THE COIN ZOO
COINS WITH ANIMALS
MULTI-COLOR COIN OF
AKROTIRI AND DHEKELIA
Akrotiri
and Dhekelia is a sovereign British Overseas Territories on the island
of Cyprus under the control of the British military. The two areas
comprise of about 98 square miles (254 km2 ) and have a population of
about 7,700 Cypriots in addition to some 8,000 British military
personnel and their families. Dhekelia is located on the border between
Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus and is used
primarily as communications base. Akrotiri is
located on the southwestern portion of Cyprus and contains a major
Royal Air Force
base. This unofficial multi-color 2 Pound coin of Akrotiri
and Dhekelia has a mintage of just 200 pieces. One side of
the
coin features the British arms and the Queen’s royal cipher, both in
color,
and an outline of the head of Queen Elizabeth. The other side
has the date (2014), denomination (2 Pounds) and a multi-color image of
an
Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae). The 40mm Proof coin is
struck on silver plated brass.
Item
AKROTIRI AKROTIRI & DHEKELIA 2 POUNDS
2014, PROOF $19.95
ANIMALS FROM
ALGERIA
This 10-coin set from Algeria features animal and bi-metallic
coins. The 1/4 Dinar shows a desert fox, the 1/2 Dinar
features a Barbary Horse. A prehistoric sheep is on the 1 Dinar, a
Camel is on the 2 Dinar, an Elephant is on the 5 Dinar. The 10 Dinar is
made from an unusual bi-imetallic combination with an aluminum center
surrounded by a steel ring. The coin features a falcon. The 20 Dinars
has a lion's head. The 50 Dinars shows a Gazelle, The 100
Dinars depicts a horse's head. The 2012 dated 200 Dinars
commemorates the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence from
France. The 1/4 Dinar is aluminum, 1/2, 1, 2 and 5 Dinars are stainless
steel and the 10, 50, 100 and 200 Dinars are bi-metallic. The coins
date from 1992 to 2018 and are Uncirculated. It is a scarce
and rarely seen set.
Item
ALG-SET10 ALGERIA 10 COIN SET, 1/4 TO 200
DINARS
1992-2018, UNC. $25.00
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
$32.75
Item
AU-50CMONK AUSTRALIA 50 CENTS 2016 YEAR OF
THE MONKEY, 1/2
TROY OUNCE SILVER BU
$18.00
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
AWDALLAND COIN FEATURES SECRETARY BIRD
Awdal is the northwestern most province
of Somaliland. After Somaliland declared
independence from Somalia in 1991, Awdal declared independence from
Somaliland in 1995. The purported new nation, called Awadl
Republic, Awdalland or Awdal State of Somalia, has received little
international support or recognition. One side of this
unofficial 2020 dated 250 Shilin coin of Awdalland depicts a
Secretary bird. The large bird can grow to over 4 feet (1.3m)
in height. The arms of Awdalland are on the other side of the
con. The eight-sided 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a
mintage of 160 pieces.
Item
AWAD AWDALLAND 250 SHILIN 2020 PROOF $19.95
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
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 OUT
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
BRITISH
VIRGIN ISLAND
DOLPHIN DOLLARS
Frolicking
bottlenose dolphins are featured on these three 1 Dollar coins of the
British Virgin Islands. The 2004 issue features a dolphin swimming in a
coral garden. The 2005 depicts a mother and baby
dolphin. The 2006 issue depicts two dolphins in play. The Ian
Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse of these
38.6mm copper-nickel coins. The coins were a three-year
series featuring these playful creatures which inhabit the waters
surrounding the islands. The British Virgin Islands, located
northeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, have a population of about
30,000 and an area of just 59 square
miles (153 sq. km.). It includes about 16 inhabited islands
and some 50 smaller islands and cays. Only three annual issues
were struck for this attractive series, before it was
discontinued.
