good Hope before returning to England.   Though steam ships had much higher fuel costs, they proved more reliable, had lower insurance costs, and had a substantially shorter journey by using the Suez Canal, which was not suitable for sailing ships. The Cutty Sark sailed just eight tea trips from China before being moved to the Australia wool trade, then to other cargos. In 1892 she was sold to a Portuguese firm. 1922 she was the last clipper ship operating in the world, though by then her condition had deteriorated.  She was spotted by a retired British sea captain who purchased her in order to preserve the historic ship.  Her rigging was restored to and the she was used as a training vessel until about 1950.  In 1954 she was transferred to a permanent dry dock and is now a popular museum ship. This 2 Pound coin of the British Indian Ocean Territories commemorates the 150th anniversary of the building of the Cutty Sark.  It depicts the ship in full sail and the route she took from China to England as she traveled near the British Indian Ocean Territory.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse of the 38.6mm copper-nickel coin.  The coin has a mintage of just 10,000 pieces. It is a magnificent coin featuring a magnificent sailing ship that was the ultimate example of what was by then an obsolete technology.

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BEAUTIFUL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS UNA AND THE LION DOLLARS

Una and the Lion is one of the most beautiful, popular and expensive of all British coins.  The gold 5 Pound coin was struck for the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1839. One recently sold for $188,667.  The design, created by sculptor William Wyon, was based on Edmund Spenser’s poem Faerie Queene which tells the tale of Princess Una after St. George had slayed the dragon and rescued her. During the course of her travels, Una met a lion who was so mesmerized by her beauty he became her companion and protector.  On the coin Una was modeled after 19-year old Queen Victoria.  The Lion is a traditional symbol of Britain. Thus the design is an analogy for Victoria leading Britain.  The legend ‘DIEU ET MON DROIT’ meaning ‘God on my Right’ is the motto of the British monarchy.  The British Virgin Islands recreated this beautiful design, initially on a silver dollar, and now on a copper-nickel dollar to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria.  The obverse features Queen Elizabeth, the great, great granddaughter of Queen Victoria.  Both are 38.6mm and denominated 1 Dollar.  The silver version has a frosted Brilliant Uncirculated finish and contains 1 troy once of .999 fine silver and a mintage of 50,000 pieces..   The copper nickel version has a mintage of just 10,000 pieces.  They are attractive coins at affordable prices.

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ROMANIA 2019 PAPAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE

Romania issued this commemorative 2019 50 Bani coin to commemorate Pope Francis's historic visit to this primarily Orthodox nation from May 31 to June 2, 2019.  One side of the coin depicts images of the churches where celebrations were held and names of the cities in which they are located: St. Joseph’s Cathedral  in  Bucharest, Marian Shrine in Sumuleu-Ciuc, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Blaj and, Our Lady Queen of Iasi Cathedral in Iasi.  The Pope, his Papal Arms and the dates of the visit are on the other side.  The 23.75mm nickel-brass coin has a lettered edge. It has a mintage of 1 million pieces.

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SLOVENIA CELEBRATES UNIFICATION

Slovenia's 2019 3 Euro coin celebrates the Centenary of Prekmurje region rejoining its homeland.  Though largely ethnically Slovenian, the region was part of Hungary for some eight hundred years.  In 1919, following World War I, the region was united with the rest of Slovenia as part of what was to become Yugoslavia.  Slovenia achieved full independence in 1991.  August 17, the date of the official unification is celebrated as a national holiday in Slovenia.  The 32mm bi-metallic coin has a mintage of just 50,000 pieces.  Slovenia's 3 Euro coins are circulating legal tender issues; however, they are rarely actually encountered in circulation.

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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.

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INDEPENDENT STATE OF ALASKA COIN FEATURES BEAR & MOOSE

The obverse of this unofficial 2019 5 Dollar coin of the Independent State of Alaska features a bear and the constellation Ursa Major (large bear,  also known as the Big Dipper) from the Alaskan Flag.  The reverse features a moose and a map of Alaska.  Though Alaska has long had an independence movement, it has not gained a widespread following. The six-sided silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.

