RECENT WORLD COIN & CURRENCY ISSUES
CANADA 2020 COLOR BI-METALLIC 2 DOLLAR COIN CELEBRATES HAIDA ART AND CULTURE
Canada
recently released a circulating multi-color, bi-metallic 2 Dollar coin
to celebrate Haida art and culture. Haida art is a
distinctive art form created by tribes of north-western
Canada. It includes a range of objects including Totem Poles,
stone carving, baskets, blankets and drawings. The
reverse of this 2020 dated coin features "Xhuwaji, Haida Grizzly
Bear". The red, black and white design was originally painted
by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid (Iljuwas) on a ceremonial drum in
1988. Reid was a gifted artist, writer and broadcaster who
championed Haida causes. The coin also celebrates the 100th anniversary
of the artist's birth. The obverse depicts the portrait of Queen
Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt.
Item
CA-2D-HAIDA
CANADA 2 DOLLARS 2020 HAIDA ART UNC.
$7.00
GREECE CELEBRATES 2500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE
Greece commemorated
the 2500th Anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae with this
circulating 2020 2 Euro coin. The Battle of Thermopylae was
fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas I
of Sparta, and the Persian Empire under Xerxes. The
Greek forces held off the vastly larger Persian Army for 3 days until
they were betrayed and defeated. The image of the heroic last
stand of the Greeks fighting to their death against all odds has
remained in culture ever since. The bi-metallic coin depicts
an ancient Greek helmet. It has the standard 2 Euro reverse
that depicts a map of Europe. It has a mintage of 735,000.
Item
GR-2E20-THERM GREECE 2 EUROS 2020 BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE UNC.
$7.00
EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY
SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, also called Order
of the Holy Sepulchre or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre is a Roman
Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the
Pope. It had its origins in the Crusades to protect
Christians in the Holy Land. Much of its work today still
focuses on the support of the Christian presence in the Holy
Land. One side of the five-sided coin depicts a
knight holding a sword and the name of the order in Latin: "Ordo
Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani". The reverse has
the arms of the order and its initials: "OESSH". The
unofficial silver-plated Proof coin is dated 2020 and denominated as 10
Tari. It has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
OESSH EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF
JERUSALEM 10 TARI 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 a popular destination 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
2020 ANTIGUA
& BARBUDA COIN FEATURES PIRATE SHIP
An
18th century pirate ship, under full sail, and cannons firing is
featured on the reverse of the 2020 Antigua & Barbuda silver 2
Dollar coin. The detailed design shows individuals standing
on the deck and a dense cloud of smoke pouring out of the ship's gun
ports. The obverse of the coin utilizes the standard East
Caribbean Central Bank design depicting the bust of Queen Elizabeth
within a wreath. The 1 troy ounce coin is struck in .999 fine
silver and has a mintage of 25,000 pieces.
Item
ANTIGUA20 ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 2 DOLLARS
2020 PIRATE SHIP
BU $39.50
SPAIN 2020 ARAGON 2
EURO COIN
Spain
continued their series of circulating commemorative 2 Euro coins
featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites that highlight regional
architectural styles. This 2020 Spanish 2 Euro coin depicts
the Tower of the Church of San Salvador as an example of the Mudejar
Architecture of Aragon. The Mudejar architecture is a mixture
of Moorish and Gothic styles. It is believed the tower was
built in the early 14th century and is a prime example of this unique
architectural style. The coin has a mintage of 4 million.
Item
ES-2E20-ARAGON SPAIN 2
EUROS 2020 ARAGON UNC.
UNC. $6.00
JAMMU & KASHMIR COIN DEPICTS
KASHMIR DEER
Jammu
and Kashmir is a disputed region with portions controlled by
India,
Pakistan and
China.
Kashmir was an
independent kingdom until
1586 when it was conquered by the Mughals. India and Pakistan
gained independence in 1947 and immediately began fighting over the
region. The region was divided between the two nations with
the northern most portion going to China. Since then the
three nations have fought multiple wars over the territory.
Many residents would prefer Kashmir to be an independent nation rather
than being divided between the warring parties.
This unofficial 2020 dated silver-plated Proof 200 Rupee coin of Jammu
and Kashmir features a Kashmir Stag (also called a hangul) on one side
and the arms of Jammu and Kashmir on the other. It is a
critically endangered species with only a few hundred
remaining. The obverse depicts the arms of Jammu and
Kashmir. The coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
KASHMIR200 JAMMU & KASHMIR 200 RUPEES
2020 PROOF $19.95
Also see:
OLD COPPER COIN OF MUSLIM KASHMIR - AE KASERAH
FATH SHAH
1486-1517
WU HAN COIN FEATURES PANGOLIN
The city of Wu Han in China is believed
to be where COVID-19 began its deadly spread around the
world. Pictured on one side of the unofficial 2020 20 Yuan
coin of Wu Han is a Pangolin, the animal from which the disease likely
spread to humans. Pangolins were sold Wu Han Wet Market for
their meat and their use in Traditional Chinese
Medicine. The other side of the coin depicts the
Yellow Crane Tower in Wu Han. The tower may have had its
origins as early as 223AD. It has been destroyed, rebuilt many times
over the centuries. The present structure was built in
1981. It is 169 feet (51.4m) tall. The eight-sided,
silver-plated coin is 40mm. The coin has a mintage of only
160 pieces and is Proof.
Item
WU-HAN WU HAN 20 YUAN 2020 PROOF $19.95
FISH EAGLE ON COIN OF DISPUTED NATUNA
The Natuna Regency is an archipelago of
272 islands located in the south part of the South China Sea.
The islands are controlled by Indonesia. Part of Indonesia's
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Natuna overlaps with
China's "Nine Dashed Lines" claim to most of the South China Sea, which
is based on a map published by China in 1947. There have been
conflicts over fishing in the disputed area and Indonesia has heavily
armed the islands in an attempt to enforce their claims.
Natural Gas deposits in the region may create further
conflicts. One side of this unofficial 2020 dated 5000 Rupiah
coin depicts a Lesser Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus humilis) holding a fish in
its talons. The other side has the Natuna emblem on the chest
of a heraldic Indonesian Garuda Bird. The 39mm silver-plated
proof coin has a scalloped edge. It has a mintage
of only 160 pieces.
