THE COIN ZOO
COINS WITH ANIMALS
INDEPENDENT
STATE OF ALASKA COIN FEATURES BEAR & MOOSE
The
obverse of this unofficial 2019 5 Dollar coin of the Independent State
of Alaska features a bear and the constellation Ursa Major (large
bear,
also known as the Big Dipper) from the Alaskan Flag. The
reverse features a moose and a map of Alaska. Though Alaska
has long had an independence movement, it has not gained a widespread
following. The six-sided silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just
160 pieces.
Item
ALASKA INDEPENDENT STATE OF ALASKA 5 DOLLARS
2019 PROOF
$19.95
ANDORRA
COIN PICTURES CHAMOIS
The
Principality of Andorra is a tiny nation on the border of France and
Spain that is nominally ruled by the Bishop of Urgell and the President
of France. In 2002 it issued this 27mm aluminum 1 centim
depicting a Pyrenean Chamois (Isard in French, from the local dialect
Izardo) on one side and the Arms of Andorra on the other. The
Chamois was almost hunted to extinction for the production of chamois
leather by the 1940’s, but since then the population has recovered.
Item
AD-1C
ANDORRA 1 CENTIM 2002 KM177 BU $3.00
BEAUTIFUL
BAHAMAS SILVER PROOF COINS
These silver Proof coins from the Bahamas have long been considered
some of the most beautiful and artistic coins of that era.
The 50 Cents depicts a Blue Marlin leaping from the ocean. It
is 29mm and contains .2667 troy ounces of silver. The 1
Dollar features a Conch shell. It is 34mm in diameter and
contains .4666 troy ounces of silver. The popular 2 Dollars
features two flamingos, the national bird of the Bahamas. It
is 40mm and contains .8862 troy ounces of silver. All three
were designed by famed British artist, sculptor and coin and stamp
designer Arnold Machin. The coins dating from 1970 to 1973 depict Queen
Elizabeth is on the obverse. The 1974 and 1975 issues have
the Coat of Arms of the Bahamas on the obverse.
Item
BS-50C-QUEEN BAHAMAS SILVER MARLIN 50 CENTS 1970-73, QUEEN
OBVERSE, PROOF $9.75
Item
BS-50C-ARMS BAHAMAS SILVER MARLIN 50 CENTS 1974-75, COAT OF
ARMS OBVERSE, PROOF $9.75
Item
BS-1D-QUEEN BAHAMAS SILVER CONCH 1 DOLLAR 1970-73, QUEEN
OBVERSE, PROOF $18.00
Item
BS-1D-ARMS BAHAMAS SILVER CONCH 1 DOLLAR 1974-75, COAT OF
ARMS OBVERSE, PROOF $18.00
Item
BS-2D-QUEEN BAHAMAS SILVER FLAMINGO 2 DOLLARS 1970-73, QUEEN
OBVERSE, PROOF $32.00
Item
BS-2D-ARMS BAHAMAS SILVER FLAMINGO 2 DOLLARS 1974-75, COAT OF
ARMS OBVERSE, PROOF $32.00
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.
Item
BAKASSI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF BAKASSI 500
FRANCS 2019 PROOF
$19.95
RARE SHRIMP
ON
COPPER-NICKEL & PINK TITANIUM ASCENSION COINS
Ascension Island depicted Procaris ascensionis, a rare species of
shrimp, on their 2018 copper-nickel and pink titanium 1 Crown
coins. The shrimp are endemic only to two rock pools on
Ascension, the largest is only about 15 feet (4.5m) wide and 18 inches
(45cm) deep. Both versions of the coin have the same design
featuring a pool of the shrimp on the reverse and Queen Elizabeth on
the obverse. The pink titanium version is 36.1mm in diameter, comes in
a box with a Certificate of Authenticity and has a mintage of 7500
pieces. The copper-nickel (CN) version is 38.6mm and has a
mintage of 10,000 pieces.
Item
ASC-TIT-SHRIMP
ASCENSION 1 CROWN 2018 SHRIMP PINK TITANIUM BU
$55.00
Item
ASC-CN-SHRIMP
ASCENSION 1 CROWN 2018 SHRIMP COPPER-NICKEL BU
$14.00
TRIGGERFISH ON TITANIUM AND
COPPER NICKEL COINS OF ASCENSION ISLAND
A Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is featured on purple titanium
and copper-nickel 2019 1 Crown coins of Ascension Island. The large
oval-shaped reef dwelling fish is so named due to its unique spines on
its anterior dorsal fins which are used to lock the fish into a crevice
during the night. The first spine locks and the second spine
unlocks, like a trigger. This prevents predators from pulling
them free or swallowing the fish. Queen Elizabeth is on the
obverse. The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10
grams, has a mintage of 7,500 and comes in a box with a Certificate of
Authenticity. The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm
and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins have the same design and
are Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item
ASC-TIT-TRIG19 ASCENSION 1 CROWN 2019 PURPLE
TITANIUM
TRIGGERFISH. BU out
Item
ASC-CN-TRIG19 ASCENSION 1 CROWN 2019
COPPER-NICKEL
TRIGGERFISH. BU $14.00
AUSTRALIA
2016 YEAR OF THE
MONKEY SILVER
COINS
The
Perth Mint of Australia celebrated the Year of the Monkey with these
two attractive 2016 dated silver coins. Both coins feature
the same design. The reverses depict an adult
monkey and a baby monkey sitting in a peach tree. The baby is holding a
peach, which is symbolic of longevity and immortality. The Chinese
character for ‘monkey’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Monkey’ also
appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’
mintmark. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy
of Queen Elizabeth II. The 1 troy ounce 1 Dollar
coin is 45mm in diameter. The ½ troy ounce 50 cent coin is
36mm in diameter. Both are struck in .999 fine silver and
come in a capsule.
Item
AU-$1MONK
AUSTRALIA 1 DOLLAR 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY, 1
TROY OUNCE SILVER BU
$30.00
Item
AU-50CMONK AUSTRALIA 50 CENTS 2016 YEAR OF
THE MONKEY, 1/2
TROY OUNCE SILVER BU
$18.00
AUSTRALIA
2014 CROCODILE DOLLAR
The
Australian Saltwater Crocodile is featured on the reverse of this 2014
Australian silver dollar coin. The Australian Saltwater
Crocodile is one of the largest reptiles in the world. Males
can reach over 20 feet (6.3m) in length and weigh over 3000 Pounds
(1360 kg). It is capable of taking almost any animal that enters its
territory, including humans. Despite its name, it can be found in
fresh, brackish or ocean water. The obverse features the Ian-Rank
Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The 40.6mm coin
contains 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver. The coin features
a beautiful reverse frosted matte finish. The Queen and the
Crocodile brilliant finish while the background areas have a frosted
finish. The coin was struck at the Perth Mint in Australia
and has a mintage of 1 million pieces. It was the first in an
annual series featuring Australian wildlife.
Item
AU-CROC
AUSTRALIA SILVER 1 DOLLAR 2014 SALTWATER
CROCODILE BU $29.75
ANIMALS
ON ATTRACTIVE
AUSTRALIAN COIN SET
This six coin set from Australia features that nation’s unusual native
wildlife. The 12-sided 50 cents features a kangaroo and emu
supporting the nation’s arms. A duckbill platypus is on the
20 cents. The 10 cents features a lyrebird. A spiny
anteater, also known as an echidna, is on the 5
cents. A frill-necked lizard is on the 2 cents. The
1 cent depicts the tiny feather-tailed glider. All six coins
date between 1978 and 1980 and feature the Arnold Machin portrait of
Queen Elizabeth on the obverse. The coins are Uncirculated.
Item
AU-SET6
AUSTRALIA COIN SET 1-50 CENTS 1978-80
KM62-66,68 UNC. $9.00
Also see:
AUSTRALIA SET OF FIVE 2
DOLLAR 2016 OLYMPIC COINS IN FOLDER, BU
AUSTRALIA 2 DOLLARS
2016
PARALYMPIC GAMES,
UNC.
AUSTRALIA PIONEER BAKERY 1 LOAF
TOKEN,
AUSTRIA 2018
EASTER BUNNY 5
EURO
This
2018 5 Euro coin from Austria celebrates both Easter and the 300th
anniversary of porcelain manufacturing in Vienna. The coin
features a porcelain Easter Bunny designed by Michael Powony around
1930 and produced by Vienna’s famous Augarten Porcelain
Manufactory. Porcelain manufacturing was established in
Vienna in 1718 by Claudius Innocentius du Paquier, a Dutchman who stole
the secret of how to make Porcelain from Meissen. The nine-sided copper
coin is 28.5mm and has a mintage of 200,000 pieces. The
obverse features the arms of each of the nine Austrian federal states
and the denomination.