Item
BVI-DOL04
BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR 2004
DOLPHIN KM286 BU
$12.00
Item
BVI-DOL05
BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR 2005 MOTHER AND
BABY DOLPHINS, KM312 BU
$12.00
Item
BVI-DOL06
BRITISH VIRGIN IS. 1 DOLLAR 2006 2 DOLPHINS,
KM329
BU $12.00
Item
BVI-DOLSET3
BRITISH VIRGIN IS. SET OF ALL 3 DOLPHIN
DOLLARS, 2004-2006 BU
$29.95
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
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 out
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
$14.00
Item
BVI-AR-UNA BRITISH VIRGIN IS. SILVER 1
DOLLAR
2019 UNA & THE LION, BU
$28.00
CALIFORNIA
REPUBLIC COINS
A
movement to create California as an independent nation has been active
for some years. The movement is headed by a New Yorker living in
Russia. It appears most its funding is from Russia and social media
support from both Russia and Iran. The movement has
found little backing within the state, (though there are probably some
conservatives who would be happy to see California leave the
Union.) Recently a Russian coin dealer created two beautiful
coins for the California Republic. Both coins are denominated as 20
California Dollars and are dated 2020. They are 40mm
eight-sided, silver plated Proof coins. One depicts a Bobcat
and her kitten in Yosemite Valley. The other features Minerva
and sailing ships. The design is from the state
seal. The reverses of both coins depict a Grizzly Bear and
the words "CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC". The design comes from the California
State Flag. The Bear Flag Republic design is based on a flag
used in the 1846 revolt against Mexico.
Item
CAL-YOSEMITE CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC 20 DOLLARS
2020 BOBCAT-YOSEMITE PROOF $19.95
Item
CAL-MINERVA CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC 20
DOLLARS 2020 MINERVA & SHIPS PROOF
$19.95
Item
CAL-BOTH BOTH OF THE ABOVE CALIFORNIA
REPUBLIC COINS PROOF
$39.50
GIANT COCONUT CRAB ON CHAGOS
ARCHIPELAGO COIN
The
giant Coconut crab is featured on this unofficial six-sided 2019 dated
200 Rupees coin of Chagos. The Coconut Crab is the largest
land arthropod in the world. It can grow up to 3 feet (1m) in
length from leg to leg and weigh up to 9 pounds (4.1kg.).
Anything left unattended on the ground is a potential source of food
for the crab, which they will investigate and may carry away, hence it
is sometime called the "robber crab". The obverse features
the Chagos coat of arms which features a sea turtle on top of the
Mauritius coat of arms. Ownership of Chagos is disputed between Great
Britain and Mauritius. Great Britain controls the islands and
calls them the British Indian Ocean Territory. In the early
1970’s they evicted the natives on the islands and built a military
base on the island of Diego Garcia. In 2010 Britain
established the world’s largest marine reserve that encompassed the
islands. By creating the reserve, it outlawed fishing in the
area and effectively prevented the natives from ever returning to the
islands. The Proof coin is struck on silver plated brass and
has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
CHAGOS CHAGOS 200 RUPEES 2019, COCONUT CRAB,
PROOF
$19.95
CHINA CELEBRATES
YEAR OF THE RAT WITH
BI-METAL 10 YUAN 
China
recently released this 2020 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to
commemorate the Year of the Rat. The 27mm coin depicts a cute
mouse,
a palace lantern, and grapes on the obverse. The reverse
features
the
denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design. The large number
10 contains latent images, which change as the coin is moved.
Item
CN-RAT20 CHINA 10 YUAN 2020 YEAR OF
THE RAT,
BI-METAL BU
$7.00
ODD SHAPED COIN OF CHRISTMAS
ISLAND FEATURES TROPICBIRD
This
unofficial odd shaped 2019 $100 coin was issued for Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is called Kiritimati in the native language of
Kiribati which now controls the atoll. It was given its name
by Captain James Cook who visited the island on December 24,
1777. It was first permanently inhabited in 1882 by workers
in coconut plantations and fishermen. From 1957 to 1962 Great
Britain and the United States conducted numerous nuclear bomb tests on
the island. This odd-shaped 40mm silver-plated Proof coin
depicts the arms of Kiribati on the obverse and a Tropicbird (Phaeton
bird). The unusual coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
Item
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS ISLAND (KIRITIMATI) 100 DOLLARS
2019 PROOF $19.95
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
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
GOLIATH HERON ON COIN OF DAHLAC
Dahlac is an archipelago of over 100
islands located in the Red Sea, only four of which are permanently
inhabited. It has a population of about 2500. In Roman times
it was
famous for its pearls. Even today it still has a small pearl diving
industry. Over the centuries it has been used as a prison and a major
conduit of trade and slaves between Africa and Arabia.
Recently it has
become a popular destination for yacht cruising and scuba
divers. It is
currently controlled by Eritrea. This unofficial six-sided
2020 50
Nafka coin of Dahlac depicts a Goliath Heron on the reverse.
The large
bird can reach up to 5 feet (152cm) and have a 7.5 foot (230cm)
wingspan. The emblem of Dahlac featuring a camel is on the
obverse.