Item
NATUNA NATUNA 5000 RUPIAH 2020 PROOF $19.95
ESEQUIBO COIN FEATURES TOCO TOUCAN
Esequibo is a disputed region bordering
the Essequibo river in South America. It is claimed and
controlled by Guyana though is also claimed by Venezuela. The
dispute dates back to the 19th century. In 2006 Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez added an 8th star to the Venezuelan flag to
represent Esequibo. The region contains large oil fields and
makes up a substantial portion of the nation of Guyana. The
obverse of this 2020 dated 20 Guilderro depicts the arms of
Esequibo. The reverse depicts a Toco Toucan. The
unofficial 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160
pieces.
Item
ESEQUIBO ESEQUIBO 20 GUILDERRO 2020 PROOF $19.95
ROTUMA COIN FEATURES NATIVE BIRD
Rotuma is and island and nearby islets
located some 400 miles (645km) north of Fiji. It is controlled by
Fiji. It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which have a
distinct language and culture from other parts of Fiji. In
1987, after the a coup in Fiji A part-Rotuman man named Henry Gibson
announced the independence of Rotuma from Fiji with the creation of the
Republic of Rotuma. He then proclaimed himself King 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 bird is endemic to Rotuma. 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
AWDALLAND COIN FEATURES SECRETARY BIRD
Awdal is the northwestern most province
of Somaliland. After Somaliland declared
independence from Somalia in 1991, Awdal declared independence from
Somaliland in 1995. The purported new nation, called Awadl
Republic, Awdalland or Awdal State of Somalia, has received little
international support or recognition. One side of this
unofficial 2020 dated 250 Shilin coin of Awdalland depicts a
Secretary bird. The large bird can grow to over 4 feet (1.3m)
in height. The arms of Awdalland are on the other side of the
con. The eight-sided 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a
mintage of 160 pieces.
Item
AWAD AWDALLAND 250 SHILIN 2020 PROOF $19.95
ODD SHAPED COIN OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE NORTH SOLOMONS
Bougainville
is a large, mineral rich island controlled by Papau-New
Guinea. Germany claimed the island in the late 19th century
and administered it as part of German New Guinea. It has
remained part of New Guinea ever since, though ethnically and
geographically it is part of the Solomon Islands group. There
has been an on-going independence movement for Bougainville ever since
Papau-New Guinea gained independence in 1975. The movement
wants to establish Bougainville as The Republic of the North
Solomons. In 2019 a referendum was held with over
98% voting for independence. There has been little progress
towards independence since then. The odd shaped coin depicts
the arms of Bougainville, which consists of two armed natives guarding
an upe. An upe is a traditional headdress worn by men to symbolize
their transition to adulthood. The other side depicts a bound
pair of arms breaking free and the dates of the independence
referendum. This unofficial 200 Bou coin is dated
2020. The odd-shaped coin is 40x26mm. The
silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
NO.SOL NORTH SOLOMONS (BOUGAINVILLE)
200 BOU 2020 PROOF $19.95
A COIN FROM THE
MOON?
This attractive 6-sided silver-plated
coin was issued the "Lunar Republic". It is denominated 50
Craters and is dated 2020 C.E. and year 51 of the Lunar Era, which
started with Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in 1969.
One side depicts an American astronaut on the moon. The other
side features the Soviet Lunokhod 1lunar rover which landed on the moon
in November 1970. The rover traveled 10.54 kilometers (6.5
miles) on the surface of the moon over 321 earth days, taking pictures
and conducting experiments. The coin has a mintage of only
160 pieces.
Item
MOON50 LUNAR REPUBLIC 50 CRATERS, 2020 PROOF $19.95
GHANA 2019
BI-METALLIC 2 CEDIS 
Ghana
released a new 2019 dated 2 Cedis. The bi-metallic coin
features numerous advanced security devices, including latent images on
both sides and micro-lettering along the rim of the reverse.
The obverse features Ghana's coat of arms. The reverse
depicts Jubilee House in Acca, which serves as the presidential palace.
Item
GH-2C GHANA 2 CEDIS 2019 UNC.$8.00
RECENT
SILVER COINS OF THE EAST CARIBBEAN STATES
The East Caribbean Central Bank supplies coins and currency to a number
of tiny Caribbean nations which all utilize a common currency called
the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. These Brilliant
Uncirculated 1 troy ounce .999 fine, 39mm legal tender coins
were issued for the member nations of the East Caribbean Central
Bank. The coins have a frosted Proof-Like surface. They all have the
same reverse depicting Queen
Elizabeth within a wreath. Each nation has a distinctive
obverse reflecting a unique aspect of that country. The designs change
each year, though tend to follow the same themes reflecting
an aspect of that nation. . They are each
denominated 2 Eastern Caribbean Dollars. Only
25,000 of each coin was minted.
Item
ANGUILLA19 ANGUILLA 2 DOLLARS 2019 LOBSTER
BU $34.50
Item
ANTIGUA20 ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 2 DOLLARS 2020 PIRATE SHIP
BU $39.50
Item
DOMINICA19 DOMINICA 2 DOLLARS 2019 AIRPLANE AND PARROT
BU $39.50
Item
GRENADA19 GRENADA 2 DOLLARS 2019 DIVERS,
BU $34.50
Item
MONTSERRAT19 MONTSERRAT
2 DOLLARS 2019 HARP BU
$34.50
Item
ST.KITTS19 ST. KITTS & NEVIS 2
DOLLARS 2019 PELICAN,
BU $34.50
Item
ST.LUCIA19 ST. LUCIA 2 DOLLARS 2019
FLAMINGOS,
BU $34.50
Item
ST.VINCENT19 ST. VINCENT & THE
GRENADINES 2 DOLLARS 2019 SEA PLANE,
BU $34.50
NEW BAHAMAS HALF
DOLLAR NOTE
The Bahamas released a new Half Dollar note dated 2019. The
front features a map of the Bahamas, a Bahama Strongbark flower, a
color-shifting image of a lizard and the Queen. The vertical
back features Sister Sarah Johnson and images of the Straw
Market. Sister Sarah was a prominent artisan straw weaver at
the market in the 1970's. In the bottom left is the Bahamas
Coat of Arms. The note has a watermark of Queen
Elizabeth.