Item
AT-5E-EAST18 AUSTRIA 5 EUROS 2018 COPPER
EASTER BUNNY UNC. $15.00
AUSTRIA 2018
LION 5 EURO
HONORS NATIONAL LIBRARY
Austria
recently released this attractive 2018 5 Euro coin featuring the
smiling head of a lion. The coin commemorates the 650th
anniversary of the founding of the Austrian National Library.
The design is taken from the oldest book in the library: a
transcription of the four Gospels of the New Testament, written in gold
and encrusted with jewels, done in 1368. The nine-sided
copper coin is 28.5mm and has a mintage of 200,000 pieces.
The obverse features the arms of each of the nine Austrian federal
states and the denomination.
Item
AT-5E-LION18 AUSTRIA 5 EUROS 2018
LION, COPPER
UNC. $15.00
BRASS ELEPHANT
COIN FROM THE BELGIAN CONGO
This brass 1 Franc coin of the Belgian Congo (now the
Congo Democratic Republic)
features a striding elephant. First issued in 1944, during
World War II, it was also struck in 1946 and 1949. It is
19.2mm in diameter. The coin is always popular with coin
collectors and elephant lovers.
Item
BECON1F BELGIAN CONGO 1 FRANC 1944-49
ELEPHANT KM26 Fine $3.00
2017 SEALS
FROM BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY
A Crabeater Seal is featured on a copper-nickel 2 Pounds and a blue
titanium 2 Pounds 2017 coins of the British Antarctic
Territory. Both coins have the same design
featuring a mother seal
and her pup resting on the pack ice while the father leaves to
hunt.. Despite its name does not feed on crabs. Its
diet does include other crustaceans such as Krill which the seal, with
their specially adapted sieve like teeth, are very proficient at
hunting. The Crabeater Seal is by far the world’s most abundant seal
and there are well over 7 million individuals. They can reach
speeds of 16 mph (26kph) on land over short distances. In the water
they can swim at speeds of up to 7mph (12kmh) and cover over
37 miles (60km) in a day. They congregate on the ice in groups of up to
1,000 individuals and in the water can be found swimming in unison in
groups of several hundred.
The copper-nickel 2 Pound coins are 38.6mm in diameter and have a
mintage of 10,000 each. The titanium 2 Pounds is 36.1mm, has
a mintage of 7,500 pieces and comes in a presentation box with a
Certificate of Authenticity.
Item
BAT-TI-SEAL17 BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY 2
POUNDS 2017 CRABEATER SEAL BLUE TITANIUM, BU $59.00
Item
BAT-CN-SEAL17 BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY 2
POUNDS 2017 CRABEATER SEAL COPPER-NICKEL, BU out
RED FOOTED BOOBY
ON TITANIUM
AND COPPER NICKEL COINS OF BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
The Red Footed Booby is a large sea bird, which as the name suggests,
has red feet. They are powerful and agile flyers that can
dive into the sea at high speed in order to catch small fish and
squid. Its take-off and landing skills however leave a lot to
be desired. A mother Booby and her chick are featured on
these 2019 dated 2 Pound coins of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The coin was minted in both red titanium and copper-nickel with
identical designs. The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10
grams, has a mintage of 7,500 and comes in a box with a Certificate of
Authenticity. The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm
and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins are Brilliant
Uncirculated.
Item
BIOT-TIT-BOOB19 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
2 POUNDS 2019 RED TITANIUM, BOOBY BU $49.00
Item
BIOT-CN-BOOB19 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
2
POUNDS 2019 COPPER-NICKEL BOOBY BU
$14.00
BRITISH
INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY SEA LIFE COINS IN TITANIUM &
COPPER-NICKEL
The
British Indian Ocean Territory consists of the 55 islands of the Chagos
Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It is the home of some of the world’s
cleanest oceans and has a vast array of marine wildlife. In
2018 the
British Indian Ocean Territory featured two giant species, the Manta
Ray and the Coconut Crab, on coins struck in both titanium and
copper-nickel. The Manta Ray is a gentle giant of the ocean,
reaching
as much as 23 feet (7 meters) across and weighing almost 3000 pounds
(1350 kg.). They are harmless to humans and feed on
microscopic
zooplankton. The coin shows a Manta Ray skimming above the coral
covered ocean floor followed by a group of Remoras. The Coconut Crab is
the world’s largest Land Arthropod and an incredibly impressive looking
crab. It can weigh over 9 pound (4kg.) and its leg span can
reach over
3 feet (1 meter). It can live over 60 years. They are found
throughout
Indonesia, Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific. Although their name
suggests that they primarily feed on Coconuts, this is not the case and
coconuts make up as small proportion of their diet. They can however be
found climbing the Coconut Palms and occasionally using a broken
coconut shells as protection. Recent footage has shown a coconut crab
hunting a Sea bird! Once they get hold of the bird, their powerful
claws easily break the bird’s wings and then more crabs that smell the
kill will descend on the defenseless bird! Coconut crabs have been
extensively hunted on islands where there is a human population as
their flesh is considered both a delicacy and an aphrodisiac. When the
tables are turned and they manage to pinch a human, they can cause
considerable pain and will not release their grip for a long time. One
technique used to free someone from their powerful grip is to tickle
their underbelly! The coin shows two large coconut crabs, one
on the
ground feasting on the flesh of a coconut and the other climbing a
coconut palm. The 2018 dated coins are denominated as 2
Pounds and
come in two metals. The Titanium coins are 36.1mm, weigh just
10 grams
(about a third of an ounce), have a mintage of 7,500 pieces each and
come in a capsule in a presentation box with a Certificate of
Authenticity. The Manta Ray titanium coin is dark
blue,
while the Coconut Crab is struck in golden-brown titanium..
Because of the way
the metal
reacts and technical difficulty in striking titanium, the color of each
coin is slightly different. The copper-nickel coins are
38.6mm, weigh
28.28 grams and have a mintage of 10,000 each. Queen
Elizabeth is on
the obverse of all the coins.
Item
BIOT-TIT-RAY18 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
2 POUNDS 2018 DARK BLUE TITANIUM MANTA RAY BU $59.00
Item
BIOT-CN-RAY18 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY 2
POUNDS 2018 COPPER-NICKEL MANTA RAY BU out
Item
BIOT-TIT-CRAB18 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
2 POUNDS 2018 BROWN TITANIUM COCONUT CRAB BU $59.00
Item
BIOT-CN-CRAB18 BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
2 POUNDS 2018 COPPER-NICKEL COCONUT CRAB BU out
FLAMINGO
COIN FROM BRITISH
VIRGIN ISLANDS
The British Virgin Islands released a 2015 dated copper-nickel 1 Dollar
coin
featuring flamingos. The attractive
coin depicts a flamingo wading in shallow water, with some of its
favorite snacks shown just below the surface. A flock of
flamingos is in the background and the bright sun
overhead. The 38.6mm copper-nickel coin depicts the Ian
Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen
Elizabeth is on the obverse.
Item
BVI-CN-FLAMINGO
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 1 DOLLAR 2015 FLAMINGO,
COPPER-NICKEL, BU
$14.00
SHARKS
ON 2016 TITANIUM COINS OF BRITISH VIRGIN
ISLANDS
The British Virgin Islands released 2016 coins depicting two
different sharks: the Lemon Shark and the Great White Shark. The Lemon
Shark is a stocky and powerful animal often found in shallow
subtropical waters. The shark’s yellow coloring serves as a
perfect camouflage when swimming over the sandy sea floor of its
coastal habitat. The Great White Shark is a species of large
shark which can be found in the coastal waters of all the major
oceans. The lifespan of great white sharks is estimated to be
as long as 70 years or more making it one of the longest lived fish
currently known. It has no natural predators other than the
Orca. The coin shows an underwater scene looking up at the
Great White Shark. Both designs were struck in colored
titanium. The titanium coins are
denominated as 5 Dollars, are 36.1mm in diameter, but weigh only 10
grams (about a third of an ounce). They have a
mintage of only 5000 pieces each and come in a capsule and presentation
box with a Certificate of Authenticity. The Lemon Shark coin
is struck in yellow titanium. The Great White Shark is struck
in Turquoise Titanium. Queen Elizabeth is on the
obverse.