The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
DAHLAC DAHLAC 50 NAFKA 2020 PROOF $19.95
ESEQUIBO COIN FEATURES TOCO TOUCAN
Esequibo is a disputed region bordering
the Essequibo river in South America. It is claimed and
controlled by Guyana though is also claimed by Venezuela. The
dispute dates back to the 19th century. In 2006 Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez added an 8th star to the Venezuelan flag to
represent Esequibo. The region contains large oil fields and
makes up a substantial portion of the nation of Guyana. The
obverse of this 2020 dated 20 Guilderro depicts the arms of
Esequibo. The reverse depicts a Toco Toucan. The
unofficial 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160
pieces.
Item
ESEQUIBO ESEQUIBO 20 GUILDERRO 2020 PROOF $19.95
ERITREA
WILDLIFE COIN SET
This
1997 six-coin set are the only coins issued for circulation by
Eritrea since it gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1991.
Featured on the front of the coins is native African wildlife.
The 100 Cents depicts an Elephant mother and her
calf. A Greater Kudo is on the 50 Cents. The 25
cents has a Grevy's Zebra. An Osterich is on the 10 cents.
The 5 Cents pictures a leopard sitting on a tree branch. The
1 Cent features a Red-Fronted Gazelle. The reverses of the
coins depicts soldiers carrying the Eritrean flag. The coins
are struck in nickel-plated steel and are Uncirculated.
Item
S-ER-SET97 ERITREA 6 COIN SET: 1 - 100 CENTS
1997 KM43-48 UNC. $7.00
FALKLAND ISLAND
COIN SET FEATURES WILDLIFE
Native wildlife is featured on this eight-coin set from the Falkland
Islands. The 1 pence pictures a pair of penguins. An
Upland goose is on the 2 Pence. The 5 pence features an
albatross. A pair of Ursine seals is on the 10 pence. The
seven-sided 20 pence shows a Romney marsh sheep. The
seven-sided 50 pence pictures the now extinct Falkland Island
fox. The 1 pound coin features the Falkland arms, which
includes a sailing ship and a sheep. The coin has a lettered
edge that reads “
DESIRE
THE RIGHT”. The bi-metallic 2 Pound coin is
dated 2004 and shows a map on the islands in the center. It
has a lettered edge that reads "
30
YEARS OF FALKLAND ISLANDS COINAGE" A variety of
native wildlife, including various birds, a seal, penguins and a
dolphin surround the map. The obverse of the coins pictures
Queen Elizabeth. The coins date from 1998 to 2004.
It is an interesting set featuring a variety of animals.
Item
S-FK-SET8 FALKLAND IS. 8 COIN SET 1 PENCE - 2
POUNDS 1998-2004 UNC. $29.50
2011 FAROE ISLANDS
COINS 
These 2011 dated unofficial pattern coins picturing native
wildlife are the first issues for the Faroe Islands in 70
years!
The Faroe Islands (also spelled Faeroe, Faoroe, Føroyar or
Færøerne) is a self-governing Danish possession in the North Atlantic
between Scotland and Iceland. The 8 coin set
includes a
35mm tri-metallic 50 Kronur featuring a Ram's head. The 27mm
aluminum-bronze 20 Kronur features a Gray Seal. The
23mm 10
Kronur pictures a Twait Shad fish. A Eurasian Oystercatcher
bird
is onthe 28.5mm cupro-nickel 5 Kronur. The 24.5mm cupro-nickel 2 Kronur
shows a Black Guillemot in flight. An Atlantic Puffin is on the 20mm
cupro-nickel 1 Krona. A Faroes or Shetland Sheep
Dog is on
the 21.5mm copper-plated zinc 50 Oyru. The 17.5mm copper-plated zinc 25
Oyru pictures a Common Shore Crab. The obverse of each of the coins
features the Faroe arms which depict a Ram. Only 10,000 sets
of
these attractive pattern coins were issued.
Item FO-SET8 FAROE 8 COIN SET 25 OYRU -
50 KRONUR, 2011 UNC.
$29.95
INDIVIDUAL COINS FROM THE ABOVE FAROE SET
Item
FO-50KR FAROE 50 KRONUR 2011 RAM'S HEAD
TRIMETALLIC UNC.
$14.50
Item FO-20KR FAROE 20 KRONUR 2011 GRAY SEAL
UNC. $8.00
Item FO-10KR FAROE 10 KRONUR 2011 SHAD UNC. $6.00
Item FO-5KR FAROE 5 KRONUR 2011 OYSTERCATCHER
UNC. $6.00
Item FO-2KR FAROE 2 KRONER 2011 GUILLEMOT
UNC. $5.00
Item FO-1KR FAROE 1 KRONA 2011 PUFFIN UNC. $4.50
Item FO-50-OYRU FAROE 50 OYRU 2011 SHEEP DOG
UNC. $4.00
Item FO-25-OYRU FAROE 25 OYRU 2011 CRAB UNC. $3.50
GALAPAGOS TURTLE
ON BI-METALLIC GALAPAGOS ISLANDS COIN
A
Galapagos Giant Tortoise is featured on this unofficial 2008
bimetallic Five Dolares coin of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos
arms are on the reverse. The 31mm coin has a
copper-nickel center and a brass outer ring. The tortoises
can weigh over 900 pounds (415kg) and live over 100 years.