Item
PM-BS-1/2
BAHAMAS HALF DOLLAR NOTE, 2019 UNC. $3.75
BIG
5 AFRICAN WILDLIFE COINS FROM
SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone released a series of five copper-nickel 1 Dollar coins
depicting the Big Five African game animals. The term Big
Five refers to the Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Cape Buffalo. The
term was originally used by big game hunters referring to the five
African animals that were most difficult to hunt on foot. Now
it is widely used by safari tour operators. This set of five
2019 1 Dollar coins features the head of each of the animals styled as
though it is an African mask. The African pattern is carried
over to the incused rim. The obverses of the coins depict arms of
Sierra Leone and the date. The coins are 38.6mm in
diameter. Each coin has a maximum mintage of only 10,000
pieces.
Item
SL-BIG5 SIERRA LEONE SET OF 5 WILDLIFE DOLLAR
COINS,
2019 BU
$49.75
WORLD
WAR II COMMEMORATIVE FROM ASCENSION ISLAND
Ascension
Island commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the start of
World War II with this copper-nickel 1 Crown. An airbase was
constructed on the island during the war for patrol
operations. The base was called "wideawake" because of a
nearby colony of noisy terns. The coin features three
soldiers with tanks and war vehicles, ships and Lancaster airplanes in
the background. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.
The 38.6mm coin has a maximum mintage of 10,000 pieces.
Item
ASC-WWII ASCENSION 1 CROWN 2019 WORLD WAR II
BU
$14.00
FIRST MAN ON THE MOON
COIN FROM ASCENSION
One
of NASA's main tracking stations for the Apollo 11 lunar landing
mission and many other missions is located at 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. 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
38.6mm Proof-like
copper-nickel coin has a mintage of just 1969 pieces.
Item ASC-MOON ASCENSION 1 CROWN 2019 MAN ON MOON,
PL $14.00
NIUE KOALA COIN SUPPORTS WILDLIFE
SERVICES
Niue
released a 2020 copper-nickel 1 Dollar coin depicting a cute Koala and
the Australian flag superimposed on a map of Australia. Above is the
inscription "
PRESERVE
PLANET EARTH".
Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. A portion of the proceeds
from
the sale of the coins goes to support the New South Wales Wildlife
Information, Rescue and Education Service (NSW -
WIRES) It
is the largest wildlife rescue & rehabilitation charity in
Australia. All of its animal rescuers and care takers are volunteers.
It was established in 1985, after an injured Australian white ibis was
found in Sydney. No organization, government or conservation group
could be found to take responsibility for its care as none had
experience with native Australian animals. The 38.6mm coin comes in a
presentation pack. It has a mintage of just 2020 pieces.
Item
NU-KOALA NIUE 1 DOLLAR 2020 KOALA BU $15.00
NEW
ZIMBABWE 2020
BANKNOTES
Zimbabwe recently released new 10 and 20 Zimbabwe Dollar notes dated
2020 in an attempt to re-establish their own currency.
Zimbabwe had a disastrous bout of hyperinflation between 2007 and 2009,
with banknotes denominated as high as
100
Trillion Dollars. Inflation was only brought under
control when the Zimbabwe stopped issuing their own currency and
switched to using foreign currencies, including the U.S. Dollar and
South African Rand. Recently Zimbabwe outlawed the use of
foreign currency in order to introduce the new Zimbabwe
Dollar. The new currency has been met with widespread
skepticism and distrust. The new Zimbabwe Dollar is
supposedly equivalent to a U.S. Dollar but since cannot be converted it
trades for far less. Inflation soared to over 700% in May
2020. Like most modern Zimbabwe banknotes, the
front of the new notes pictures the Chiremba Balancing Rocks.
The red 10 Dollar note depicts the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe building
and a herd of Cape Buffalo on the back. The blue 20 Dollar
note depicts an elephant and Victoria falls on the back.
Item
PM-ZW-$10D
ZIMBABWE 10 DOLLAR NOTE, 2020 UNC.
$9.75
Item
PM-ZW-$20D
ZIMBABWE 20 DOLLAR NOTE, 2020 UNC. $15.00
CHINA CELEBRATES
YEAR OF THE RAT WITH
BI-METAL 10 YUAN
China
recently released this 2020 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to
commemorate the Year of the Rat. The 27mm coin depicts a cute
mouse,
a palace lantern, and grapes on the obverse. The reverse
features
the
denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design. The large number
10 contains latent images, which change as the coin is moved.
Item
CN-RAT20 CHINA 10 YUAN 2020 YEAR OF
THE RAT,
BI-METAL BU
$7.00
CANADA 2020 SET INCLUDING
SCARCE 50 CENTS
This
six-piece Canadian 2020 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. We also have available a few
of
the 2019 six-coin sets. The unpackaged coin sets come from original
mint rolls.
Item
CA-SET20 CANADA 2020 REGULAR DESIGN 6
COINSET, 5 CENTS - 2 DOLLARS, UNC.
$11.00
Item
CA-SET19 CANADA 2019 REGULAR DESIGN 6
COINSET, 5 CENTS - 2 DOLLARS, UNC.
$11.00
BIG
CATS FROM SIERRA LEONE
Sierra
Leone recently issued a set of five 2020 dated coins featuring "Big
Cats" of the world. The set features the Cheetah, Cougar,
Lion,
Panther and Tiger. The arms of Sierra Leone is on the obverse
of
each coin. The copper-nickel 1 Dollar denominated coins are 38.6mm in
diameter. They have a mintage of just 10,000 pieces each and
are
sure to be popular with lovers of all sizes of cats
everywhere.
Item
SL-CATS SIERRA LEONE SET OF 5 ONE
DOLLAR BIG CATS COINS,
2020, BU $49.75
SILVER COIN FOR THE STATE OF
JEFFERSON
The
State of Jefferson is a proposed new state made up of rural
areas of northern California and southern Oregon. The
movement
has attracted many conservatives in the area whose opinions and values
are overshowed and outvoted by the more liberal cities in California
and Oregon. The Board of Supervisors in a number of northern
California counties have approved resolutions in support of the
measure. Driving through the region I have seen many signs
supporting the movement. Because of the constitutional
requirements needed to carve out a new state it is unlikely to actually
come to come to fruition. A private mint in Oregon recently
issued this attractive 31.5mm sterling silver coin for The State of
Jefferson. The 2020 dated coin is denominated as 20 Jefferson
Dollars. The obverse features the Great Seal of the State of
Jefferson, which features a gold mining pan with two Xs. The
two
Xs are known as the "Double Cross" and signify the two regions' sense
of abandonment by their state governments. The reverse
depicts a
phoenix, the date, denomination, fineness and the word
"LIBERTY".
