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UNUSUAL COINS & NOTES

What strange coins will they come up with next?
Odd shapes, odd sizes, unusual metals, embedded objects, design errors and other unusual stuff.


Somalia 1 dollar 2008 cube shaped coinNEWODD CUBE COIN FROM SOMALIA

This weird cube shaped 1 Dollar coin was issued for the Somali Republic in 2008.  The silver-plated copper-nickel coin is 22mm on each side, weighs a hefty 66 grams (2.3 ounces) and has the Somali coat of arms, date and denomination on one of its faces.  It has a reported mintage of only 500 pieces.
Item SO-CUBE SOMALIA 1 DOLLAR 2008 CUBE UNC. $12.00



WORLD'S THINNEST, BIGGEST, SILVER OPTICAL ILLUSION COINS FROM CHAD

Chad 200 France 30mm 1 gram .999 fine gold plated silver coins: Black Hole, Illusion Room and Common obverseChad 200 France 30mm 1 gram .999 fine silver Proof coins: Black Hole, Illusion Room and Common obverseCase for Chad 1 gram coins
The world's thinnest, biggest optical illusion coins were recently produced for the African nation of Chad.  The 2023 dated 200 Franc coins are only 0.15 mm (0.006 inch) thick yet are 30mm in diameter.  The coins weigh just 1 gram and are made from .999 silver.   They come in a protective display case with Certificate of Authenticity. They are made with high quality, non-digital printing.  One design features "The Black Hole", the other. "The Illusion Room". Each design come in two versions:  gold plated and silver Proof.  Maximum mintage of each is only 999 pieces.  The coins all have a common obverse that includes the Chad coat of arms, denomination and date.

Item TD-HOLE-GOLD CHAD 200 FRANCS 2023 BLACK HOLE, GOLD PLATED $39.75
Item TD-HOLE-PF CHAD 200 FRANCS 2023 BLACK HOLE, SILVER PROOF $39.75
Item TD-ROOM-GOLD CHAD 200 FRANCS 2023 ILLUSION ROOM, GOLD PLATED out
Item TD-ROOM-PF CHAD 200 FRANCS 2023 ILLUSION ROOM, SILVER PROOF out

Click HereClick Here for YouTube video produced by the mint depicting the Illusion Room coins



Click HereClick Here for YouTube video produced by the mint depicting the Black Hole coins




UNUSUAL FIBER COIN FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA

Manchukuo 5 Fen 1944-1945 Red Fiber YA13a Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state carved out of Northeastern China prior to World War II. Due to a severe metal shortage towards the end of the war, it issued this unusual 5 Fen coin struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coins are dated in the year of the reign of Emperor Kang Te of Manchukuo. Kang Te was formerly known as Pu Yi, who was the last Emperor of China until he was deposed in 1911. The Japanese used him as the figurehead leader for Manchukuo. The 5 Fen was struck was struck only two years: 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relatively soft, the coins show considerable wear. These historic World War II coins are some of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.
Item MAN-5F45 MANCHUKUO 5 FEN 1944-45 YA13a AG-G $5.00




SAILBOAT ON ODD-SHAPED COIN OF ISLAS DESVENTURADAS

Islas Desventuradas 5000 Pesos 2023 coin depicts sailboatThe Islas Desventuradas are four remote islands belonging to Chile that are 530 miles (850 km.) off the coast of Chile.   The name translates as the "Unlucky Islands".  The only inhabitants is a garrison of the Chilean Navy located on Isla San Felix.  A 6,600 foot (2000m.) runway runs the entire length of the island.  The unofficial 2023 5000 Pesos of Islas Desventuradas depicts a nereid (sea nymph) riding hippocampus and the coat of arms on the obverse.  A sailboat is on the reverse.  The, unofficial silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 145 pieces.
Item DESVENTURADAS DESVENTURADAS 5000 PESOS 2023 PROOF $24.00



NEWPORCELAIN COINS FROM SAXONY, GERMANY 

Saxony red porcelain 20 Pfennig 1921Saxony red porcelain 2 Mark 1921
These red porcelain coins were made for the German state of Saxony in 1921 by the famous Meissen Porcelain Manufactory.   Each coin bears the Meissen crossed swords trademark. At the time Germany was undergoing major economic upheavals following its defeat in World War I, resulting in severe coin shortages.  Many towns and companies issued their own coins and currency, called notgeld.  Porcelain coins are one of the most unusual forms of notgeld. The 20 Pfennig features grains and a sickle. The 2 Mark pictures an eagle.  The denomination is on the reverse. They are some of the least expensive Meissen porcelain available.
Item SAXONY-20PF SAXONY 20 PFENNIG 1921 RED PORCELAIN UNC. $9.75
Item SAXONY-2M SAXONY 2 MARK 1921 RED PORCELAIN UNC. OUT


