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RECENT WORLD COIN & CURRENCY ISSUES

NEW GIBRALTAR COINS HONOR NEW CALPE HOUSE IN LONDON

Gibraltar recently issued new designs for their circulating coins.  The eight-coin set includes the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Pence, 1 and 2 Pounds dated 2018 or 2019.  All eight have similar designs, with Raphael David Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and the emblem of New Calpe House on the reverse.  Calpe House is a "home from home" where Gibraltar residents can stay for free when they are sent to London for approved medical treatments.  The New Calpe House opened in June, 2018.  It is in newly restored five-story building on Norfolk Square. Unfortunately, London would only grant a permit for the elevator to go up to the third floor, forcing the infirm patients living on the top two floors to climb the stairs.

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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.

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MINOTAUR ON 2020 CRETE COIN

In Greek mythology the Minotaur as a creature that was part man, part bull.  It was contained the elaborate and confusing Labyrinth on Crete.  The Minotaur is featured on the reverse of this unofficial five-sided 500 Drachmai of Crete.  The obverse features the coat of arms of Crete.  The silver-plated Proof coin is 36mm and has a mintage of just 160 pieces.

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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.

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2019 SILVER COINS OF DOMINICA AND GRENADA

The East Caribbean Central Bank recently issued 2019 dated coins for two of its member nations: Dominica and Grenada.  The Dominica issue features an airplane flying over a map of the island, flowers and a parrot.  The Grenada issue depicts a diver surrounded by a school of fish.  Granada is famous for its spectacular scuba diving, which includes gorgeous coral reefs and an underwater sculpture park.  The coins are denominated as 2 East Caribbean Dollars and are 39mm, 1 troy ounce .999 fine silver.  They utilize the standard East Caribbean Bank obverse which depicts Queen Elizabeth.   The coins have a mintage of 25,000 each and come in a protective capsule.

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SERBIA HONORS TESLA ON 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  and are struck by the Serbian Mint. The 2018 and 2019 issues are struck in .999 fine silver, the 2020 issue is .9999 fine silver.  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 two issues are sold out at the mint and at major distributors. We have a small quantity which we set aside.
   The first issue in the series is a 2018 coin honoring his contributions to the design of the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.  The coin 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 50,000 pieces.
    The third coini n the series is the 2020 dated piece  honoring Tesla's early work with X-rays.  Nikola Tesla was one of the early discoverers of X-rays.  His first X-ray images, which he called shadowgraphs, were done in 1894, a year before Wilhelm Röntgen published his discovery of X-rays in 1895. He was one of the first to recognize some of the benefits of X-rays, such as the finding of foreign objects within a body and the detection of lung diseases.  He was also one of the first to recognize the hazards of X-ray radiation. Unfortunately, most of work was lost when his laboratory burned down in 1895.  The coin has a maximum mintage of 55,000 pieces.
 
Also see:

TESLA HONORED ON YUGOSLAVIAN BANKNOTE

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GIANT TORTOISE ON ALDABRA COIN

Aldabra is the world's second-largest coral atoll. It is part of the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean.  An Aldabra Giant Tortoise is on the reverse of this unofficial 2019 eight-sided 100 Rupees coin of Aldabra.  The tortoise can weigh over 550 pounds (250kg.) and measure over 4 feet (122cm) in length and may live over 200 years.  Judging their age has been a problem as the tortoises greatly out live their human observers.   The tortoises were almost hunted to extinction for their meat in the 19th century.   Today Aldabra is inhabited by dozen scientists who study the areas unique flora and fauna.  The obverse depicts the coat-of-arms of Seychelles, which controls Aldabra. The 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.

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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.

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AUSTRALIA 2020 30th ANNIVERSARY SILVER KOOKABURRA

Australia introduced the silver Kookaburra coin in 1990.  It has become on of the bullion coins in the world due to its attractive design that changes every year. The design always features a Kookaburra. The 1 troy ounce silver coin is denominated 1 Dollar.  The 2020 issue commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Kookaburra.  The obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth and an image of the original 1990 issue.  The reverse features a Kookaburra on a fencepost singing to the rising sun.  The 40.6mm coin is struck in .9999 fine silver and comes in its original mint capsule.  It was struck by the Perth Mint with a "reverse proof" finish and has a mintage of 500,00 pieces.  

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AUSTRALIA 2020 YEAR OF THE MOUSE SILVER DOLLAR

The Perth Mint of Australia recently released the 2020 Chinese New Year silver dollar for the Year of the Mouse. The 40.6mm 1 troy ounce .9999 fine silver 1 Dollar coin depicts two cute little mice nibbling on ears of corn.  Two the right is the Chinese character for mouse and the inscription "MOUSE 2020". The Jody Clark portrait of Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. Both sides are struck with a "reverse proof" finish.  The coin has a mintage of 300,000 pieces and comes in its original mint capsule. Australia's annual Chinese New Year coins have long been popular with collectors in Asia and worldwide.