The coin has a maximum mintage of only 300 pieces.
Item
JEFFERSON STATE OF JEFFERSON 20 JEFFERSON
DOLLARS 2020 UNC. $25.00
2020 MAYFLOWER DOLLAR FROM
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
The
British Virgin Islands commemorated the 400th Anniversary of the
Mayflower's voyage which brought the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England to
America in 1620. It was a difficult and cramped voyage for
the 102 passengers and about 30 crew members. The first
passengers boarded the 90-foot ship in July 1620. After
several false starts the Mayflower finally arrived in Massachusetts in
November 1620, just as winter was starting. By spring, when
the ship returned to England, almost half of the passengers and crew
had died. The 38.6mm copper-nickel coin features the
Mayflower Ship, with the words “The Mayflower” at the top and “1620 –
2020” at the bottom. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. The
Brilliant Uncirculated coin has a mintage of only 10,000 pieces.
Item
BVI-MAYFLOWER BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 1
DOLLAR
2020 MAYFLOWER, BU
$14.00
GERMAN 2020 BRANDENBURG 2 EURO
Germany
continued their annual series of 2 Euro coins honoring each of that
country's Länders (states) with this 2020 issue for
Brandenburg. Brandenburg is a state in north-eastern Germany
that surrounds Berlin. The coin depicts the Sanssouci palace
in Potsdam. The palace was built between 1745 and 1747 as a
summer palace for Prussian King Frederick the Great. We offer
the coin individually or the set of all five mints: Berlin, Munich,
Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Hamburg (mint marks A, D, F, G and J).
Item
DE-2E20-BRANDEN
GERMANY 2 EURO 2020
BRANDENBURG UNC, (Mint of our choice) $6.00
Item
DE-2E20-BRANDENx5
ALL 5 MINTS OF GERMAN 2 EURO
2020 BRANDENBURG UNC
$29.75
WOLF
ON 2019 PORTUGUESE 5 EURO
A
mother Iberian wolf nuzzling her two cubs and the Portuguese arms is on
the obverse of 30mm copper-nickel 2019 dated 5 Euro. Another
wolf is on the reverse. The Iberian wolf is a
proposed subspecies of grey wolf that inhabits the northwest of the
Iberian Peninsula. It is a cute and attractive coin.
Item
PT-5E-WOLF PORTUGAL 5 EURO 2019 WOLF UNC.
$16.00
AUSTRIA 2019 KNIGHTS' TALES 10 EURO
COINS
Austria released the first two coins in a series of five series called
"Knights' Tales" which feature knightly virtues. The coins
are 32mm copper 10 Euros. The first coin titled "Chivalry"
commemorates the 500th anniversary of the death of Holy Roman Emperor
Maximillian I. The code of chivalry was a combination of the warrior
ethos, piety, nobility and gallantry, which Maximillian
embodied. The obverse depicts Maximillian holding a lance and
his coat-of-arms. The reverse shows a knight on horseback in
a jousting tournament. The second coin titled "Adventure"
depicts Godfrey of Bouillon holding a battle ax and his coat-of-arms
which features the Jerusalem Cross. Godfrey was one of the
leaders of the
First
Crusade. He joined the crusader in
1095. The Crusaders finally made it to Jerusalem in June
1099. The following month they conquered the city and
slaughtered its inhabitants. The reverse of the coin shows knighthood
being conferred by a king to a kneeling squire. Both coins
are dated 2019 and have a mintage of 130,000 pieces in Uncirculated.
Item
AT-CHIVALRYAUSTRIA 10 EURO 2019 CHIVALRY -
MAXIMILLIAN I UNC. $24.50
Item
AT-ADVENTUREAUSTRIA 10 EURO 2019 CHIVALRY -
GODFREY OF BOUILLON UNC. $24.50
ALGERIA CELEBRATES FIRST SATELLITE
WITH BI-METALLIC COIN
Algeria
commemorates its first satellite on this 2019 bi-metallic 100 Dinars
coin. The Alcomsat-1 is a communications satellite that was
developed and launched in China in 2017. It is depicted on
the obverse of the coin. The denomination is on the
reverse. The coin is dated in three different calendar
systems: 2019AD, 1440AH and Berber Year 2969. It is the first
time the Berber Calendar has been used on a coin. The Berber
Calendar is a Julian calendar. It begins computing years from 950BC,
when Shoshenq I, the first Berber Pharaoh of Egypt rose to power.
Item
ALG-100D ALGERIA 100 DINARS 2019
ALCOMSAT-1 UNC. $10.00
2019
SOUTH AFRICA CHILDREN & EDUCATION RIGHTS COINS
These two 2019 dated 2 Rand coins of South Africa feature two of the
basic human rights listed in South Africa's constitution: the rights of
children and the right to education. The constitution was
drafted shortly after the 1994 election which brought an end to the
country's Apartheid regime. It was formally promulgated in
1996. The right to education coin depicts a graduation cap, open book
and a children's alphabet block. The rights of children coin
depict four children from different ethnic groups. The arms
of South Africa is on the reverse of both of the 23mm nickel-plated
coins.
Item
ZA-2R-CHILD19 SOUTH AFRICA 2 RAND 2019
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, UNC. $5.00
Item
ZA-2R-ED19 SOUTH AFRICA 2 RAND 2019 RIGHT TO
EDUCATION, UNC. $5.00
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS COIN FEATURES
COMANCHE WARRIOR
This
2020 dated silver-plated Proof 20 Texas Dollars coin depicts a
Comanche warrior on horseback holding a rifle side. is featured on this
2020 Republic of Texax coin. The other side depicts the seal of the
Republic of Texas, which was adopted as the Texas state seal. Texas
gained
its independence from Mexico in 1835 and was a sovereign nation until
it became a state of the United States in 1846. Coins were authorized,
none were ever issued by the Republic of Texas during its period of
independence There are some that think that Texas should
again become an independent republic, though the independence movement
has gained few followers.. The 40mm
eight-sided coin has a mintage of just 190 pieces.