GERMAN POLYMER RING 5 EURO COINS

Germany 5 Euro 2018 Subtropical Zone coinGermany 5 Euro 2019 Temperate Zone coin
Germany introduced an innovative new coinage technique with their polymer ring 5 Euro coins. The coins have copper-nickel outer ring and center separated by a colored polymer plastic ring.  The polymer ring is supposed to make the coins almost counterfeit proof.  Due to the difficulty and expense of minting these coins, thus far it has only been used on a few high value coins.  Germany introduced the technology on circulating 5 Euro coins featuring the earth's climate zones.   The coins did not circulate widely as most were quickly snapped up by the public and collectors due to their unique construction.   The subtropical climate zone is featured on the 2018 coin.  It depicts herd of goats under the shade of a tree and a barren landscape and has an orange polymer ring.  The 2019 issue features the temperate climate zone and depicts a rabbit sitting on farmland with forest in the background.  I doubt the farmer is happy about a rabbit eating his crops.  It has a green polymer ring. The obverses include the German eagle, date mintmark, denomination and the 12 stars of the European Union
Item DE-5E-18ST GERMANY 5 EURO 2018-G SUBTROPICAL ZONE UNC. $12.50
Item DE-5E-19TM GERMANY 5 EURO 2018-F TEMPERATE ZONE UNC. $12.50



GOLDBACK NOTES

1 Goldback Aurum gold notes for South Dakota, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Nevada and Utah
Goldback Aurum notes are a voluntary local currency made of 24 karat gold! Each wafer-thin note is coated with a protective plastic coating so it can be circulated without the gold tearing. They are issued in increments of 1/1000 troy ounce of gold in order to allow for small purchases. Each 1 Goldback note contains 1/1000 troy ounce of gold and measures 66x117mm.  The notes are printed on one side only, with intricate multi-color allegorical 19th century style designs.  In 2023 South Dakota became the fifth state to have a Goldback note. The 2023 South Dakota note depicts Pax or Peace as a Lakota Sioux woman in traditional regalia performing the hoop dance.  Also in the design is Bear Butte, a sacred mountain also known as Mato Paha, an eagle, buffalo, wolf, a traditional Cancega drum and a Prairie Crocus.   Also available are the 2023 issues from Wyoming, New Hampshire, Utah and Nevada  and a few prior year issues.  The designs for each state are unchanged year to year.
Item SD-1GOLD23 SOUTH DAKOTA 1 GOLDBACK NOTE 2023 UNC. $7.00
Item WY-1GOLD23 WYOMING 1 GOLDBACK NOTE 2023 UNC. OUT
Item NH-1GOLD23 NEW HAMPSHSIRE 1 GOLDBACK NOTE 2023 UNC. $7.00
Item NV-1GOLD23 NEVADA 1 GOLDBACK NOTE 2023 UNC. OUT
Item UT-1GOLD23 UTAH 1 GOLDBACK NOTE, 2023 UNC. $7.00


MAJOR BRITISH WRONG PLANCHET ERRORS

Great Britain 2 Pence struck on 1 Pence blankThese British 2 Pence coins were struck on 1 Pence blanks! The coins are copper-plated steel and weigh 3.56 grams, which corresponds to the 1 Pence. The coins are slightly out of round and the edges are a bit irregular as is expected on a wrong planchet error. Most likely the 1 Pence blanks got stuck in some minting equipment or bins and did not shake loose until after production had been changed to 2 Pence.  The coins appear to have been struck between 1992 and about 2001.  As might be expected, each piece is different depending exactly how the dies hit the undersized planchet.   Most pieces have the date struck off the planchet.
Item GB-ERROR GREAT BRITAIN 2 PENCE ON 1 PENCE AU $50.00



ITALY GOOFS ON GEOGRAPHY

Italy 1000 Lire 1997 Map Error and Corrected Map
Very rarely does a country make as big of an error as Italy did when they introduced their new bi-metallic 1000 Lire coin in 1997. The new coin was to celebrate the growing unification of Europe by showing a map of Europe.  Unfortunately, there were many errors on the map. The map shows the pre-unification boundaries of Germany - leaving out East Germany.  Denmark and Netherlands were shown as part of Germany. And Luxembourg was left off completely!  After receiving diplomatic protests, Italy introduced a corrected version of the coin. 
Item IT-1000L-ERR ITALY 1000 LIRE 1997 MAP ERROR KM190 UNC. $4.50
Item IT-1000L-CORR ITALY 1000 LIRE 1997 CORRECTED MAP KM194 UNC. out




INEXPENSIVE OLD GOLD COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN  RestockedJapan gold 2 Shu (1860-69)

The Gold 2 Shu (Nishu) was minted from 1860 until 1869. It was one of the last coins issued by the once powerful Shoguns who ruled Japan until 1867.   The rectangular coin is approximately 11.5mm x 6.5mm and struck in an alloy of 23% gold, 77% silver.  Despite being over 150 years old it is one of the least expensive gold coins available to collectors today.
Item JP-AU2SHU JAPAN GOLD 2 SHU (1860-69)  VF $85.00