Item
BVI-TI-LEM16
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 5 DOLLARS LEMON SHARK 2016 YELLOW
TITANIUM
BU $59.00
Item
BVI-TI-WHITE16
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 5 DOLLARS GREAT WHITE SHARK 2016
TURQUOISE TITANIUM
BU $59.00
BEAUTIFUL
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 2017 WILDLIFE COINS
The British Virgin Islands released attractive new 2017 1 Dollar coins
featuring native wildlife. One depicts a hummingbird.
The
other features a Marlin leaping from the ocean. The 38.6mm
copper-nickel coins have a mintage of just 10,000 each.
Queen Elizabeth is on the
obverse. The coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item
BVI-CN-HUMM17 BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR
2017
COPPER-NICKEL HUMMINGBIRD, BU out
Item
BVI-CN-MARLIN17 BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR
2017
COPPER-NICKEL MARLIN, BU $14.00
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.
Item
BVI-TIT-PORC19 BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 5 DOLLARS
2019 PORCUPINE FISH, TITANIUM, BU
$49.00
Item
BVI-CN-PORC19 BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR 2019
PORCUPINE FISH, COPPER-NICKEL, BU
$14.00
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.
Item
BVI-CN-UNA BRITISH VIRGIN IS. COPPER-NICKEL 1
DOLLAR
2019 UNA & THE LION, BU
$14.00Item
BVI-AR-UNA BRITISH VIRGIN IS. SILVER 1
DOLLAR
2019 UNA & THE LION, BU
$27.00
THE
CANADIAN FLYING
GOOSE SILVER DOLLAR
This attractively designed Uncirculated Canadian Silver Dollar portrays
a Canadian Goose in flight. It was struck to commemorate the Centennial
of the
Canadian Confederation and was the last circulating Silver Dollar
issued by
Canada. The Brilliant Uncirculated 36mm coin is struck in .800 fine
silver and
contains .6 troy ounces of silver
Item
CA-GOOSE
CANADA 1 DOLLAR 1967 CENTENNIAL - GOOSE KM70 BU $18.75
SILVER
EIGHT DOLLAR COIN FROM CANADA FEATURES POLAR BEAR
Canada
issued this silver 8 dollar coin in 2013. The unusual
denomination coin contains 1.5 troy ounces of .9999 fine
silver. The thick, 38mm coin depicts a polar bear walking on
an ice flow on one side and Queen Elizabeth on the other. It
is an attractive, odd denomination coin.
CA-$8 CANADA 8 DOLLARS 2013, POLAR BEAR KM1535
BU $59.50
DEATHSTALKER
SCORPION ON CHAD SILVER COIN
A
Deathstalker Scorpion is depicted on the reverse of this attractive
2017 silver 500 Francs con from the African nation of Chad. Though only
about 2 inches (5 cm) long, its sting can kill a human. Its venom
however has shown promise in treating cancer and diabetes, which are
two of the major causes of death in humans. There seems to be a bit of
a paradox in that. The obverse depicts the national arms of
Chad. The 39mm legal tender coin is struck in .999 fine
silver and has a mintage of only 50,000 pieces. The coin has
a beautiful Proof-like finish and comes in a protective capsule.
TD-SCORPION CHAD 500 FRANCS 2017 DEATHSTALKER SCORPION, PROOFLIKE $32.50
LEOPARD ON
CONGO DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC COIN
A
leopard, crouching on a tree limb and about to pounce, is featured on
this 1976 10 Sengi coin from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. The 17mm aluminum coin has the date and denomination
on the obverse.
Item
CD-10S CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 10 SENGI
1967 KM7
UNC. $3.00
ODD
MULTI-COLOR COINS OF CATO ISLAND & DIANE BANK
Cato Island and Diane Bank are Australian territories in the Coral
Sea. Unofficial 10 Dollar multi-color quarter-circle wedge
shaped Proof coins dated 2017 were issued in 2018 for these remote
locations. The obverses portray Queen Elizabeth.
The reverses depict multi-color images of native sea life. These
odd-shaped silver-plated Proof coins are 46mm x 34mm and have a mintage
of only 150 pieces each.
Cato Island
is at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. In 2004 it
was declared to be the capital of the "Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the
Coral Sea Islands", a micronation that that was created in response to
Australia's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. The Kingdom
declared war on Australia and was ignored by Australia. The
Kingdom dissolved in November 2017 after Australia recognized same-sex
marriages. The coin has a color image of a Sea Goldie
(Pseudanthias squamipinnis). The Sea Goldie is a protogynous
hermaphrodite; a male retains a harem of five to 10 females, but when
the male dies, one of the females will undergo sex reversal and take
the place of the missing male.
The uninhabited
Diane
Banks is a mostly sunken atoll that is popular with divers
and fishermen due to the
abundance of sea life. The coin pictures a Great Hammerhead
Shark (Sphyrna mokarran). The shark is heavily fished for its
large fins, which are extremely valuable on the Asian market as the
main ingredient of shark fin soup. As a result, Great Hammerhead
populations are declining substantially and it has been classified as
an endangered species.
Item
CATO CATO ISLAND 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $22.00
Item
DIANE DIANE BANKS 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF out
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. Both are
multi-color quarter circle wedge shaped coins. 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 $25.00
Item
CORINGA CORINGA ISLETS 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $25.00
Item
FLORA FLORA REEF 10 DOLLARS 2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $25.00
Item
SHARK SHARK REEF 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF $25.00
Item
CORALSEA4 ALL 4 of the above 10 DOLLARS
2017,
MULTI-COLOR PROOF COINS $95.00
CAMELS FROM DJIBOUTI
Djibouti
is strategically located between the Red Sea and the Gulf of
Aden. It is an important transshipment point and is home of
United States, French, Chinese, Japanese and Italian military or
support bases. It achieved independence from France in
1977. This attractive 30mm copper-nickel Djibouti 100 Francs
depicts a pair of camels. Camels were a traditional export
and mode of transportation in the region. The obverse
features the arms of Djibouti, which include two machetes, a spear and
a shield.
Item DJ-100F
DJIBOUTI 100 FRANCS 2004 KM26 BU
$4.50
EAST AFRICA COINS FEATURES LION
A
walking lion is featured on these two coins of East Africa. East Africa
was a currency board for the British colonies in East Africa that later
became the independent nations of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and
Somaliland. The 21mm copper-nickel 50 Cent (Half Shilling)
and 27.8mm copper-nickel 1 Shilling both feature the same
design. British King George VI is on the obverse.
The coins date from 1948 to 1950
Item
EASTAF-SET2
EAST AFRICA 50 CENTS & 1 SHILLING
1948-1950 KM30 & 31 VG-Fine
$3.00
CROCODILE FROM
GAMBIA
A
slender-snout crocodile is featured on the reverse of this seven-sided
1 Dalasi coin from The Gambia. The incredibly shy species inhabits
rivers in western Africa and can grow up to 14 feet (4.2m) in length.
The obverse features Dawda Jawara who ruled Gambia from 1962 until he
was overthrown in 1994.The Gambia is a small, long, narrow nation that
borders both sides of the Gambia River and is almost completely
surrounded by Senegal. It is smallest country on the African mainland
with an area of 4,127 square miles (10,689 km2), which is about the
size of Jamaica. The attractive 38.8mm coin is struck in
copper-nickel.
Item GM-1D
GAMBIA 1 DALASA 1987 KM29 CROCODILE UNC.
$4.50
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.
Item
INACCESSIBLE BINACCESSIBLE ISLAND 10 POUNDS
2019 PROOF $19.95
PIGS
& CHICKENS FROM IRELAND
This
two-coin set from Ireland includes the 1/2 Penny depicting a sow and
her piglets and a Penny depicting a hen and her chicks. Both coins are
bronze and both feature an Irish Harp on the obverse. The
designs were selected by a committee headed by Irish poet William
Butler Yeats. The 1/2 Penny is dated 1966 and the Penny is
dated 1964. Both are Uncirculated.
Item
IE-SET2 IRELAND 1/2 & 1 PENNY
1964-66 KM10 &
KM11 UNC. $4.50
KITTY CATS ON PARADE
From 1988 to 2016, the Isle of Man (home of the Manx cat) issued
a 1 Crown coin featuring a different breed of cat. Queen Elizabeth is
on the obverse of the coins. The series apparently came to an
end
in 2016 when the Pobjoy Mint lost the contract to strike coins for the
Isle of Man. The 38.6mm copper-nickel coins are popular with
both
cat lovers and coin collectors.