Item
TEXAS TEXAS 20 DOLLARS 2020 PROOF $19.95
ROMANIA CELEBRATES
1989 REVOLUTION
Romania
commemorated the 30th
anniversary of the December 1989 Romanian Revolution on
this 2019 dated 50 Bani coin. The revolution which overthrew
the 42 years of communist rule. The obverse shows a young man
holding a Romanian flag without the socialist emblem making a victory
sign. Above him is the arms of Romania. The reverse pictures
a group of men and women atop a tank.
Item
RO-REVOLT89 ROMANIA 50 BANI 2019 DECEMBER
REVOLUTION
BU $3.00
2020 CASCADIA SILVER COINS
FEATURE BIGFOOT AND PAXARBOLIS
Cascadia
is a progressive independence movement that 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 the early 19th century. Smallforest,
a
private mint in Oregon, struck two silver coins for Cascadia in 2020
featuring two rarely seen creatures of the Pacific Northwest:
Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot) and Octopus paxarbolis (also known as
the Northwest Tree Octopus). Though there have been reported
sightings of Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest, there is no proof that
it exists. For some reason the photographs come out blurry.
Paxarbolis was created as an internet hoax in 1998 about an endangered
species of tree octopus. It has since taken on a life of its
own. The website is often used as a test of internet literacy
to
see if people can discern fact from fiction on internet. The rare
Paxarbolis is reportedly the favorite food of Sasquatch, which may be
why neither have been actually been found. The Sasquatch coin
is
denominated as 10 Dougies, the Octopus is 8 Dougies. The
Dougie,
named after the Douglas Fir, is the currency of Cascadia.
Both
coins silver coins are 26mm and have a common obverse with "CASCADIA
and the date within a ring of stars. The coins have a maximum
mintage of 100 pieces each.
Item
CASCAD-BIGFOOT CASCADIA 10
DOUGIES 2020 SASQUATCH
(BIGFOOT) UNC. $15.00
Item
CASCAD-OCTOPUS CASCADIA 8 DOUGIES 2020
OCTOPUS PAXARBOLIS UNC.
$15.00
2020 MONT SAINT-MICHEL 500 FRANCS
Mont
Saint-Michel is a tidal island located a few hundred yards (meters) off
the coast of Normandy, France. Its unusual position made it
accessible to pilgrims during low tide, but defensible as the incoming
high tides stranded, drove off, or drowned any attackers. The island
was unconquered by the English during the Hundred Years' War.
Originally built as an abbey, it was later turned into a
prison. In 1874 it was declared an historic monument and has
since become a popular tourist destination, with more than 3 million
visitors a year. This unofficial 2020 dated 500
Francs of Mont Saint-Michel depicts the island and its arms on the
obverse. The reverse portrays Saint Michael the
Archangel. The silver-plated 40mm, eight-sided coin has a
mintage of only 160 pieces and is Proof.
Item
ST-MICHEL MONT SAINT-MICHEL 500 FRANCS 2020
PROOF
$19.95
GIANT COCONUT CRAB ON CHAGOS
ARCHIPELAGO COIN
The
giant Coconut crab is features on this unofficial six-sided 2019 dated
200 Rupees coin of Chagos. The Coconut Crab is the largest
land arthropod in the world. It can grow up to 3 feet (1m) in
length from leg to leg and weigh up to 9 pounds (4.1kg.).
Anything left unattended on the ground is a potential source of food
for the crab, which they will investigate and may carry away, hence it
is sometime called the "robber crab". The obverse features
the Chagos coat of arms which features a sea turtle on top of the
Mauritius coat of arms. Ownership of Chagos is disputed between Great
Britain and Mauritius. Great Britain controls the islands and
calls them the British Indian Ocean Territory. In the early
1970’s they evicted the natives on the islands and built a military
base on the island of Diego Garcia. In 2010 Britain
established the world’s largest marine reserve that encompassed the
islands. By creating the reserve, it outlawed fishing in the
area and effectively prevented the natives from ever returning to the
islands. The Proof coin is struck on silver plated brass and
has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
CHAGOS CHAGOS 200 RUPEES 2019, COCONUT CRAB,
PROOF
$19.95
NEW 2019 CIRCULATING COINS OF CHINA
The People's Republic of China recently released new versions of the 1
and 5 Jiao and 1 Yuan coins with updated designs. All three coins
continue to feature flowers on the reverse. The size of the 1
Yuan is reduced from 25mm to 22.5mm. The numeral "1"
incorporates latent image of “¥” and “1”. The
coin has a lettered edge with "
RMB"
repeated three times. The
metallic content of the 5 Jiao is changed to nickel-plated steel, the
typeface of the denomination revised and the orchid blossoms on the
reverse scaled down. The numeral on the 1 Jiao was also
revised and the orchid on the reverse scaled
down.
Item
CN-SET19
CHINA 3 COIN SET, 1 JIAO - 1 YUAN 2019, UNC. $3.00
ODD SHAPED COIN OF CHRISTMAS
ISLAND FEATURES TROPICBIRD
This
unofficial odd shaped 2019 $100 coin was issued for Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is called Kiritimati in the native language of
Kiribati which now controls the atoll. It was given its name
by Captain James Cook who visited the island on December 24,
1777. It was first permanently inhabited in 1882 by workers
in coconut plantations and fishermen. From 1957 to 1962 Great
Britain and the United States conducted numerous nuclear bomb tests on
the island. This odd-shaped 40mm silver-plated Proof coin
depicts the arms of Kiribati on the obverse and a Tropicbird (Phaeton
bird). The unusual coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS ISLAND (KIRITIMATI) 100 DOLLARS
2019 PROOF $19.95
PADDINGTON BEAR
COINS FROM
GREAT BRITAIN
To
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the publication of the first
Paddington Bear book the British Royal Mint started a series of
circulating 50 Pence coins depicting that beloved bear at sites around
London. The two 2018 coins feature Paddington Bear at the
train station and at Buckingham Palace. On the two 2019 coins he
appears at the Tower of London and at St. Paul's Cathedral.