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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 latent images “¥” 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.    

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SQUARE CHINESE 5 YUAN COMMEMORATES TAISHAN MOUNTAIN

China issued a square 2019 dated 5 Yuan honoring Taishan Mountain, also known as Mount Tai.  For over 3000 years the iconic mountain has been an important aspect of Chinese culture.  Emperors would perform sacrifices and poets would find inspiration on the mountain.   It houses multiple shrines and is associated with a number of Chinese deities.  Today it is a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and a popular tourist destination.  The bronze 30mm coin depicts the Taishan Mountain on one side and the emblem of the People's Republic of China on the other. The design incorporates a number of anti-counterfeiting devices, including a shifting image and a series of tiny dots hidden in two locations in the design.

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ROMANIA HONORS QUEEN MARIA AND THE COMPLETION OF THE GREAT UNION

Maria married Prince Ferdinand of Romania in 1893, after turning down a proposal from her cousin, the future King George V of England.  Maria was noted for being "one of the best-looking and richest princesses in Europe".  She was also one of the smartest and charming.  Ferdinand and Maria became the king and queen of Romania on October 10, 1914, shortly after the start of World War I.   She greatly influenced Romania's policies and politics.  Through her influence Romania joined the Triple Entente (Britain, France & Russia) against Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire).  During the war she served as a nurse aiding wounded soldiers.  After the war she led the Romania delegation to the Paris peace conference of 1919, which resulted in Romania gaining Transylvania, doubling the size of the kingdom and creating the Great Union of Romania.   She was very popular both with her subjects and internationally.  Upon the death of Ferdinand in 1927 she was side-lined then disparaged by her son Carol II who resented her popularity.   She was further disparaged by the communists who ruled Romania until 1989.  Her popularity has since returned.  One side of this 2019 brass 50 Bani depicts Maria and her title "REGINA MARIA".  The other side has an image of Ferdinand and Maria visiting troops on the battlefield, the national arms, date and denomination. 

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ODD SHAPED COIN AKROTIRI & DHEKELIA FEATURES CHAMELEON

Akrotiri and Dhekelia are sovereign British Overseas Territories on the island of Cyprus under the control of the British military. The two areas comprise of about 98 square miles (254 km2) and have a population of about 7,700 Cypriots in addition to some 8,000 British military personnel and their families.  Dhekelia is located on the border between Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus and is used primarily as communications base.   Akrotiri is located on the southwestern portion of Cyprus and contains a major Royal Air Force base.   The obverse of this odd-shaped 2019 dated 5 Pound coin of Akrotiri and Dhekelia depicts Queen Elizabeth and the two lions from the territory's unofficial flag. The reverse features a Mediterranean Chameleon, which can be found in the territory.  This unofficial 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.

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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. 

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PERU COMPLETES ENDANGERED WILDLIFE COIN SERIES WITH A FROG

Peru recently completed their three-year, 10 coin series of 1 Sol coins featuring endangered wildlife of Peru with this 2019 issue depicting the Rana Gigante del Titicaca, also known as the Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius culeus).  The critically endangered frog can weigh over 2 pounds (1 kg.) and have an outstretched length of 20 inches (50cm).  It is only found in Lake Titicaca and rivers that flow into the lake.  Other endangered species found on the coins are the Andean Cat and Yellow-tailed woolly Monkey on 2019 issues. The 2018 issues depict Darwin's Rhea, Jaguar, Mountain Tapir, and the White-winged Guan.  The 2017 issues depict the Spectacled Bear,   Tumbes Crocodile and Andean Condor.  They are all are 25.5mm copper-nickel 1 Sol coins that depict Peru's coat of arms on the obverse. 

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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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THE QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH ALPHABET COIN SET

The British Royal mint released into circulation a series of twenty-six 10 Pence coins, one for each of the letters of the alphabet, each featuring a "Quintessentially British icons".  "A" features the Angel of the North, B is for James Bond, C is for cricket, etc., all the way through Zebra Crossing (a cross walk).  They were released as part of  "The Great British Coin Hunt", to encourage people to look at their change, collect all 26 coins, and hopefully get hooked on coin collecting.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse of all the coins.   
Here is the list of the 26 Quintessentially British Alphabet coins:
A – Angel of the North
B – Bond…James Bond
C – Cricket
D – Double Decker Bus
E – English Breakfast
F – Fish & Chips
G – Greenwich Mean Time
H – Houses of Parliament
I – Ice-Cream Cone
J – Jubilee
K – King Arthur
L – Loch Ness Monster
M – Mackintosh
N – National Health Service
O – Oak Tree
P – Post Box
Q – Queuing
R – Robin
S – Stonehenge
T – Teapot
U – Union Flag
V – Village
W – World Wide Web
X – X Marks the Spot
Y – Yeoman
Z – Zebra Crossing

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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.

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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 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.

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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 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.

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

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