The coins are pictured in order starting with the latest issue in the
top left going down to the
the
first 1988 issue at the bottom. Hold
your
pointer over the coin to see which the cat and the year.
Item
IOM-CAT16
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2016 HAVANA BROWN CAT
&
KITTEN, BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT15
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2015 SELKIRK REX CAT
&
KITTEN, BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT14
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2014 SHOWSHOE CAT
&
KITTENS, BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT13
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2013 SIBERIAN CAT
&
KITTEN, BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT12
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2012 MANX CAT &
KITTEN, BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT11
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2011 TURKISH ANGORA CATS
KM1440 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT10
ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2010
ABYSSINIAN CAT & KITTEN, KM1426 BU $16.00
Item
IOM-CAT09 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2009
CHINCHILLA
CAT & KITTEN, KM1378.2 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT08 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2008 BURMILLA
CAT & KITTEN, KM1424 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT07 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2007 RAGDOLL
CATS BU
KM1307.1 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT06 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2006 EXOTIC
SHORTHAIR KITTENS KM1290a BU $16.00
Item
IOM-CAT05 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2005 HIMALAYAN
CATS KM1266 BU $16.00
Item
IOM-CAT04 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2004 TONKINESE
KITTENS KM1246 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT03 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2003 BALINESE
KITTENS KM1165 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT02 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2002 BENGAL CAT
& KITTEN KM1111 BU
$14.00
Item
IOM-CAT01 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2001 SOMALI
KITTENS KM1072 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT00 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 2000 SCOTTISH
KITTEN
PLAYING WITH WORLD KM1056 BU
$14.00
Item
IOM-CAT99 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1999 BRITISH
BLUE CAT KM966 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT98 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1998 BIRMAN CAT
KM857 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT97 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1997 LONG
HAIRED SMOKE CAT KM774 BU
$14.00
Item
IOM-CAT96 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1996 BURMESE
CAT KM621 BU $14.00
Item
IOM CAT95 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1995 TURKISH
CAT KM446 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT94 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1994 JAPANESE
BOBTAIL CAT KM380 BU
$16.00
Item
IOM-CAT93 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1993 MAINE COON
CAT KM355 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT92 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1992 SIAMESE
CAT KM332 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT91 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1991 NORWEGIAN
CAT KM292 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT90 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1990 ALLEY CAT
KM275 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT89 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1989 PERSIAN
CAT KM250 BU $14.00
Item
IOM-CAT88 ISLE OF MAN 1 CROWN 1988 MANX CAT
KM245 BU $14.00
SPECIAL - GET
ALL 29 OF THE ABOVE ISLE OF MAN CAT COINS AND SAVE!
(The set is not packaged, each
coin comes in its own envelope)
Item
IOM-CATALL29
SET OF ALL 29 ISLE
OF
MAN CAT
CROWNS, 1988-2016 BU
$375.00
GIRAFFES
& HORSE
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.
Item
KHATUMO KHATUMO 1000 SHILIN 2019 PROOF $22.00
OLD,
UNCIRCULATED ELEPHANT HALF CENT FROM LIBERIA
A
striding elephant is featured on the obverse of this Uncirculated 1941
1/2 Cent coin from Liberia. The reverse features the arms of
Liberia which includes an African oil palm, sailing ship and the rising
sun. The 18mm coin was struck in the United States at the
Philadelphia mint and has a mintage of 250,000 pieces.
Liberia
was settled by freed American slaves starting in 1822. In
1847
they formed the Republic of Liberia, Africa's first republic.
Its
government and flag was modeled after that of the United
States.
It is
an attractive old, high-grade animal coin at a reasonable price.
Item LR-10
LIBERIA 1/2 CENT 1941 KM10a BU $3.00
MACEDONIA
WILDLIFE COIN SET
This
attractive four coin set from Macedonia features wildlife. The 1993 50
Deni features a seagull in flight. The 1997 1 Dinar shows a Yugoslavian
sheep dog. A leaping trout is on the 2001 2 Denari and a lynx is on the
2001 5 Denari. The reverse of the coins feature the denomination and a
16-ray sun symbol that supposedly was used by Alexander the Great. All
four coins are struck in brass and are Brilliant
Uncirculated.
Item
S-MK-SET4
MACEDONIA 4 COIN SET, 50 Deni - 5 Denari 1993-2001 KM1-4 UNC.
$6.00
MALACCA FIGHTING COCK
TOKEN
The
origins of the cock or rooster token is a bit obscure.
The copper 1 Keping tokens were minted in England for merchants in
Singapore for
use in
Malacca and other parts of Malaya. The Standard Catalog of
World Coins lists them under Malay Peninsula - Malacca, though other
references sometimes catalog them under Singapore. The
obverse of the 21mm copper token features a fighting cock and the
legend "the land of the Malays" in Malaysian. The reverse has
the denomination and the AH date 1247 which corresponds to
1831AD. The tokens circulated widely around Singapore and
Malaya until the introduction of Straits Settlements coinage in
1845.
Item MALACCA8 MALACCA 1 KEPING AH1247=1831AD
ROOSTER KM8variety VG-F $12.00
2017 BI-METALLIC
MALDIVES COIN FEATURES SEA-SHELL
Maldives
recently released a redesigned 2017 dated 2 Rufiyaa coin featuring a
Triton’s Trumpet shell. The large shell can reach up to 2
feet (60cm) in length. The 25.5mm bi-metallic coin has a nickel-plated
steel center and a nickel-brass ring. Maldives is a chain of
26 low lying atolls spanning about 115 square miles (300 sq.km.) in the
Indian Ocean. It is one of the world’s lowest
countries. Its highest point is less than 8 feet (2.4 meters)
above sea level.
Item
MV-2R MALDIVES 2 RUFIYAA 2017,
UNC. $4.50
PRETTY
MULTI-COLOR SILVER COIN DEPICTS AN UGLY ANIMAL
This
sterling silver Proof Mongolian 500 Tugrik depicts a multi-color image
of a Mongolian Saiga Antelope (Saiga Tatarica Mongolica). The
horned animal features an overly-large distinctive nose.
During summer the huge nose helps filter out dust and cools the
animal's blood. In winter it heats up the frigid air before it is taken
to the lungs. The animal has had vast swings in its
population. During the last ice-age it ranged from the
British Isles, through Central Asia and into Alaska and the
Yukon. By the 1920’s it was almost exterminated, however it
was able to recover by the 1950’s. The population collapsed
again after the fall of the Soviet Union due to uncontrolled hunting
and the demand for its horns in Chinese medicine. Disease has
taken a further toll and today it is Critically
Endangered. The 2011 dated coin features the arms
of Mongolia and the denomination on the obverse. The 38.61mm
coin weights 25 grams and has a mintage of just 2500 pieces.
It comes in a capsule with a certificate of
Authenticity. It is an attractive coin depicting an
ugly animal.
Item MN-SAIGA
MONGOLIA 500 TUGRIK 2011 MONGOLIAN SAIGA
KM315 PROOF
$49.75
RARE
KAGU BIRD ON FIRST COIN OF NEW CALEDONIA
In
1949 the French colony of New Caledonia issued its first coins.
France took possession of the Pacific islands in 1853, after
the natives ate a group of French missionaries and members of a French
survey team. The following year France established a penal
colony there. The first coins for New Caledonia were not
until almost 100 years late, in 1949. One of the first coins
issued was this aluminum 50
Centimes. The coin features a seated figure of
Maranne, the national symbol of France on the reverse, and a Kagu bird
on the obverse. The Kagu is a rare, nearly flightless bird
that is only found in New Caledonia.
Item
NC-1
NEW CALEDONIA 50 CENTIMES 1949 KM1 UNC. $3.00
UNUSUAL SEA SLUG ON RECTANGULAR SOLANDER ISLAND COIN
The
Solander Islands
are
a small chain of
uninhabited islands just south of New Zealand. They were
sighted by Captain Cook in 1770 and named after Dr. Daniel Solander, a
Swedish naturalist who was part of the crew. The islands have
had only been briefly inhabited shipwrecks or marooning. It
is the home to a number of rare plants and
birds. The unoffical Solander 10 Dollar coin depicts
a
Glaucus marginatus, which is a species of small, blue sea
slugs. They float upside down on the surface of tropical seas
and eat Portuguese man o’ wars. The coin has a mintage of
just 150 pieces.