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JAN MAYEN COIN FEATURES ARTIC FOX AND POLAR BEAR

Jan Mayen is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic belonging to Norway. After Germany invaded Norway in 1940, the four Norwegian inhabitants of the island sent weather reports to London. An attempt to send reinforcements to the island failed when the ship ran aground.  The ship-wrecked crew and the four Norwegians were rescued by the British and the island was temporarily abandoned.  The Germans then attempted to land on the island and set up a weather station, but their ship crashed on the rocks and the crew captured by a British destroyer. In the spring of 1941 twelve Norwegian weathermen landed on the island.  Germans planes attempted to bomb and strafe the weather station, but did little damage. In 1942 a German bomber smashed into a mountain, killing all nine crew members.  In 1943 the Americans established a radio locating station on the island. Today the island's only inhabitants are personnel from the Norwegian Armed Forces and Norwegian Metrological Institute.  This unofficial 2019 200 Kroner of Jan Mayen depicts an Artic Fox and a Polar Bear on one side and the arms of Norway and a compass rose on the other.  The eight-sided, 40mm silver plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 150 pieces.

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SWAINS ISLAND COIN FEATURES DEADLY MERMAID & SAILING SHIP

Swains Island is a privately-owned atoll in the South Pacific that is claimed by both the United States and Tokelau. It consists of approximately 373 acres (150.8 ha) of land surrounding a central lagoon.  In 2010 it had a population of 17.  American Eli Hutchinson Jennings purchased the island in 1856 for fifteen shillings per acre and a bottle of gin from British Captain Turnbull, who claimed ownership of the island by discovery.  Jennings settled on the island along with his Samoan wife and established a successful coconut plantation.  The island has remained in the Jennings family ever since then.  The obverse of this unofficial 2019 dated 5 Tala coin of Swains Island depicts a mermaid sitting above the skull of an unlucky sailor. The reverse depicts a sailing ship and a coconut palm.  The eight-sided, 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 150 pieces.

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BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO COIN FEATURES BIRDS

Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the north-eastern coast of New Guinea. Its first inhabitants arrived some 30,000 to 40,000 years ago.  Germany claimed the islands in 1884 and named them after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Australia seized the islands in 1914 at the start of World War I.  The Japanese took over at the beginning of World War II.  The islands were the scene of some heavy fighting in 1944 by American and Australian forces under General Douglas MacArthur who used them as a stepping stone for his invasion of the Philippines.  In 1975 the archipelago became part of Papua New Guinea.  The obverse of this unofficial 2019 dated 200 Kina coin includes the national emblem of Papua New Guinea which features a Bird of Paradise.  The reverse depicts a cockatoo.  The six-sided 38mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 150 pieces.

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RECENT SILVER COINS OF THE EAST CARIBBEAN STATES

The East Caribbean Central Bank recently issued coins for each of its member nations.  The tiny island nations all utilize a common currency called the Eastern Caribbean Dollar.  The Proof-like 1 troy ounce .999 fine, 39mm legal tender coins are denominated two Eastern Caribbean Dollars.  The coins have a common reverse depicting Queen Elizabeth within a wreath.  Each nation has a distinctive obverse reflecting a unique aspect of that country.  Anguilla depicts a stylized lobster.  Antigua and Barbuda features a rum runner and his sailing ship.  Dominica shows a woman watching Boeing 314 Clipper "Flying Boat".  The design was derived from an old Pan-Am travel poster for Tahiti.  Grenada depicts divers exploring a shipwreck and coral reefs. The Montserrat coin incorporates the coat-of-arms of Montserrat along with portions of the British and American flags.  Montserrat is called "The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean" both for its resemblance to coastal Ireland and for the Irish ancestry of many of its inhabitants.   Because of volcanic activity the southern half of the island, including its former capital and main airport, have been abondened. St. Kitts & Nevis features a pellican and sail boats.  St. Lucia depicts two flamingos.  St. Vincent and The Grenadines depicts a a seaplane landing.  They are attractive coins from nations that rarely issue their own coins.

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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 2019 PORCUPINE FISH COIN IN YELLOW TITANIUM & COPPER-NICKEL

The British Virgin Islands issued these 2019 coins depicting a Porcupine Fish in both Golden Yellow Titanium and copper-nickel.  Both coins have the same design, depicting Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and the unusual fish in a puffed-up state on the reverse.  The fish has the unusual ability to increase its size by almost double vertically by swallowing air.  This, and its sharp spines which radiate outward when the fish is inflated help discourage predators.  The golden yellow titanium version is denominated 5 Dollars, is 36.1mm, has a mintage of 7,500 and come in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.   The copper-nickel version is denominated 1 Dollar, is 38.6mm and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces.