All three of the seven-sided copper-nickel coins depict Queen Elizabeth
on the obverse. The coins are Uncirculated, though
may have some minor nicks or bag marks.
Item
GB-PADDINGTON4
GREAT BRITAIN SET OF 4
PADDINGTON 50 PENCE, 2018-19 Unc.-bagmarks $27.50
Item
GB-PADDINGTON-PAUL
GREAT BRITAIN 50 PENCE 2019 ST. PAUL'S
CATHEDRAL from above set Unc.-bagmarks $7.00
FRENCH AND GERMAN 2
EUROS CELEBRATESTHE 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 the collapse of
East Germany and 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
is the Brandenburg Gate. In the German version the "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.
Item
FR-2E19WALL FRANCE 2 EUROS FALL OF BERLIN
WALL 2019 UNC. $7.00
Item
DE-2E19WALL GERMANY 2 EUROS BERLIN WALL
2019 (Mint of our choice) UNC. $5.75
Item
DE-2E19WALL-ALL GERMANY ALL
5 MINTS (A, D, F, G, J) BERLIN WALL 2 EUROS UNC. $28.50
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.
Item
LOUISIADE LOUISIADE ARCHIPELAGO 200 KINA
2019 PROOF $19.95
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 on to 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 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.
Item
CV-200E-USA CAPE VERDE 200 ESCUDOS 2018
FRIENDSHIP WITH USA, UNC.-tiny bagmarks $10.00
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.
Item
BAKASSI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF BAKASSI 500
FRANCS 2019 PROOF
$19.95
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.
Item
BIOT-CUTTY19 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY 2
POUNDS 2019 CUTTY SARK BU $14.00
FOR OTHER
RECENT ISSUES PLEASE
SEE:
NEW 2 EURO COMMEMORATIVE COINS
MAUI TRADE $2 COINS
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Canada
recently released a circulating multi-color, bi-metallic 2 Dollar coin
to celebrate Haida art and culture. Haida art is a
distinctive art form created by tribes of north-western
Canada. It includes a range of objects including Totem Poles,
stone carving, baskets, blankets and drawings. The
reverse of this 2020 dated coin features "Xhuwaji, Haida Grizzly
Bear". The red, black and white design was originally painted
by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid (Iljuwas) on a ceremonial drum in
1988. Reid was a gifted artist, writer and broadcaster who
championed Haida causes. The coin also celebrates the 100th anniversary
of the artist's birth. The obverse depicts the portrait of Queen
Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt. 
Greece commemorated
the 2500th Anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae with this
circulating 2020 2 Euro coin. The Battle of Thermopylae was
fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas I
of Sparta, and the Persian Empire under Xerxes. The
Greek forces held off the vastly larger Persian Army for 3 days until
they were betrayed and defeated. The image of the heroic last
stand of the Greeks fighting to their death against all odds has
remained in culture ever since. The bi-metallic coin depicts
an ancient Greek helmet. It has the standard 2 Euro reverse
that depicts a map of Europe. It has a mintage of 735,000.
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, also called Order
of the Holy Sepulchre or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre is a Roman
Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the
Pope. It had its origins in the Crusades to protect
Christians in the Holy Land. Much of its work today still
focuses on the support of the Christian presence in the Holy
Land. One side of the five-sided coin depicts a
knight holding a sword and the name of the order in Latin: "Ordo
Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani". The reverse has
the arms of the order and its initials: "OESSH". The
unofficial silver-plated Proof coin is dated 2020 and denominated as 10
Tari. It 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 a popular destination 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. 
Spain
continued their series of circulating commemorative 2 Euro coins
featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites that highlight regional
architectural styles. This 2020 Spanish 2 Euro coin depicts
the Tower of the Church of San Salvador as an example of the Mudejar
Architecture of Aragon. The Mudejar architecture is a mixture
of Moorish and Gothic styles. It is believed the tower was
built in the early 14th century and is a prime example of this unique
architectural style. The coin has a mintage of 4 million.
Jammu
and Kashmir is a disputed region with portions controlled by India,
Pakistan and China.
Kashmir was an
independent kingdom until
1586 when it was conquered by the Mughals. India and Pakistan
gained independence in 1947 and immediately began fighting over the
region. The region was divided between the two nations with
the northern most portion going to China. Since then the
three nations have fought multiple wars over the territory.
Many residents would prefer Kashmir to be an independent nation rather
than being divided between the warring parties.
This unofficial 2020 dated silver-plated Proof 200 Rupee coin of Jammu
and Kashmir features a Kashmir Stag (also called a hangul) on one side
and the arms of Jammu and Kashmir on the other. It is a
critically endangered species with only a few hundred
remaining. The obverse depicts the arms of Jammu and
Kashmir. The coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
The city of Wu Han in China is believed
to be where COVID-19 began its deadly spread around the
world. Pictured on one side of the unofficial 2020 20 Yuan
coin of Wu Han is a Pangolin, the animal from which the disease likely
spread to humans. Pangolins were sold Wu Han Wet Market for
their meat and their use in Traditional Chinese
Medicine. The other side of the coin depicts the
Yellow Crane Tower in Wu Han. The tower may have had its
origins as early as 223AD. It has been destroyed, rebuilt many times
over the centuries. The present structure was built in
1981. It is 169 feet (51.4m) tall. The eight-sided,
silver-plated coin is 40mm. The coin has a mintage of only
160 pieces and is Proof.
The Natuna Regency is an archipelago of
272 islands located in the south part of the South China Sea.
The islands are controlled by Indonesia. Part of Indonesia's
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Natuna overlaps with
China's "Nine Dashed Lines" claim to most of the South China Sea, which
is based on a map published by China in 1947. There have been
conflicts over fishing in the disputed area and Indonesia has heavily
armed the islands in an attempt to enforce their claims.
Natural Gas deposits in the region may create further
conflicts. One side of this unofficial 2020 dated 5000 Rupiah
coin depicts a Lesser Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus humilis) holding a fish in
its talons. The other side has the Natuna emblem on the chest
of a heraldic Indonesian Garuda Bird. The 39mm silver-plated
proof coin has a scalloped edge. It has a mintage
of only 160 pieces.