Item
SOLANDER SOLANDER ISLANDS 10 DOLLARS 2017,
SEA SLUG
PROOF $22.00
ATTRACTIVE
NIUE DOLLAR DEPICTS SWORD FISH
This
attractive 38.6mm copper-nickel 1 Dollar coin from the Pacific Island
nation of Niue depicts a Sword Fish on the reverse and Queen Elizabeth
on the obverse. Captain James Cook named the island Savage
Island in 1774, because of the hostility of the natives.
British missionaries began to arrive in the 1830’s and eventually the
islanders were converted to Christianity. Today Niue is a
self-governing nation that is in association with New Zealand, which
handles its defense and foreign affairs. The British monarch is the
head of state. It has a population of less than 3000 and an area of
about 100 square miles.
Item
NU-1D10 NIUE 1 DOLLAR 2010 BU $12.00
20th
ANNIVERSARY PAPUA-NEW GUINEA MINT SET FEATURES WILDLIFE
The Bank of Papua New Guinea released this official 6 coin packaged
mint set to celebrate the countries 20th anniversary of independence in
1995. The 1995 dated coins feature native wildlife.
The 1 Kina features Sea and River Crocodiles swimming around the center
hole of the coin. A Cassowary, a large flightless bird, is on
the 20 Toea. The 10 toea shows a cuscus, a large marsupial
"monkey". A Plateless Turtle is on the 5 Toea. The
2 Toea shows the ornate butterfly cod fish and a Butterfly is on the 1
Toea. The reverse of each of the coins features an
outstretched Bird of Paradise, which is the natinal emblem of the
country. The Brilliant Uncirculated coins were struck Royal Canadian
Mint and come in a descriptive folder.
Item
PNG-SET95 PAPUA NEW GUINEA OFFICIAL 1995 SIX
COIN WILDLIFE MINT SET $14.00
PAPAU
NEW GUINEA
CROCODILE KINA
The
Papau New Guina 1 Kina features a Salt Water Crocodile and a River
Crocodile chasing each other around the center hole of the coin.
The obverse features the national crest of Papau New Guinea.
The 38.6mm nickel plated steel coin is dated 2004 and is
Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item
PNG-1K PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1 KINA 2004 CROCODILE
KM6a UNC.
$3.00
POPULAR POLAND WILDLIFE COINS
Poland regularly
issues a 27mm
“Nordic gold” (brass alloy) 2
Zlote
honoring native endangered wildlife. The
attractive coins are always popular with collectors.The
2014 issue features the Konik Horse. The Konik Horse is a small, hardy,
semi-feral horse that originated in Poland. The European
Bison (Zubr) is on the 2013 issue. The European Bison was
hunted to
extinction in the wild in the early 20th Century. Since then
it has been reintroduced from captivity. In the past,
especially during the Middle Ages, it was commonly killed for its hide,
and to produce drinking horns. No wildlife coins
were issued for 2012. The 2011
issues featurew the European Badger. The 2010
issues feature the Lesser Horse-shoe
Bat. It is one of the world’s smallest
bats, weighing only 5 to 9 grams (less than a third of an ounce) and is
less
than a 44mm long (under 2 inches). The 2008 issue honors the
Peregrine Falcon.
Item
PL-2Z14-HORSE
POLAND 2 ZLOTE 2014 KONIK HORSE, Y896 UNC.
$3.00
Item
PL-2Z13-BISON
POLAND 2 ZLOTE 2013 EUROPEAN BISON, Y878 UNC. $3.00
Item
PL-2Z11-BADGER
POLAND 2 ZLOTE 2011 BADGER Y762 UNC. $3.00
Item
PL-2ZBAT10
POLAND 2 ZLOTE 2010 HORSESHOE BAT Y723 BU
$3.00
Item
PL-2ZFALCON08
POLAND 2 ZLOTE 2008 PEREGRINE FALCON Y627 BU
$3.00
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.
Item
ST-SET17 ST. THOMAS & PRINCE 5 COIN
BIRD SET, 10
CENTIMOS - 2 DOBRAS 2017 UNC.
$13.50
KING
CHARLES III ON COINS
FOR SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND &
WALES
Though Prince Charles is not yet King, undated, multi-colored
unofficial pattern 2 Pound coins were issued for
Scotland and Northern Ireland. One side of the coins depicts
the outline of the
bust
of Charles wearing the royal crown, his royal cipher and the arms of
the country in color. The other side depicts the national
flower and a bird in color, along with the denomination. The
Scotland coin depicts a Scottish thistle and a Golden Eagle. The
Northern Ireland coin features a shamrock and a Eurasian
wren. The 40mm
coins are struck on silver plated brass with Proof finish.
Only 250 of each of the
coins were minted.
Item
SCOT2 SCOTLAND 2 POUNDS COIN (2016) PROOF $24.00
Item
NO-IRE2 NORTHERN IRELAND 2 POUNDS COIN
(2016)
PROOF $24.00
SOMALILAND
COIN
SET
After
the collapse of the
government of
Somalia
in the 1990's, the northern portion of the
country, once known as British Somaliland, declared independence.
Despite the lack of international recognition, it has one of the better
functioning
governments in Africa. This set contains
five coins
of Somaliland. The 1994 aluminum 1 Shilling depicting a
Somali Pigeon
was the first ever coin issued by Somaliland. Sir Richard R.
Burton,
the 19th century
explorer
and
writer who explored the area, is portrayed on the 2002 alumium 5
Shilling coin. A mother and
baby
Elephant is the 2005 aluminum 5 Shilling. A monkey is on
the brass 2002 dated 10
Shilling coin. A greyhound dog is on the 2002 stainless steel
20
Shilling
coin. The denomination is on the reverse of each
coin. It is an
interesting and attractive set from a successful but unrecognized
break-away republic.
Item
SOML-SET5 SOMILILAND 5 COIN SET, 1994-2005,
1-20 SHILLINGS, KM1-6 BU $4.50
HUMPBACK WHALES ON SOUTH GEORGIA
& SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS COIN
A
humpback whale and her calf are featured on this 2006 dated 2 Pounds
coin of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Humpback
whales can grow to over 50 feet (15m) in length and weigh 30
tons. Despite their size the feed on krill and small
fish. The whales can migrate some 16000 miles (25,000km.)
each year between polar waters and their subtropical and tropical
breeding grounds. We sometimes see these impressive whales
breaching in the waters off of Grover Beach. South Georgia
and South Sandwich Islands are remote, inhospitable islands located
some 800 miles (1300km) southeast of the Falklands. Whaling was the
main industry on the islands until it was outlawed in the 1960's. Now
the islands host a small a small summer population and a number of
cruise ships. The 38.6mm copper-nickel coin depicts Queen Elizabeth on
the obverse.
Item
SGI-WHALE06 SO.GEORGIA & SO.SANDWICH
IS. 2 POUNDS 2006 HUMPBACK WHALE UNC. $10.00
MACARONI PENGUINS
ON TITANIUM AND COPPER-NICKEL COINS OF SO. GEORGIA & SO.
SANDWICH IS.
Macaroni Penguins are so named as the spectacular orange tufted plumes
on its head. In 18th century England, a Macaroni was an individual who
dressed with flamboyant or excessive ornamentation (as in the song
Yankee Doodle). In the summer they breed in colonies that number many
thousands of birds. They then disburse and have been known
swim 10,000 km (6,200 miles) before returning to land. The
British territory of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands depicts
four Macaroni Penguins on their 2019 Two-pound coins. Queen
Elizabeth is on the obverse. The coins are struck in both
pale blue titanium and copper-nickel with the same design.
The titanium version is 36.1mm, weighs only 10 grams, has a mintage of
7,500 and come in a box with a Certificate of
Authenticity. The copper-nickel version is 38.6mm
and has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Both coins are Brilliant
Uncirculated.
Item
SGI-TIT-PENG19 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH IS. 2
POUNDS 2019 MACARONI PENGUIN BLUE TITANIUM BU $49.00
Item
SGI-CN-PENG19 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH
IS. 2
POUNDS COPPER-NICKEL 2019 MACARONI PENGUIN BU out
SEA
LIFE ON SOUTH GEORGIA & SO. SANDWICH ISLANDS 2017 TITANIUM AND
COPPER-NICKEL COINS
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands released attractive 2017 dated
2 Pound coins featuring native sea life. One coin features a
male and female Elephant Seal sitting on a beach. The seal gets its
name from its great size and the large inflatable proboscis of the
adult males, which is used to make extraordinarily loud roaring noises,
especially during the mating season. The coin was struck
green titanium and copper nickel. Another coin features a
Blue Whale mother and her calf. Blue whales are the largest
animals ever known to have lived on Earth. These magnificent marine
mammals rule the oceans at up to 100 feet long and upwards of 200 tons.
Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant. Their hearts can
be as large as an automobile. A third issue features a
Colossal Squid. The squid is known from only a few
specimens. It is believed to reach a maximum size of over 40
feet (12 meters) and weigh as much as 1,650 pounds (750kg.).
. The copper-nickel versions of the coins have a mintage of
10,000 pieces and are 38.6mm in diameter. The titanium has a
mintage of 7,500 pieces, is 36.1mm in diameter, weighs 10 grams, and
come in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity. All the
coins portray Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and are Brilliant
Uncirculated.
Item
SGI-TIT-SEAL17 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH IS. 2
POUNDS 2017 GREEN TITANIUM ELEPHANT SEAL BU $59.00
Item
SGI-CN-SEAL17 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH
IS. 2
POUNDS 2017 COPPER-NICKEL ELEPHANT SEAL BU $14.00
Item
SGI-TIT-BWHALE17 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH IS. 2
POUNDS 2017 BLUE TITANIUM BLUE WHALE BU $59.00
Item
SGI-CN-BWHALE17 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH IS. 2
POUNDS 2017 COPPER-NICKEL BLUE WHALE BU out
Item
SGI-TIT-SQUID17 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH IS. 2
POUNDS 2017 BLUE TITANIUM COLOSSAL SQUID BU $59.00
Item
SGI-CN-SQUID17 SO.GEORGIA &
SO.SANDWICH IS. 2
POUNDS 2017 COPPER-NICKEL COLOSSAL SQUID BU OUT
PILOT
WHALES ON 2017 SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS COIN
Pilot
Whales are large, robust members of the dolphin family, which can weigh
as much as 7000 pounds (3,200kg.) and reach a length 24 feet (7.2
meters). These intelligent marine mammals form close social bonds and
live in tight-knit pods. The Pilot Whale received its name
due to a belief that the pod always follows a single leader.
This may be the reason why entire pods of Pilot Whales often strand
themselves on beaches – they follow their leader even when it makes a
fatal mistake. This 2017 copper-nickel 2 Pound coin
of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands shows Pilot Whale in
the foreground in the Antarctic waters with the head of a second whale
appearing above the water. The top of a third whale can be seen just
above the waterline in the background. Queen Elizabeth is on
the obverse. The coin is 38.6mm in diameter and is
Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item
SGA-PILOT17
SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH SANDWICH IS. 2 POUNDS
2017 PILOT WHALE BU $14.00
SOUTH
GEORGIA & SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS 2016 MINKE WHALE COIN
A
Minke Whale swimming beneath the ocean with icebergs floating above
is featured on this 2016 dated 2 Pounds coin from South Georgia
& South Sandwich Islands. The Minke Whale usually
measures about 23 to 26 feet (7-8m) long and can weight as much as 10
tons. It can dive for as long as 20 minutes and can swim as
fast as 24mpg (38 km/h). The obverse of the coin features
Queen Elizabeth. The copper-nickel coin is 38.6mm in
diameter.
Item
SGA-MINKE16
SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS 2 POUNDS
2016 MINKE WHALE BU $14.00
RARE SPECTACLED
PORPOISE ON SO.
GEORGIA
& SO. SANDWICH ISLANDS COIN
The
threatened and rarely seen Spectacled Porpoise is featured on this
2014 copper-nickel 2 Pound coin from South Georgia and South Sandwich
Islands. The porpoises are fast, active swimmers that they normally
avoid boats. The dark rings around their eyes gives them the appearance
of wearing glasses, hence the name. They live in the cool
sub-Antarctic waters and
have occaisionally been spotted near South Georgia. Little is
known about their behaviour as most of the information has been gleaned
from stranded individuals. The 38.6mm coin features the
Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse.
Item
SGA-PORPOISE14 SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH
SANDWICH ISLANDS 2 POUNDS PORPOISE 2014,
BU $14.00
WADDELL SEAL PUP ON
SOUTH GEORGIA
& SOUTH SANDWICH ISLAND COIN
A
cute Waddell Seal Pup is pictured on this 2013 dated 2 Pound coin from
South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands. The Weddell
Seal is native to Antarctica and lives further south than any other
mammal. It was discovered and named by British sealing
Captain James Waddell, during his expeditions to the Waddell Sea.
When born the pups are around half the length of their
mother (ouch!) and weigh 25 to 30 kilograms. The
Weddell
Seal is remarkable for its ability to survive the bitter Antarctic
winters where they spend most of their time in the water to avoid
blizzards with only their heads poking through breathing holes in the
ice. It can remain underwater for as long as 80 minutes.
The obverse of the 38.6mm copper-nickel coin
features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Item
SGA-SEAL13 SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH
SANDWICH ISLANDS 2 POUNDS WADDELL SEAL 2013,
BU $14.00
WILDLIFE
COINS OF TANZANIA
Animals are featured on this high-catalog value set from
Tanzania. Tanzania, located on the coast of Africa, was
founded when Tanganyika, formerly German East Africa, merged with
Zanzibar in 1964. The set includes the multi-sided1976 5
Senti which shows a sailfish, the scalloped 1979 10 Senti which shows a
Zebra, the 1979 20 Senti which shows an Ostrich, the 1989 50
Senti which shows a rabbit and the 1992 1 Shillingi features an
outstretched arm holding a torch. the coins are Brilliant
Uncirculated and together catalog for over $14.00. Our price
is MUCH less..
Item
S-TZ-SET5 TANZANIA 5 COIN WILDLIFE SET 5
Senti
- 1 Shilling, 1975-1992 BU out
RECENT TANZANIA
COIN SET
FEATURES WILDLIFE
This Tanzanian coin set includes the four denominations currently in
circulation, including the recently released 500 Shilling
coin. All four coins feature native wildlife on the reverse
and a politician on the obverse. The reverse of the recent 500
Shillings features an African Buffalo along with a shifting image that
changes from the numeral "500" to "BOT" as the coin is
moved. A pair of lions is on the reverse
of the 200 Shillings. Both coins depict Sheikh Abeid Amani
Karume, the first President of Zanzibar on the obverse and are dated
2014. Four running impalas are on the reverse of
the 100 Shillings. The obverse features Julius Nyerere, who
led Tanganyika to independence, and became the first President of
Tanzania after it was unified with Zanzibar. The
seven-sided 50 Shilingi features a rhinoceros and her calf.
An oxpecker bird sits atop the rhino. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the
second President of Tanzania is on the obverse. The 100 and
50 Shillings are dated 2015.
Item S-TZ-SET4 TANZANIA 4 COIN SET 50 - 500
SHILLINGS,
2014-2015 UNC. $8.50
TOKELAU SILVER COLOR
COIN FEATURES KILLER WHALES
The
small Pacific island nation of Tokelau features the Orcas or Killer
Whales, on this multi-colored sterling silver 2012 5 Dollar coin. Two
Orcas, one in full color, are shown leaping from the ocean. The obverse
depicts Queen Elizabeth, and a Tuluma bearing a cross. The
Tuluma, the national symbol of Tokalu, is a traditional wooden tackle
box used by fisherman. Tokelau, once known as the Union
Islands, consists of 3 small atolls with a population of only about
1,400. Though governed by New Zealand, it occasionally issues
coins for collectors. The attractive 38.6mm coin weighs 20
grams and has a mintage of only 2500 pieces.
Item
TK-ORKA TOKELAU 5 DOLLARS 2012 ORCA SILVER
PROOF $89.95
BI-METALLIC COINS
TURKISH COINS DEPICT WILDLIFE
Turkey issues an annual series of two bimetallic 1 Lira
coins, each depicting an animal. The coins are all 26.15mm in
diameter and have the denomination and date on the
obverse. The 2009 issues depict an mother elephant and her calf on one
coin and a sea tortoise on the other. The 2009 issues have a mintage of
only 5000 of each coin. A Red
Deer and a
Leopard appear on the 2012 issues. The 2015 issues depict an
Anatolian Wild Sheep or Mouflon on one coin and a desert lizard on the
other. The 2015 issues have a mintage of only 50,000 each.
Item
TR-ZOO-09
TURKEY SET OF 2 BIMETAL 1 LIRA ELEPHANT
& SEATURTLE 2009 KM1263 & KM1264 BU $15.00
Item
TR-ZOO-15
TURKEY SET OF 2 BIMETAL 1 LIRA MOUFLON
& LIZARD 2015 BU $12.00
TURKS
& CAICOS COINS FEATURE CRITTERS
Turks and Caicos Islands is a British overseas territory in the West
Indies. It has a population of only about 35,000.
