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RECENT WORLD COIN & CURRENCY ISSUES

LOW MINTAGE GOLD COIN FEATURES MACARONI PENGUIN

This 2020 Proof 4 Pound gold coin of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands has an incredibly low mintage of just 199 pieces.  The 13.92 mm coin contains 1/25 troy ounce of gold.  The coin comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity in a red presentation box.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  The reverse depicts a Macaroni Penguin.  Macaroni Penguins are so named because of the spectacular orange tufted plumes on its head. In 18th century England, a Macaroni was an individual who dressed with flamboyant or excessive ornamentation.


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

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HUNGARY HONORS THE "HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC"

Hungary recently released 2020 dated circulating 10 and 20 Forint commemorative coins honoring the "Heroes of the Pandemic".   Hungary's COVID-19 cases and death rates were well below that of neighboring European nations, though recently there has been a spike in the number of cases.  Both coins have similar designs. The obverses depict the images of those that contributed to control the pandemic formed into the shape of a heart.  The coins have the same reverses as the regular issues which depict the denomination and the Budapest mint mark. 

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CANADA 2020 WORLD WAR II VICTORY 2 DOLLAR COIN

Canada commemorated the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with colored and un-colored versions of this 2020 2 Dollar coin.  The coins have similar reverse designs which were adapted from Canada's World War II era Victory 5 cent coins.  The designs feature a torch and a large "V" in the center. On the outer ring is the inscription "WE WIN WHEN WE WORK WILLINGLY" in Morse code and the words Victory and Remember are in English and French.  At the top are two shifting images of a maple leaf within the line pattern.  The obverse depicts the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

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ANTIGUA & BARBUDA PIRATE SHIP AND DOMINICA HUMMING BIRD

The East Caribbean Central Bank recently released two beautiful 1 troy ounce .999 fine silver coins for two of their member nations.  Both coins are denominated 2 Dollars, dated 2020 and depict Queen Elizabeth on the obverse.  The Antigua & Barbuda silver, 2 Dollar coin depicts an 18th century pirate ship, under full sail, and cannons firing.  The detailed design shows individuals standing on the deck and a dense cloud of smoke pouring out of the ship's gun ports. The Dominica silver, 2 Dollar coin features a hummingbird hovering over flowers.  Both coins have a mintage of only 25,000 each and come in a protective capsule

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AFRICAN PENGUINS ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS COIN

A pair of diving African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are on this unofficial 2020 20 Rand coin of the Prince Edward Islands of South Africa. (Not to be confused with Prince Edward Island of Canada).  The obverse of this six-sided coin features the arms of the islands.   The Prince Edward Islands are two islands belonging to South Africa located 1,099 miles (1,769 km.) south-east of Port Elizabeth. The islands are a Special Nature Reserve and are uninhabited except for visiting scientists.  The islands were often visited by seal hunters in the 19th century, until the seal population was nearly eradicated.  The sealers accidentally introduced mice, whose population quickly multiplied and threatened the bird population.  In 1949 cats were introduced to control the mice population.  The cats controlled the mice, but the cat population soared and then the birds became threatened by the cats.  A cat eradication program was implemented by introducing cats infected with a deadly feline virus. Any remaining cats were shot or trapped.  With the cats gone the mouse population again soared, and the bird population was once again threatened.  Recently a new mouse eradication program was implemented.  The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160.

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SQUIRREL ON 2020 ISLE OF WIGHT COIN

A cute Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is featured on the reverse of this unofficial 2020 dated 5 Pound coin of the Isle of Wight.  The obverse of the eight-sided silver-plated proof coin depicts Queen Elizabeth and the arms of Wight. Only 160 pieces were struck. Wight is a 147 square mile (380 sq.km.) island off the southern coast of England.  It has been inhabited since ancient times.   Queen Victoria had fond childhood memories of the island and made it her favorite location for holidays. That made it a popular tourist destination, which it has remained ever since.  Victoria died there in 1901.  The island is rich in dinosaur fossils. 

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NEW BAHAMAS 3 DOLLAR BILL

Bahamas released a new 3 Dollar bill in 2019 incorporating the numerous anti-counterfeiting devices, including security threadS, color shifting ink, microprinting, ultra-violet images front/back registration and a watermark of Queen Elizabeth. The front includes a map of the Bahamas, a Passion flower and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth.   The back is in a vertical format. It features sailboats, a beach scene and the national arms.  The odd denomination sees little actual circulation so can be difficult to obtain.

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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. 

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NAMIBIA 30 DOLLAR NOTE CELEBRATES NATION'S 30th ANNIVERSARY

Namibia released a polymer 30 Dollar banknote in 2020 to commemorate the nation's 30th anniversary of independence.  The theme of the note is "3 Decades of Peace and Stability"   The note celebrates the peaceful transition of power between the nation's three Presidents during that period and features their portraits on the front of the note.  The note has an image of a rhino in the see through panel on the left and two rhinos on the back of the note.  A series of raised dots in the upper right corner assists the blind.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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 popular for 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.

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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.

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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 it was conquered by the Mughals in 1586. After India and Pakistan gained independence the region was divided between them 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. The coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.

Also see:
OLD COPPER COIN OF MUSLIM KASHMIR - AE KASERAH FATH SHAH 1486-1517

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

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ROTUMA COIN FEATURES NATIVE BIRD

Rotuma is an island controlled by Fiji that is located some 400 miles (645km) north of Fiji.  It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which have a distinct language and culture from Fiji.  In 1987 a part-Rotuman man named Henry Gibson proclaimed the independence of Rotuma and declared himself king of the Republic 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 other side depicts the arms of Rotuma. The Proof coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.

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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.

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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.

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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 1 lunar 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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 final mintage of 220 pieces.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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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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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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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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.    

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

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scale with which to judge image sizes

All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same, however it will be as described.

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Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365
USA

Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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