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FIRST MAN ON THE MOON COINS FROM ASCENSION STRUCK IN TITANIUM

One of NASA's main tracking stations for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission as well many other missions is located Devil’s Ashpit on the eastern side of Ascension Island.  Ascension commemorated the 50th anniversary of the First Man on the Moon with this limited edition 2019 1 Crown coins struck in gray titanium.  The coin features an astronaut on the surface of the moon saluting the American flag.  The Lunar Module is in the background.  The planet earth rises above.  The NASA logo is also featured in the design.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  The coin is 36.1mm, has a mintage of 7,500 and come in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.   

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NEW COINS OF ST. THOMAS & PRINCE FEATURE BIRDS

St. Thomas and Prince (São Tomé and Príncipe) are a former Portuguese colony off the west coast of Africa. On January 1, 2018 it did a 1000 to 1 revaluation of their currency. New coins dated 2017, were issued.  Included are the 10, 20, 50 Centimos and 1 and 2 Dobras. The coins feature the coat-of-arms on the obverse and native birds on the reverse.

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ODD-SHAPED INACCESSIBLE ISLAND COIN FEATURES PENGUINS

A pair of King Penguins are featured on this odd-shaped 2019 dated 10 Pounds coin of Inaccessible Island.  The small, remote island is located about 25 miles (41km.) south-west of Tristan da Cunha.  The last permanent residents of the islands were a pair of brothers who arrived in 1871 hoping to make a living sealing and selling their wares to passing ships (forgetting how infrequently Inaccessible had visitors).  They were "overjoyed" to be rescued by a scientific expedition that stopped at the island in 1873.  The island is the home to over a million birds but has no land mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, or snails.  The island is a British Overseas Territory. Queen Elizabeth and the coat of arms is on the obverse.  The unofficial silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 150 pieces.

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CANADA 2019 SET INCLUDING SCARCE 50 CENTS

This six-piece Canadian 2019 coin set includes the regular issue 5, 10, 25 50 Cents, 1 and 2 Dollars coin in Uncirculated condition. The 50 Cents is not being released into circulation but is only available from the mint at a substantial premium. The unpackaged coin set comes from original mint rolls

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CANADA 2019 D-DAY 2 DOLLAR COINS

Canada issued both colored and uncolored 2 Dollar coins in 2019 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Allied D-Day landing   Both versions have the same design featuring Canadian soldiers peering over the edge of their landing craft approaching Juno Beach. Supporting ships, airplanes and blimps appear in the outer ring. The colored version depicts the central helmet and the legend above it in color.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. The bi-metallic coins are 28mm in diameter and are Uncirculated.

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CANADA 2019 EQUALITY DOLLAR

Canada issued this circulating 2019 dollar coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.  The coin celebrates "equality for all and the right to live free from discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics."  Some in the LGBT+ community object to the coin as they say they have not yet achieved full equality. The reverse design by Vancouver artist Joe Average features two intertwined faces that " invites a personal interpretation of the design".  The Susanna Blount portrait of Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.

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EMPEROR PENGUINS ON TITANIUM AND COPPER NICKEL COINS OF BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY

A mother, father and cute baby Emperor Penguin are featured on these 2019 dated 2 Pound coins of the British Antarctic Territory. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.   The Antarctic winter begins in March and unlike other animals who sensibly make their way to the warmer parts, the Emperor penguins march 200 miles in the opposite direction, across the pack ice, in order to breed in the coldest place on Earth.  These nesting sites may be many miles from the sea and up to 25,000 birds will make their way to the sites.  The female lays a single egg which both parents initially protect from the ice by resting it on their feet. The female then returns to the sea to feed, leaving the male in sole charge of their prized possession.  During this time, which can be around 115 days, the male eats nothing, relying on his reserves of blubber to keep him alive.  The males huddle together, taking turns to stand in the middle of the huddle to try and survive the icy cold winds of up to 120 mph.  When the female returns, after the egg has hatched, and manages to find her mate amongst the hundreds of fathers by his call.  The fathers can then finally leave to take their turn to feed at sea. The coin was minted in both blue titanium and copper-nickel with identical designs. The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10 grams, has a mintage of 7,500 and come in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.   The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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RED FOOTED BOOBY ON TITANIUM AND COPPER NICKEL COINS OF BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