It was discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1512 and settled by royalist
sympathizers from the United States after the American Revolution. In
1969 the colony struck its first coin, a 38.5mm copper-nickel 1 Crown
featuring the islands coat of arms on the reverse. The arms
include a conch shell, lobster and cactus, supported by a pair of
flamingos with a pelican as its crest. The coin has a mintage
of only 50,000 pieces. In 1981 it issued a 24mm copper-nickel
Quarter Crown coin depicting a Spiny Lobster on the reverse.
It is the lowest denomination issued by the tiny island nation which
primarily uses the United States dollar. Both coins have the
young head of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse.
Item
TC-1CR TURKS & CAICOS 1 CROWN
1969 KM1 UNC. $7.50
Item
TC-1/4CR TURKS & CAICOS 1/4 CROWN
1981 KM51
UNC. $5.00
ZAMBIA
1992
WILDLIFE
SET
This
attractive four coin set from Zambia features four species of
their native wildlife. An Oryx is on
the 21mm brass 5 Kwacha, a pair of eagles is on the 19.2mm brass 1
Kwacha, a rare Kafue Lechwe
is on the 22.5mm nickel-plated steel 50 Ngwee and a crowned hornbill
bird is on the20mm nickel-plated steel 25 Ngwee. The arms of
Zambia is
on the obverse of each coin. All four coins are dated 1992, the only
year these
coins were issued. All four coins are Uncirculated. They make an
excellent addition to any collector's "zoo".
Item
S-ZM-SET4
ZAMBIA 4 COIN WILDLIFE SET, 25 NGWEE
- 5 KWACHA 1992 UNC. $5.00
ALSO SEE THE FOLLOWING ANIMAL COINS:
AMAZONIA COIN SET
FEATURES BI-METALLICS & WILDLIFE
BENIN 1500 FRANCS 2003 BUFFALO
& BIRD
ATTRACTIVE MACEDONIAN
COINS
MALI 1500 FRANCS 2003 GAZELLE
2012 MICRONESIA COIN SET
HONORS INCLUDES BI-METALLICS & WILDLIFE
TOGO 2003 BIMETALLIC COIN FEATURES
ELEPHANTS
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The
obverse of this unofficial 2019 5 Dollar coin of the Independent State
of Alaska features a bear and the constellation Ursa Major (large
bear,
also known as the Big Dipper) from the Alaskan Flag. The
reverse features a moose and a map of Alaska. Though Alaska
has long had an independence movement, it has not gained a widespread
following. The six-sided silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just
160 pieces.
The
Principality of Andorra is a tiny nation on the border of France and
Spain that is nominally ruled by the Bishop of Urgell and the President
of France. In 2002 it issued this 27mm aluminum 1 centim
depicting a Pyrenean Chamois (Isard in French, from the local dialect
Izardo) on one side and the Arms of Andorra on the other. The
Chamois was almost hunted to extinction for the production of chamois
leather by the 1940’s, but since then the population has recovered. 
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. 
The
Perth Mint of Australia celebrated the Year of the Monkey with these
two attractive 2016 dated silver coins. Both coins feature
the same design. The reverses depict an adult
monkey and a baby monkey sitting in a peach tree. The baby is holding a
peach, which is symbolic of longevity and immortality. The Chinese
character for ‘monkey’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Monkey’ also
appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’
mintmark. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy
of Queen Elizabeth II. The 1 troy ounce 1 Dollar
coin is 45mm in diameter. The ½ troy ounce 50 cent coin is
36mm in diameter. Both are struck in .999 fine silver and
come in a capsule.
The
Australian Saltwater Crocodile is featured on the reverse of this 2014
Australian silver dollar coin. The Australian Saltwater
Crocodile is one of the largest reptiles in the world. Males
can reach over 20 feet (6.3m) in length and weigh over 3000 Pounds
(1360 kg). It is capable of taking almost any animal that enters its
territory, including humans. Despite its name, it can be found in
fresh, brackish or ocean water. The obverse features the Ian-Rank
Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The 40.6mm coin
contains 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver. The coin features
a beautiful reverse frosted matte finish. The Queen and the
Crocodile brilliant finish while the background areas have a frosted
finish. The coin was struck at the Perth Mint in Australia
and has a mintage of 1 million pieces. It was the first in an
annual series featuring Australian wildlife.
This
2018 5 Euro coin from Austria celebrates both Easter and the 300th
anniversary of porcelain manufacturing in Vienna. The coin
features a porcelain Easter Bunny designed by Michael Powony around
1930 and produced by Vienna’s famous Augarten Porcelain
Manufactory. Porcelain manufacturing was established in
Vienna in 1718 by Claudius Innocentius du Paquier, a Dutchman who stole
the secret of how to make Porcelain from Meissen. The nine-sided copper
coin is 28.5mm and has a mintage of 200,000 pieces. The
obverse features the arms of each of the nine Austrian federal states
and the denomination. 
Austria
recently released this attractive 2018 5 Euro coin featuring the
smiling head of a lion. The coin commemorates the 650th
anniversary of the founding of the Austrian National Library.
The design is taken from the oldest book in the library: a
transcription of the four Gospels of the New Testament, written in gold
and encrusted with jewels, done in 1368. The nine-sided
copper coin is 28.5mm and has a mintage of 200,000 pieces.
The obverse features the arms of each of the nine Austrian federal
states and the denomination. 
Canada
issued this silver 8 dollar coin in 2013. The unusual
denomination coin contains 1.5 troy ounces of .9999 fine
silver. The thick, 38mm coin depicts a polar bear walking on
an ice flow on one side and Queen Elizabeth on the other. It
is an attractive, odd denomination coin.
A
Deathstalker Scorpion is depicted on the reverse of this attractive
2017 silver 500 Francs con from the African nation of Chad. Though only
about 2 inches (5 cm) long, its sting can kill a human. Its venom
however has shown promise in treating cancer and diabetes, which are
two of the major causes of death in humans. There seems to be a bit of
a paradox in that. The obverse depicts the national arms of
Chad. The 39mm legal tender coin is struck in .999 fine
silver and has a mintage of only 50,000 pieces. The coin has
a beautiful Proof-like finish and comes in a protective capsule. 
A
leopard, crouching on a tree limb and about to pounce, is featured on
this 1976 10 Sengi coin from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. The 17mm aluminum coin has the date and denomination
on the obverse. 
Djibouti
is strategically located between the Red Sea and the Gulf of
Aden. It is an important transshipment point and is home of
United States, French, Chinese, Japanese and Italian military or
support bases. It achieved independence from France in
1977. This attractive 30mm copper-nickel Djibouti 100 Francs
depicts a pair of camels. Camels were a traditional export
and mode of transportation in the region. The obverse
features the arms of Djibouti, which include two machetes, a spear and
a shield. 
A
walking lion is featured on these two coins of East Africa. East Africa
was a currency board for the British colonies in East Africa that later
became the independent nations of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and
Somaliland. The 21mm copper-nickel 50 Cent (Half Shilling)
and 27.8mm copper-nickel 1 Shilling both feature the same
design. British King George VI is on the obverse.
The coins date from 1948 to 1950
A
slender-snout crocodile is featured on the reverse of this seven-sided
1 Dalasi coin from The Gambia. The incredibly shy species inhabits
rivers in western Africa and can grow up to 14 feet (4.2m) in length.
The obverse features Dawda Jawara who ruled Gambia from 1962 until he
was overthrown in 1994.The Gambia is a small, long, narrow nation that
borders both sides of the Gambia River and is almost completely
surrounded by Senegal. It is smallest country on the African mainland
with an area of 4,127 square miles (10,689 km2), which is about the
size of Jamaica. The attractive 38.8mm coin is struck in
copper-nickel. 
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. 
This
two-coin set from Ireland includes the 1/2 Penny depicting a sow and
her piglets and a Penny depicting a hen and her chicks. Both coins are
bronze and both feature an Irish Harp on the obverse. The
designs were selected by a committee headed by Irish poet William
Butler Yeats. The 1/2 Penny is dated 1966 and the Penny is
dated 1964. Both are Uncirculated.
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.
A
striding elephant is featured on the obverse of this Uncirculated 1941
1/2 Cent coin from Liberia. The reverse features the arms of
Liberia which includes an African oil palm, sailing ship and the rising
sun. The 18mm coin was struck in the United States at the
Philadelphia mint and has a mintage of 250,000 pieces.
