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.
ODD SHAPED COIN OF BRITISH VIRGIN
ISLANDS
The British Virgin Islands issued this unusual 1 Dollar coins in the
shape the dome of the United States Capitol building in 2017. The
struck in an alloy called "nickel-silver" that does not contain any
silver. It
is 55 x 41mm,
has a maximum mintage of 5000 and comes in a custom designed red, white
and blue pouch.
Item
BVI-CAPITOL BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR 2017
U.S. CAPITOL DOME BU
$19.95
BI-COLOR
2021 TITANIUM AND
COPPER NICKEL COINS FEATURE PARROTFISH
British Indian Ocean Territory recently released 2021 bi-color titanium
and copper nickel 2 Pound coins featuring three Parrotfish swimming
among coral. The titanium coin features
yellow-green parrot-fish against a sea-blue
background. The coin is not painted but is anodized
using a special process so that the color is an integral part of the
metal of the coin. It weighs only 10 grams and has a mintage
of only 5000 pieces. The coin comes is housed in a stunning
red box with a Certificate of Authenticity. The
same design, but without color is used on a 38.6mm copper-nickel coin.
The copper-nickel version has a mintage of 10,000 pieces.
Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse of both coins.
Item
BIOT-TIT-PFISH21 BR. INDIAN OCEAN TERR.
TITANIUM 2 POUNDS 2021 PARROTFISH BU
$55.00
Item
BIOT-CN-PFISH21 BR. INDIAN OCEAN TERR.
COPPER-NICKEL 2 POUNDS 2021 PARROTFISH BU
$14.00
UNUSUAL FIBER
COINS FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA
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 these unusual 1 Fen and 5 Fen coins
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
1 Fen struck only a single year; 1945. The 5 Fen was struck
in 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relitively 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-1F MANCHUKUO 1 FEN 1945 Y13a
G-VG $6.00
Item
MAN-5F MANCHUKUO 5 FEN 1944-45 YA13a
G-VG $7.50
UNUSUAL
MULTI-COLOR COINS FROM CORAL SEA REEFS
Bougainville Reef and Flora Reef are Australian territories in the
Coral Sea. They are popular with divers and recreational
fishermen. Bougainville Reef is the home of an unmanned
lighthouse and weather station. Flora Reef is a 4.6 sq. mile
(12 sq.km.) submerged atoll. Unofficial 10 Dollar coins were
issued for these uninhabited locations dated 2017. A laced
moray
eel (Gymnothorax favagineus) in depicted on the Bougainville
coin. The Flora Reef coin features a blue-girdled angelfish
(Pomacanthus navarchus). The obverses of the coins depicts
Queen Elizabeth The odd-shaped silver-plated Proof coins are
46mm x 34mm and has a mintage of only 200 pieces each.
Item
BOUGAINVILLE BOUGAINVILLE REEF 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $22.00
Item
CORINGA CORINGA ISLETS 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $22.00
Item
FLORA FLORA REEF 10 DOLLARS 2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $22.00
WHALE ON
RECTANGULAR GALAPAGOS $8
COIN
A humpback
whale is
pictured this rectangular 8 dollar coin from the Galapagos
Islands. The coin is the first in a series of coins issued
for the isolated islands. The reverse features the arms of
the islands. The islands are famous for their wide array of
unusual wildlife. The Galapagos is a posession of Ecuador. Since 2000
the United States dollar has been Ecuador's official
currency, thus the coin is denominated in U.S. dollars. Like
most odd-ball coins, it is not meant to circulate, and it is not a
legal tender issue. The attractive and unusual coin is struck
in silver-plated brass. It has a mintage of only 3000
pieces.
Item
GALP-8U GALAPAGOS EIGHT DOLLARS, 2008
Br.X9 UNC. $19.50
Item
GALP-8T GALAPAGOS EIGHT DOLLARS, 2008
Br.X9 Heavily tarnished and spotted $7.00
GERMAN POLYMER RING 5 EURO COINS
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
NEW HAMPSHIRE,
NEVADA, UTAH & WYOMING GOLDBACK NOTES
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. The 1 Goldback 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.
The
notes of each state have unique designs. The New Hampishire 1 Goldback
portrays Gratia (Grace) depicted as native Abenaki woman. The
Nevada 1 Goldback features Caritas (charity). The Utah 1
Goldback features Prudentia (prudence) with elements of the Indian
tribes of that state. The Wyoming 1 Goldback note includes
Castle Rock near Green River, a bison, bald eagle and an Indian maiden
labeled "Reverentia".
Item
NH-GOLD1 NEW HAMPSHSIRE 1 GOLDBACK
NOTE
(1/1000 troy ounce
gold) UNC. $7.50
Item
NV-GOLD1 NEVADA 1 GOLDBACK NOTE
(1/1000 troy ounce
gold) UNC. $7.50
Item
UT-GOLD1 UTAH 1 GOLDBACK NOTE, 2020
(1/1000 troy ounce
gold) UNC. $7.50
Item
WY-GOLD1 WYOMING 1 GOLDBACK NOTE
(1/1000 troy ounce
gold) UNC. $7.00
Item
GOLDBACK4 ALL 4 OF THE ABOVE GOLDBACK NOTES
UNC. $27.00
MAJOR
BRITISH WRONG
PLANCHET ERRORS
These
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
INEXPENSIVE OLD GOLD
COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN 
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) XF $79.95
RECTANGULAR GOLD COIN
FROM THE MEIJI
RESTORATION OF JAPAN 
This 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
is approximately 19 x 12mm, 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-GOLD2BU JAPAN GOLD 2 BU,
(1867-1869)
C21d VF $99.75
RECTANGULAR SILVER COINS
OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN
These 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
AN
UNUSUAL OLD JAPANESE COIN
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
KING TUT ON TRIANGULAR COLOR
COIN
To
celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s
tomb Sierra Leone issued this stunning multi-color triangular
"GoldClad" 1 Dollar coin. The coin depicts King Tut’s death
mask in color with hieroglyphics in the background. The
obverse features the coat of arms of Sierra Leone surrounded by
hieroglyphics. The triangular shape represents a
pyramid. The large coin is 56.2mm x 40.7mm and comes in a
presentation pack that includes a Certificate of
Authenticity. It has a limited mintage of only 2,022 pieces.
Item
SL-TUT SIERRA LEONE 1 DOLLAR KING TUT 2022 BU $19.95
TRANSNISTRIA
ISSUES WORLD'S FIRST CIRCULATING PLASTIC 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
Also
See:
MULTI-COLOR COINS
<-- PREVIOUS PAGE
NEXT PAGE
-->
These
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. 
This 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
is approximately 19 x 12mm, 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.
These 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.
To
celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s
tomb Sierra Leone issued this stunning multi-color triangular
"GoldClad" 1 Dollar coin. The coin depicts King Tut’s death
mask in color with hieroglyphics in the background. The
obverse features the coat of arms of Sierra Leone surrounded by
hieroglyphics. The triangular shape represents a
pyramid. The large coin is 56.2mm x 40.7mm and comes in a
presentation pack that includes a Certificate of
Authenticity. It has a limited mintage of only 2,022 pieces.