Esequibo is a disputed region bordering
the Essequibo river in South America. It is claimed and
controlled by Guyana though is also claimed by Venezuela. The
dispute dates back to the 19th century. In 2006 Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez added an 8th star to the Venezuelan flag to
represent Esequibo. The region contains large oil fields and
makes up a substantial portion of the nation of Guyana. The
obverse of this 2020 dated 20 Guilderro depicts the arms of
Esequibo. The reverse depicts a Toco Toucan. The
unofficial 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160
pieces.
Rotuma is and island and nearby islets
located some 400 miles (645km) north of Fiji. It is controlled by
Fiji. It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which have a
distinct language and culture from other parts of Fiji. In
1987, after the a coup in Fiji A part-Rotuman man named Henry Gibson
announced the independence of Rotuma from Fiji with the creation of the
Republic of Rotuma. He then proclaimed himself King 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 bird is endemic to Rotuma. The
other side depicts the arms of Rotuma. The Proof coin has a mintage of
just 160 pieces.
Awdal is the northwestern most province
of Somaliland. After Somaliland declared
independence from Somalia in 1991, Awdal declared independence from
Somaliland in 1995. The purported new nation, called Awadl
Republic, Awdalland or Awdal State of Somalia, has received little
international support or recognition. One side of this
unofficial 2020 dated 250 Shilin coin of Awdalland depicts a
Secretary bird. The large bird can grow to over 4 feet (1.3m)
in height. The arms of Awdalland are on the other side of the
con. The eight-sided 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a
mintage of 160 pieces.
Bougainville
is a large, mineral rich island controlled by Papau-New
Guinea. Germany claimed the island in the late 19th century
and administered it as part of German New Guinea. It has
remained part of New Guinea ever since, though ethnically and
geographically it is part of the Solomon Islands group. There
has been an on-going independence movement for Bougainville ever since
Papau-New Guinea gained independence in 1975. The movement
wants to establish Bougainville as The Republic of the North
Solomons. In 2019 a referendum was held with over
98% voting for independence. There has been little progress
towards independence since then. The odd shaped coin depicts
the arms of Bougainville, which consists of two armed natives guarding
an upe. An upe is a traditional headdress worn by men to symbolize
their transition to adulthood. The other side depicts a bound
pair of arms breaking free and the dates of the independence
referendum. This unofficial 200 Bou coin is dated
2020. The odd-shaped coin is 40x26mm. The
silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
This attractive 6-sided silver-plated
coin was issued the "Lunar Republic". It is denominated 50
Craters and is dated 2020 C.E. and year 51 of the Lunar Era, which
started with Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in 1969.
One side depicts an American astronaut on the moon. The other
side features the Soviet Lunokhod 1lunar rover which landed on the moon
in November 1970. The rover traveled 10.54 kilometers (6.5
miles) on the surface of the moon over 321 earth days, taking pictures
and conducting experiments. The coin has a mintage of only
160 pieces.
Ghana
released a new 2019 dated 2 Cedis. The bi-metallic coin
features numerous advanced security devices, including latent images on
both sides and micro-lettering along the rim of the reverse.
The obverse features Ghana's coat of arms. The reverse
depicts Jubilee House in Acca, which serves as the presidential palace.
Ascension
Island commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the start of
World War II with this copper-nickel 1 Crown. An airbase was
constructed on the island during the war for patrol
operations. The base was called "wideawake" because of a
nearby colony of noisy terns. The coin features three
soldiers with tanks and war vehicles, ships and Lancaster airplanes in
the background. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.
The 38.6mm coin has a maximum mintage of 10,000 pieces.
One
of NASA's main tracking stations for the Apollo 11 lunar landing
mission and many other missions is located at 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. 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
38.6mm Proof-like
copper-nickel coin has a mintage of just 1969 pieces. 
Niue
released a 2020 copper-nickel 1 Dollar coin depicting a cute Koala and
the Australian flag superimposed on a map of Australia. Above is the
inscription "PRESERVE
PLANET EARTH".
Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. A portion of the proceeds
from
the sale of the coins goes to support the New South Wales Wildlife
Information, Rescue and Education Service (NSW -
WIRES) It
is the largest wildlife rescue & rehabilitation charity in
Australia. All of its animal rescuers and care takers are volunteers.
It was established in 1985, after an injured Australian white ibis was
found in Sydney. No organization, government or conservation group
could be found to take responsibility for its care as none had
experience with native Australian animals. The 38.6mm coin comes in a
presentation pack. It has a mintage of just 2020 pieces.
China
recently released this 2020 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to
commemorate the Year of the Rat. The 27mm coin depicts a cute
mouse,
a palace lantern, and grapes on the obverse. The reverse
features
the
denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design. The large number
10 contains latent images, which change as the coin is moved. 
The
State of Jefferson is a proposed new state made up of rural
areas of northern California and southern Oregon. The
movement
has attracted many conservatives in the area whose opinions and values
are overshowed and outvoted by the more liberal cities in California
and Oregon. The Board of Supervisors in a number of northern
California counties have approved resolutions in support of the
measure. Driving through the region I have seen many signs
supporting the movement. Because of the constitutional
requirements needed to carve out a new state it is unlikely to actually
come to come to fruition. A private mint in Oregon recently
issued this attractive 31.5mm sterling silver coin for The State of
Jefferson. The 2020 dated coin is denominated as 20 Jefferson
Dollars. The obverse features the Great Seal of the State of
Jefferson, which features a gold mining pan with two Xs. The
two
Xs are known as the "Double Cross" and signify the two regions' sense
of abandonment by their state governments. The reverse
depicts a
phoenix, the date, denomination, fineness and the word
"LIBERTY".
The coin has a maximum mintage of only 300 pieces.
The
British Virgin Islands commemorated the 400th Anniversary of the
Mayflower's voyage which brought the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England to
America in 1620. It was a difficult and cramped voyage for
the 102 passengers and about 30 crew members. The first
passengers boarded the 90-foot ship in July 1620. After
several false starts the Mayflower finally arrived in Massachusetts in
November 1620, just as winter was starting. By spring, when
the ship returned to England, almost half of the passengers and crew
had died. The 38.6mm copper-nickel coin features the
Mayflower Ship, with the words “The Mayflower” at the top and “1620 –
2020” at the bottom. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. The
Brilliant Uncirculated coin has a mintage of only 10,000 pieces.
