Joel Anderson, Interesting World Coins

Click Here ON-LINE ORDER FORM
Click Here Alphabetical Listings
Click Here Coins by theme or topic
Click Here New Arrivals
Click Here World Coin Sets List
Click Here Site Map
Click Here Home Page

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  

U.s. Capitol Dome shaped building of the 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



UNUSUAL FIBER COINS FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA  

Manchukuo 1 Fen 1945 Y13a "red fiber"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 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 10 Dollars 2017 Laced Moray EelCoringa Islets 10 Dollars 2017 Longnose butterflyfishFlora Reef 10 Dollars 2017 Blue-girdled angelfishCommon obverse for Coral Sea Reef coins
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

Galapagos rectangular 8 dollar coin picturing a humpback whaleA 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 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



NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEVADA & UTAH GOLDBACK NOTES

1 Goldback Aurum gold notes for 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. 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.
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 GOLDBACK3 ALL 3 OF THE ABOVE GOLDBACK NOTES UNC. $21.00




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



INEXPENSIVE OLD GOLD COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN  Japan 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)  XF $79.95



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




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

Also See:

Click HereMULTI-COLOR COINS


<-- PREVIOUS PAGE    NEXT PAGE -->


Click HereTABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE INTERESTING STUFF CATALOG
Click HereALPHABETICAL LISTING OF COINS AND BANKNOTES IN THE INTERESTING STUFF CATALOG
Click HereWEB SITE MAP & SEARCH ENGINE
Click HereSECURE ON-LINE CREDIT CARD ORDER PAGE     Click Here ORDERING INFORMATION

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.


Please add postage.  California residents include 8.75% sales tax.  3-week return privileges.
Personal checks, Money Orders, (pay to Joel Anderson) VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Paypal ( pay to Joel@JoelsCoins.com ) accepted.

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

CLICK ON THE PAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:
Home Page
Secure 
On-Line
Ordering 
Ordering Information
& Shipping Rates 
Coin & Currency Catalog by Theme
Coins & Currency by Country
World Coin Sets
Coin Books
About Us
Articles
about collecting
Site Map