RECTANGULAR GOLD COIN FROM THE MEIJI RESTORATION OF JAPAN  Restocked

Japan gold 1 BuThis rectangular gold 2 Bu (Ni Bu) was minted in Japan from 1867 to 1869. It was one of the first coins of the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration overthew the highly traditional and once powerful Shogun warlords and restored the Emperor as the center of the Japanese government.  The Meiji restoration was also a modernization movement, that opened Japan to western ideas. A few years after this coin was introduced, Japan adopted western style round coins, so these coins were soon withdrawn from circulation and many were melted.    The coin weighs approximately 3 grams and is struck in .223 fine gold.   It is an interesting and historic gold coin that represents the end of Japan's traditional ways under the Shoguns and the introduction of new ways under the Meiji Restoration.
Item JP-AU2BU  JAPAN GOLD 2 BU (1867-1869)  C21d VF $125.00




RECTANGULAR SILVER COINS OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN Restocked

Japan silver 1 Bu 1837-1868Japan Isshu Gin (1 Shu Silver) 1853-1865These unusual rectangular silver and gold coins were some of the last coins issued by the famous and once powerful Shoguns of Japan. The Shoguns were the military rulers of Japan, who for hundreds of years controlled the island nation.  They were finally forced from power in 1867 due to the pressures of modernization brought about by the United States.  Their militaristic influence continued however, leading to World War II.  The silver 1 Bu (Ichi bu Gin) is approximately 24mm x 16mm.  It was issued from 1837 until 1868. It includes an official countermark on the reverse.  The smaller silver 1 Shu (Isshu Gin) is 14mm x 9 mm and was issued from 1853 until 1865.  The coins are some of the few rectangular coins ever used by any nation in general circulation.  The coins grade Very Fine or better. 
Item JP-AR1BU JAPAN SILVER 1 BU (1837-68) VF-XF $49.95
Item JP-AR1SHU JAPAN SILVER 1 SHU (1853-65) C12 VF-XF $29.95



Japan oblong 100 Mon 1835-1870 C7AN UNUSUAL OLD JAPANESE COIN   Restocked

This large oblong bronze 100 Mon coin of Japan, known as the Tempo Tsuho, was struck from 1835 to 1870, a period of transition in Japan from the long ruling Shoguns to the modernization of the Meiji Restoration. The undated coin's unusual shape and large size has made it a perennial favorite with collectors.
Item JP-100M JAPAN 100 MON OVAL COIN 1835-70 C7 VF $18.00



THE WORLD’S FIRST INTERACTIVE APP GAME COIN FEATURES ANGRY BIRDS

Sierra Leone 1 Dollar 2018 Angry Birds KM460Angry Birds is a popular, fun and addictive video game that can be played on a wide variety of platforms.  The game was first introduced in 2009.  The original game and its revisions have over five billion downloads across all platforms. Full length animated films based on the game were released in 2016 and 2019.   In 2018 Sierra Leone released a multi-color “Angry Birds” coin.  According to Pobjoy Mint it is “the world’s first interactive app game coin”. The design features Red and a special Zapper code that allows you to enter the world of Angry Birds on your mobile phone. The App allows you to interact with the characters and permits you to take selfies with the enchanting characters.  The 38.6mm copper nickel coin is denominated 1 Dollar, has a mintage of only 10,000 pieces and comes in a special pack.  The Sierra Leone coat of arms is on the reverse.
Item SL-ANGRY SIERRA LEONE 1 DOLLAR 2018 ANGRY BIRDS KM460 BU $19.95



TRANSNISTRIA ISSUES WORLD'S FIRST CIRCULATING PLASTIC COINS  Restocked

Transdniestra plastic composite coins   Backs of Transdniestra plastic composite coins
In August 2014 Transnistria (Trans-dniester, Transdniestra, etc.)  released the first circulating plastic coins issued by a national government.  Each of the four composite plastic coins is a different color and a different shape.    The coins issued are the round yellow-brown 1 Ruble depicting General Alexander Suvorov.  The square green 3 Rubles portrays F. P. De Volan.  The blue 5 Rubles is five-sided and depicts Count Pyotr Rumyantsev.  Russian Empress Catherine the Great is on the six-sided pink 10 Rubles. The logo of the Trans-Dniester Republican Bank and the date is repeated across the reverse of each of the coins.  The coins are 26mm to 28mm in diameter luminance when exposed to infrared or ultraviolet rays. It is an interesting and highly unusual coin set.
Item TRNS-PLASTIC TRANSDNIESTRA SET OF 4 COMPOSITE PLASTIC COINS, 1 - 10 RUBLES 2014 UNC. $6.00

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