Germany
continued their annual series of 2 Euro coins honoring each of that
country's Länders (states) with this 2020 issue for
Brandenburg. Brandenburg is a state in north-eastern Germany
that surrounds Berlin. The coin depicts the Sanssouci palace
in Potsdam. The palace was built between 1745 and 1747 as a
summer palace for Prussian King Frederick the Great. We offer
the coin individually or the set of all five mints: Berlin, Munich,
Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Hamburg (mint marks A, D, F, G and J).
A
mother Iberian wolf nuzzling her two cubs and the Portuguese arms is on
the obverse of 30mm copper-nickel 2019 dated 5 Euro. Another
wolf is on the reverse. The Iberian wolf is a
proposed subspecies of grey wolf that inhabits the northwest of the
Iberian Peninsula. It is a cute and attractive coin.
Algeria
commemorates its first satellite on this 2019 bi-metallic 100 Dinars
coin. The Alcomsat-1 is a communications satellite that was
developed and launched in China in 2017. It is depicted on
the obverse of the coin. The denomination is on the
reverse. The coin is dated in three different calendar
systems: 2019AD, 1440AH and Berber Year 2969. It is the first
time the Berber Calendar has been used on a coin. The Berber
Calendar is a Julian calendar. It begins computing years from 950BC,
when Shoshenq I, the first Berber Pharaoh of Egypt rose to power.
This
2020 dated silver-plated Proof 20 Texas Dollars coin depicts a
Comanche warrior on horseback holding a rifle side. is featured on this
2020 Republic of Texax coin. The other side depicts the seal of the
Republic of Texas, which was adopted as the Texas state seal. Texas
gained
its independence from Mexico in 1835 and was a sovereign nation until
it became a state of the United States in 1846. Coins were authorized,
none were ever issued by the Republic of Texas during its period of
independence There are some that think that Texas should
again become an independent republic, though the independence movement
has gained few followers.. The 40mm
eight-sided coin has a mintage of just 190 pieces.
Romania
commemorated the 30th
anniversary of the December 1989 Romanian Revolution on
this 2019 dated 50 Bani coin. The revolution which overthrew
the 42 years of communist rule. The obverse shows a young man
holding a Romanian flag without the socialist emblem making a victory
sign. Above him is the arms of Romania. The reverse pictures
a group of men and women atop a tank. 
Cascadia
is a progressive independence movement that 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 the early 19th century. Smallforest,
a
private mint in Oregon, struck two silver coins for Cascadia in 2020
featuring two rarely seen creatures of the Pacific Northwest:
Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot) and Octopus paxarbolis (also known as
the Northwest Tree Octopus). Though there have been reported
sightings of Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest, there is no proof that
it exists. For some reason the photographs come out blurry.
Paxarbolis was created as an internet hoax in 1998 about an endangered
species of tree octopus. It has since taken on a life of its
own. The website is often used as a test of internet literacy
to
see if people can discern fact from fiction on internet. The rare
Paxarbolis is reportedly the favorite food of Sasquatch, which may be
why neither have been actually been found. The Sasquatch coin
is
denominated as 10 Dougies, the Octopus is 8 Dougies. The
Dougie,
named after the Douglas Fir, is the currency of Cascadia.
Both
coins silver coins are 26mm and have a common obverse with "CASCADIA
and the date within a ring of stars. The coins have a maximum
mintage of 100 pieces each.
Mont
Saint-Michel is a tidal island located a few hundred yards (meters) off
the coast of Normandy, France. Its unusual position made it
accessible to pilgrims during low tide, but defensible as the incoming
high tides stranded, drove off, or drowned any attackers. The island
was unconquered by the English during the Hundred Years' War.
Originally built as an abbey, it was later turned into a
prison. In 1874 it was declared an historic monument and has
since become a popular tourist destination, with more than 3 million
visitors a year. This unofficial 2020 dated 500
Francs of Mont Saint-Michel depicts the island and its arms on the
obverse. The reverse portrays Saint Michael the
Archangel. The silver-plated 40mm, eight-sided coin has a
mintage of only 160 pieces and is Proof.
The
giant Coconut crab is features on this unofficial six-sided 2019 dated
200 Rupees coin of Chagos. The Coconut Crab is the largest
land arthropod in the world. It can grow up to 3 feet (1m) in
length from leg to leg and weigh up to 9 pounds (4.1kg.).
Anything left unattended on the ground is a potential source of food
for the crab, which they will investigate and may carry away, hence it
is sometime called the "robber crab". The obverse features
the Chagos coat of arms which features a sea turtle on top of the
Mauritius coat of arms. Ownership of Chagos is disputed between Great
Britain and Mauritius. Great Britain controls the islands and
calls them the British Indian Ocean Territory. In the early
1970’s they evicted the natives on the islands and built a military
base on the island of Diego Garcia. In 2010 Britain
established the world’s largest marine reserve that encompassed the
islands. By creating the reserve, it outlawed fishing in the
area and effectively prevented the natives from ever returning to the
islands. The Proof coin is struck on silver plated brass and
has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
This
unofficial odd shaped 2019 $100 coin was issued for Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is called Kiritimati in the native language of
Kiribati which now controls the atoll. It was given its name
by Captain James Cook who visited the island on December 24,
1777. It was first permanently inhabited in 1882 by workers
in coconut plantations and fishermen. From 1957 to 1962 Great
Britain and the United States conducted numerous nuclear bomb tests on
the island. This odd-shaped 40mm silver-plated Proof coin
depicts the arms of Kiribati on the obverse and a Tropicbird (Phaeton
bird). The unusual coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces. 
To
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the publication of the first
Paddington Bear book the British Royal Mint started a series of
circulating 50 Pence coins depicting that beloved bear at sites around
London. The two 2018 coins feature Paddington Bear at the
train station and at Buckingham Palace. On the two 2019 coins he
appears at the Tower of London and at St. Paul's Cathedral.
All three of the seven-sided copper-nickel coins depict Queen Elizabeth
on the obverse. The coins are Uncirculated, though
may have some minor nicks or bag marks.
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 the collapse of
East Germany and 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
is the Brandenburg Gate. In the German version the "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.
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. 
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 on to 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 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.
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. 
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. 