Spanish explorers who discovered the remote Pacific islands named them
named them after the Spanish word "galápago", which means
tortoise. The islands are famed for their unique natural
wildlife.
Item
GALP5 GALAPAGOS 5 DOLARES 2008 Br.X8 UNC. $7.50
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
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
JAMMU & KASHMIR COIN DEPICTS
KASHMIR DEER
Jammu
and Kashmir is a disputed region with portions controlled by
India,
Pakistan and
China.
Kashmir was an
independent kingdom until
1586 when it was conquered by the Mughals. India and Pakistan
gained independence in 1947 and immediately began fighting over the
region. The region was divided between the two nations with
the northern most portion going to China. Since then the
three nations have fought multiple wars over the territory.
Many residents would prefer Kashmir to be an independent nation rather
than being divided between the warring parties.
This unofficial 2020 dated silver-plated Proof 200 Rupee coin of Jammu
and Kashmir features a Kashmir Stag (also called a hangul) on one side
and the arms of Jammu and Kashmir on the other. It is a
critically endangered species with only a few hundred
remaining. The obverse depicts the arms of Jammu and
Kashmir. The coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
Item
KASHMIR200 JAMMU & KASHMIR 200 RUPEES
2020 PROOF $19.95
Also see:
OLD COPPER COIN OF MUSLIM KASHMIR - AE KASERAH
FATH SHAH
1486-1517
CRITTERS FROM KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan issued an attractive series of coins featuring endangered
native wildlife. The 31mm copper-nickel coins are denominated
50 Tenge. Each year a different critter was featured on the reverse of
the coin. The 2007 to 2009 issues have the Kazakstan national emblem on
the obverse. The later issues feature the critter in its
natural habitat on the obverse. The coins have a mintage of only 50,000
each. The 2007 issue featured a Crested
Spoonbill. A Tien Shan Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos Isabellinus)
is on the 2008 coin. 2009 featured a Porcupine. The 2010
issue depicted a Dalmatian Pelican on both sides of the coin. A
praying Mantis is on both sides of the 2012 50 Tenge.
Item
KZ-SPOON07 KAZAKHSTAN 50 TENGE 2007
SPOONBILL KM81 BU
$7.00
Item
KZ-BEAR08
KAZAKHSTAN 50 TENGE 2008 BEAR KM86 BU
$10.00
Item
KZ-PORC09 KAZAKHSTAN 50 TENGE 2009 PORCUPINE
KM141 BU
$7.00
Item
KZ-PELIC10 KAZAKHSTAN 50 TENGE 2010 PEICAN
KM239 BU
$7.00
Item
KZ-MANT12 KAZAKHSTAN 50 TENGE 2012 PRAYING
MANTIS BU
$8.00
ELEPHANT ON OLD,
UNCIRCULATED ELEPHANT HALF CENT FROM LIBERIA
A striding elephant is featured on the obverse of this Uncirculated 1/2
Cent coins from Liberia. The reverses feature the arms of
Liberia which includes an African oil palm, sailing ship and the rising
sun. The coin is 18mm in diameter. The 1937 issue
is struck in a brass alloy and has a mintage of 1 million
pieces. The 1941 issue was struck at the United
States mint in Philadelphia and has a mintage of 250,000
pieces. They are attractive, old, Uncirculated animal coins
at a reasonable price.
Item
LR-10
LIBERIA 1/2 CENT 1937 KM10 Unc. $3.00
Item LR-10A
LIBERIA 1/2 CENT 1941 KM10a BU $3.00
ATTRACTIVE
MACEDONIAN COIN SET INCLUDES WILDLIFE.