Liberia
was settled by freed American slaves starting in 1822. In
1847
they formed the Republic of Liberia, Africa's first republic.
Its
government and flag was modeled after that of the United
States.
It is
an attractive old, high-grade animal coin at a reasonable price. 
The
origins of the cock or rooster token is a bit obscure.
The copper 1 Keping tokens were minted in England for merchants in Singapore for
use in
Malacca and other parts of Malaya. The Standard Catalog of
World Coins lists them under Malay Peninsula - Malacca, though other
references sometimes catalog them under Singapore. The
obverse of the 21mm copper token features a fighting cock and the
legend "the land of the Malays" in Malaysian. The reverse has
the denomination and the AH date 1247 which corresponds to
1831AD. The tokens circulated widely around Singapore and
Malaya until the introduction of Straits Settlements coinage in
1845. 
Maldives
recently released a redesigned 2017 dated 2 Rufiyaa coin featuring a
Triton’s Trumpet shell. The large shell can reach up to 2
feet (60cm) in length. The 25.5mm bi-metallic coin has a nickel-plated
steel center and a nickel-brass ring. Maldives is a chain of
26 low lying atolls spanning about 115 square miles (300 sq.km.) in the
Indian Ocean. It is one of the world’s lowest
countries. Its highest point is less than 8 feet (2.4 meters)
above sea level. 
This
sterling silver Proof Mongolian 500 Tugrik depicts a multi-color image
of a Mongolian Saiga Antelope (Saiga Tatarica Mongolica). The
horned animal features an overly-large distinctive nose.
During summer the huge nose helps filter out dust and cools the
animal's blood. In winter it heats up the frigid air before it is taken
to the lungs. The animal has had vast swings in its
population. During the last ice-age it ranged from the
British Isles, through Central Asia and into Alaska and the
Yukon. By the 1920’s it was almost exterminated, however it
was able to recover by the 1950’s. The population collapsed
again after the fall of the Soviet Union due to uncontrolled hunting
and the demand for its horns in Chinese medicine. Disease has
taken a further toll and today it is Critically
Endangered. The 2011 dated coin features the arms
of Mongolia and the denomination on the obverse. The 38.61mm
coin weights 25 grams and has a mintage of just 2500 pieces.
It comes in a capsule with a certificate of
Authenticity. It is an attractive coin depicting an
ugly animal.
In
1949 the French colony of New Caledonia issued its first coins.
France took possession of the Pacific islands in 1853, after
the natives ate a group of French missionaries and members of a French
survey team. The following year France established a penal
colony there. The first coins for New Caledonia were not
until almost 100 years late, in 1949. One of the first coins
issued was this aluminum 50
Centimes. The coin features a seated figure of
Maranne, the national symbol of France on the reverse, and a Kagu bird
on the obverse. The Kagu is a rare, nearly flightless bird
that is only found in New Caledonia.
The
Solander Islands are
a small chain of
uninhabited islands just south of New Zealand. They were
sighted by Captain Cook in 1770 and named after Dr. Daniel Solander, a
Swedish naturalist who was part of the crew. The islands have
had only been briefly inhabited shipwrecks or marooning. It
is the home to a number of rare plants and
birds. The unoffical Solander 10 Dollar coin depicts
a
Glaucus marginatus, which is a species of small, blue sea
slugs. They float upside down on the surface of tropical seas
and eat Portuguese man o’ wars. The coin has a mintage of
just 150 pieces.
This
attractive 38.6mm copper-nickel 1 Dollar coin from the Pacific Island
nation of Niue depicts a Sword Fish on the reverse and Queen Elizabeth
on the obverse. Captain James Cook named the island Savage
Island in 1774, because of the hostility of the natives.
British missionaries began to arrive in the 1830’s and eventually the
islanders were converted to Christianity. Today Niue is a
self-governing nation that is in association with New Zealand, which
handles its defense and foreign affairs. The British monarch is the
head of state. It has a population of less than 3000 and an area of
about 100 square miles. 
The
Papau New Guina 1 Kina features a Salt Water Crocodile and a River
Crocodile chasing each other around the center hole of the coin.
The obverse features the national crest of Papau New Guinea.
The 38.6mm nickel plated steel coin is dated 2004 and is
Brilliant Uncirculated.
A
humpback whale and her calf are featured on this 2006 dated 2 Pounds
coin of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Humpback
whales can grow to over 50 feet (15m) in length and weigh 30
tons. Despite their size the feed on krill and small
fish. The whales can migrate some 16000 miles (25,000km.)
each year between polar waters and their subtropical and tropical
breeding grounds. We sometimes see these impressive whales
breaching in the waters off of Grover Beach. South Georgia
and South Sandwich Islands are remote, inhospitable islands located
some 800 miles (1300km) southeast of the Falklands. Whaling was the
main industry on the islands until it was outlawed in the 1960's. Now
the islands host a small a small summer population and a number of
cruise ships. The 38.6mm copper-nickel coin depicts Queen Elizabeth on
the obverse. 
Pilot
Whales are large, robust members of the dolphin family, which can weigh
as much as 7000 pounds (3,200kg.) and reach a length 24 feet (7.2
meters). These intelligent marine mammals form close social bonds and
live in tight-knit pods. The Pilot Whale received its name
due to a belief that the pod always follows a single leader.
This may be the reason why entire pods of Pilot Whales often strand
themselves on beaches – they follow their leader even when it makes a
fatal mistake. This 2017 copper-nickel 2 Pound coin
of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands shows Pilot Whale in
the foreground in the Antarctic waters with the head of a second whale
appearing above the water. The top of a third whale can be seen just
above the waterline in the background. Queen Elizabeth is on
the obverse. The coin is 38.6mm in diameter and is
Brilliant Uncirculated.
A
Minke Whale swimming beneath the ocean with icebergs floating above
is featured on this 2016 dated 2 Pounds coin from South Georgia
& South Sandwich Islands. The Minke Whale usually
measures about 23 to 26 feet (7-8m) long and can weight as much as 10
tons. It can dive for as long as 20 minutes and can swim as
fast as 24mpg (38 km/h). The obverse of the coin features
Queen Elizabeth. The copper-nickel coin is 38.6mm in
diameter. 
The
threatened and rarely seen Spectacled Porpoise is featured on this
2014 copper-nickel 2 Pound coin from South Georgia and South Sandwich
Islands. The porpoises are fast, active swimmers that they normally
avoid boats. The dark rings around their eyes gives them the appearance
of wearing glasses, hence the name. They live in the cool
sub-Antarctic waters and
have occaisionally been spotted near South Georgia. Little is
known about their behaviour as most of the information has been gleaned
from stranded individuals. The 38.6mm coin features the
Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse.
A
cute Waddell Seal Pup is pictured on this 2013 dated 2 Pound coin from
South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands. The Weddell
Seal is native to Antarctica and lives further south than any other
mammal. It was discovered and named by British sealing
Captain James Waddell, during his expeditions to the Waddell Sea.
When born the pups are around half the length of their
mother (ouch!) and weigh 25 to 30 kilograms. The
Weddell
Seal is remarkable for its ability to survive the bitter Antarctic
winters where they spend most of their time in the water to avoid
blizzards with only their heads poking through breathing holes in the
ice. It can remain underwater for as long as 80 minutes.
The obverse of the 38.6mm copper-nickel coin
features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Animals are featured on this high-catalog value set from
Tanzania. Tanzania, located on the coast of Africa, was
founded when Tanganyika, formerly German East Africa, merged with
Zanzibar in 1964. The set includes the multi-sided1976 5
Senti which shows a sailfish, the scalloped 1979 10 Senti which shows a
Zebra, the 1979 20 Senti which shows an Ostrich, the 1989 50
Senti which shows a rabbit and the 1992 1 Shillingi features an
outstretched arm holding a torch. the coins are Brilliant
Uncirculated and together catalog for over $14.00. Our price
is MUCH less.. 
The
small Pacific island nation of Tokelau features the Orcas or Killer
Whales, on this multi-colored sterling silver 2012 5 Dollar coin. Two
Orcas, one in full color, are shown leaping from the ocean. The obverse
depicts Queen Elizabeth, and a Tuluma bearing a cross. The
Tuluma, the national symbol of Tokalu, is a traditional wooden tackle
box used by fisherman. Tokelau, once known as the Union
Islands, consists of 3 small atolls with a population of only about
1,400. Though governed by New Zealand, it occasionally issues
coins for collectors. The attractive 38.6mm coin weighs 20
grams and has a mintage of only 2500 pieces.