The Red Footed Booby is a large sea bird, which as the name suggests, has red feet.  They are powerful and agile flyers that can dive into the sea at high speed in order to catch small fish and squid.  Its take-off and landing skills however leave a lot to be desired.  A mother Booby and her chick are featured on these 2019 dated 2 Pound coins of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The coin was minted in both red titanium and copper-nickel with identical designs. The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10 grams, has a mintage of 7,500 and comes in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.   The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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SERBIA HONORS TESLA ON NEW SILVER COINS

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian American inventor, electrical engineer, physicist, and futurist.  He is said to have over 300 patents covering a wide range of technologies including alternating current, electric motors, remote control, television, radio, x-rays, cell phones, robotics, lasers, turbine engines, magnetic propulsion, drones, solar power, weather manipulation, particle beams and electromagnetic energy (the Tesla coil).  Recently Serbia instituted a series of  100 Dinara coins honoring Tesla and his many inventions.  The 39mm coins each contain 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver and are struck by the Serbian Mint.  The obverses of the coins depict Tesla.   The Serbian arms, weight, purity, silver content, date, denomination and one or more of his inventions are on the reverses.  I expect the series to be popular due to Tesla's fame and the automobile named in his honor. 
   The first issue in the series honors his contributions to the design of the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system and features one of Nikola Tesla’s greatest inventions: the Induction Motor.  Only 50,000 pieces were struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) and 3327 pieces in Proof. The Proof issue comes in a case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
   The second coin in the series is a 2019 dated coin commemorating the 120th anniversary of his invention of remote control and wireless transmission.  In 1898 Tesla demonstrated the technology with a radio-controlled four-foot long stealth boat, which is depicted on the coin.   He expected the technology to be picked up by the United States Navy, but the Navy brass would have none of it.  Ironically, less than two decades later the German navy used remotely controlled boats loaded with explosives to attack Allied ships during World War I.  Only recently has the United States Navy started serious work with remote control ships.   The coin has a mintage of 75,000 pieces in Brilliant Uncirculated.  We have not yet received examples of the coin in Proof.

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PAKISTAN ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY COIN

Pakistan issued this 2018 dated 50 Rupee coin for International Anti-Corruption Day. The obverse of the 30mm copper-nickel coin has the Pakistan national emblem of a crescent moon and a star.  The reverse has legends in English reading "International Anti Corruption Day 9th December".  The legend in Urdu translates as "Our faith, corruption free Pakistan". The denomination, 50 Rupees, is an amount often given as small bribes to minor officials and police.

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ATTRACTIVE NEW SUDAN NOTE FEATURES GOLD BARS & BOAT

The front of this attractive new 2018 Sudan 50 Pound note features a stack of gold bars (maybe to make people think the currency is worth something), the Central Bank building and a map of Sudan.  The back depicts a sailing boat and a heard of camels. The note utilizes the two official languages of Sudan, the front is in Arabic, the back in English.  The colorful note includes many sophisticated anti-counterfeiting devices including a foil strip with holographic images, front/back registration and a watermark.

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HUNGARY 2018 WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hungary commemorated the 2018 World Wrestling Championships held in Budapest from October 20 to 28, 2018. The event included Men and women's freestyle and Men's Greco-Roman wrestling. Russia was the clear winner with 10 gold medals. The 27.4mm copper-nickel 50 Forint depicts one wrestler throwing the other. The denomination is on the obverse

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EGYPT COMMEMORATES NEW CITIES IN 2019

Egypt released new 2019 dated coins to commemorate new, planned cities that it is building.   A huge new capital is being constructed in the desert some 30 miles (45km) in order to relieve congestion in the Cairo.  The new city is being built and will be run by the army and will include numerous smart sensors and cameras in order to keep its citizens safe. The first bureaucrats are already being moved into the city.  Though the new capital is sure to be impressive - it still does not have a name.  Another new planned city, Alamein New City is rising some 66 miles (100 km.) west of Alexandria.  The planned, ecologically friendly city is supposed to eventually house some 3 million inhabitants. The city is being heavily promoted, though few of the facilities have been completed.  Both cities were honored on circulating 2019 Egypt coins.  A bi-metallic 1 Pound for the new, nameless capital features some buildings and the sun rising in the background.   For Alamein New City both a brass-clad steel 50 Piastres and a bi-metallic 1 Pound were issued depicting buildings (though to me it looks more like ruins).  All the coins utilize the standard reverse that include the denomination and date.

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MOLDOVA 2018 PUZZLE COIN SET

Moldova released a set of four new coins consisting of nickel-plated steel 1 and 2 Lei and bi-metallic 5 and 10 Lei.  Each coin depicts a portion of the Moldovan arms, so that when the coins are placed together the image of the arms is created.  The obverses of the coins each feature a portion of a crowned aurochs' head.  The 1 and 2 Lei also include the moon and sun from the arms. The 10 Lei also includes the arms of Stephen the Great.  The reverses of the coin include the denomination, date, a latent and a micro-engraved image. When placed together, the reverses of the coins feature an eagle holding an olive branch and a scepter from the Moldovan arms.  It is a cleverly designed set of coins.

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YEAR OF THE PIG NOTES FROM MACAU

The two banks that issue currency for Macao, the Bank of China and the Banco Nacional Ultramarino, each a released 10 Patacas banknote honoring the Year of the Pig for 2019.  Both notes have similar designs.  The front of both notes include a stylized pig, bird and flowers, a Chinese zodiac and a color-shifting gold "10".  The backs depict the headquarters building for the issuing bank, children with fireworks outside the A-Ma temple, and the stylized pig, bird and flowers.  Security features include both a security thread and watermarks.  Both notes were printed by Hong Kong Printing Ltd. The last five digits of the serial numbers will match.

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VENEZUELA'S NEW CURRENCY

On August 20, 2018 Venezuela did a 100,000 to 1 revaluation, replacing the worthless Bolivar Fuerte (Strong Bolivar) with the Bolivar Soberano (Sovereign Bolivar).  The value of the Bolivar Soberano is supposedly tied to the a crypto-currency created by the government of Venezuela called the Petro, with 1 Petro being equivalent to 1 barrel of oil.  In reality the currency was not tied to anything.  The socialist government of Venezuela continued its disastrous political and economic policies, resulting in frequent blackouts. lack of running water, and continued hyper-inflation in Venezuela, which some estimate at a million percent per year.  Eight denominations of Bolivar Soberano notes were released.  Like previous issues the fronts are in a vertical  format and depict national heroes.  The backs are in a horizontal format and depict native wildlife and national parks.    The 500 Bolivars depicts Simon Bolivar and the Venezuelan Troupial, which is the national bird.  The 200 Bolivars features Francisco de Miranda and the Military Macaw. The 100 Bolivars depicts Ezequiel Zamora and a Brown Spider Monkey.  The 50 Bolivars pictures Antionio Jose de Sucre and an Oncilla (tiger cat or Cunaguaro). The 20 Bolivars portrays Simon Rodriguez and a Jaguar. The 10 Bolivars depicts Rafael Urdaneta and a Giant Anteater.  The 5 Bolivars pictures José Felix Ribas and a Veragua stubfoot toad (Atelopus cruciger).  The 2 Bolivars features Josefa Camejo and a Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot.  The lower denomination notes are difficult to obtain as many people refuse to accept them due to their minimal buying power - the effort spent counting the notes is more than the notes are worth!  With increasing hyper-inflation,  political and economic instability in Venezuela the notes may not be around for long.

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TRIGGERFISH ON TITANIUM AND COPPER NICKEL COINS OF ASCENSION ISLAND

A Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is featured on purple titanium and copper-nickel 2019 1 Crown coins of Ascension Island. The large oval-shaped reef dwelling fish is so named due to its unique spines on its anterior dorsal fins which are used to lock the fish into a crevice during the night.  The first spine locks and the second spine unlocks, like a trigger.  This prevents predators from pulling them free or swallowing the fish.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10 grams, has a mintage of 7,500 and comes in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.   The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins have the same design and are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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MACARONI PENGUINS ON TITANIUM AND COPPER-NICKEL COINS OF SO. GEORGIA & SO. SANDWICH IS.

Macaroni Penguins are so named as the spectacular orange tufted plumes on its head. In 18th century England, a Macaroni was an individual who dressed with flamboyant or excessive ornamentation (as in the song Yankee Doodle). In the summer they breed in colonies that number many thousands of birds.  They then disburse and have been known swim 10,000 km (6,200 miles) before returning to land.  The British territory of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands depicts four Macaroni Penguins on their 2019 Two-pound coins.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  The coins are struck in both pale blue titanium and copper-nickel with the same design.  The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10 grams, has a mintage of 7,500 and come in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity.   The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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FOR OTHER RECENT ISSUES PLEASE SEE:
NEW 2 EURO COMMEMORATIVE COINS
MAUI TRADE $2 COINS

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