This six coin set from Macedonia includes the 50 Deni to the 50
Denari. The
50 Denari
portrays the head of Archangel Gabriel.. The 10 Denari has
the peacock. Both coins are copper-nickel. The
lower four
denominations all feature animals and are struck in brass. A lynx is on
the 5 Denari. An Ochrid Trout is on the 2 Denari. A Yugoslav
Shepherd Dog (Sarplaninac) is on the 1 Denar. The 50 Deni
features a seagull in flight. The reverses
of the coins feature the denomination and a 16-ray sun symbol
that was used by Alexander the Great. All six coins are
Brilliant
Uncirculated
Item
S-MK-SET6 MACEDONIA 6 COIN
SET 50 DENI-50
DENARI, 1993-2008 BU
$9.75
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
WILD ANIMALS ON MALI'S FIRST COINS
The central African nation of Mali
gained independence from France in 1960. It issued its first
circulating coins in 1961, including this 5 Francs depicting a hippo
and 25 Francs depicting a lion. Both coins are aluminum and
have the denomination within a wreath on the reverse
Item
ML-5F MALI 5 FRANCS 1961 KM2 HIPPO UNC.
$3.50
Item
ML-25F MALI 25 FRANCS 1961 KM3 LION UNC
$7.00
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
FISH EAGLE ON COIN OF DISPUTED NATUNA
The Natuna Regency is an archipelago of
272 islands located in the south part of the South China Sea.
The islands are controlled by Indonesia. Part of Indonesia's
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Natuna overlaps with
China's "Nine Dashed Lines" claim to most of the South China Sea, which
is based on a map published by China in 1947. There have been
conflicts over fishing in the disputed area and Indonesia has heavily
armed the islands in an attempt to enforce their claims.
Natural Gas deposits in the region may create further
conflicts. One side of this unofficial 2020 dated 5000 Rupiah
coin depicts a Lesser Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus humilis) holding a fish in
its talons. The other side has the Natuna emblem on the chest
of a heraldic Indonesian Garuda Bird. The 39mm silver-plated
proof coin has a scalloped edge. It has a mintage
of only 160 pieces.
Item
NATUNA NATUNA 5000 RUPIAH 2020 PROOF $19.95
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
2020 NIUE KOALA
COIN SUPPORTS
WILDLIFE
SERVICES
Niue
released a 2020 copper-nickel 1 Dollar coin depicting a cute Koala
and the Australian flag superimposed on a map of Australia. Above is
the inscription "PRESERVE PLANET EARTH". Queen Elizabeth is
on the obverse. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of
the coins goes to support the New South Wales Wildlife Information,
Rescue and Education Service (NSW - WIRES) It is
the largest wildlife rescue & rehabilitation charity in
Australia. The 38.6mm coin comes in a presentation
pack. It has a mintage of just 2020 pieces.
Item
NU-KOALA NIUE 1 DOLLAR 2020 KOALA BU $15.00
ANCIENT OLBIA DOLPHIN
COIN
Olbia
was a Greek city on the Black Sea in what is now Ukraine.
Between
the 5th and 3rd century BC it issued these unusual bronze dolphin
shaped coins. The crudely cast coins vary in size, from about 20mm to
27mm and lack tails. They are one of the most unusual ancient
coins available, yet are remarkably affordable due to a recent large
hoard.
Item
OLBIA OLBIA DOLPHIN COIN, circa 5th-3rd
century BC
$15.00
Item
OLBIAx5 5 of the above OLBIA DOLPHIN COINS,
circa 5th-3rd century BC
$59.95
[
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
AFRICAN PENGUINS ON PRINCE EDWARD
ISLANDS COIN
A pair
of diving African
penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are on this unofficial 2020 20 Rand coin
of the Prince Edward Islands of South Africa. (Not to be confused with
Prince Edward Island of Canada). The obverse of this
six-sided coin
features the arms of the islands. The Prince Edward
Islands are two
islands belonging to South Africa located 1,099 miles (1,769 km.)
south-east of Port Elizabeth. The islands are a Special Nature Reserve
and are uninhabited except for visiting scientists. The
islands were
often visited by seal hunters in the 19th century, until the seal
population was nearly eradicated. The sealers accidentally
introduced
mice, whose population quickly multiplied and threatened the bird
population. In 1949 cats were introduced to control the mice
population. The cats controlled the mice, but the cat
population then
soared and the birds became threatened by the cats. A cat
eradication
program was implemented by introducing cats infected with a deadly
feline virus. Any remaining cats were shot or trapped. With
the cats
gone the mouse population again soared, and the bird population was
once again threatened. Recently a new mouse eradication
program was
implemented. The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of
just 160.
Item
PEI-20R PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS 20 RAND 2020
PENGUINS PROOF
$19.95
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
ROTUMA COIN FEATURES NATIVE BIRD
Rotuma is and island and nearby islets
located some 400 miles (645km) north of Fiji. It is controlled by
Fiji. It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which have a
distinct language and culture from other parts of Fiji. In
1987, after the a coup in Fiji A part-Rotuman man named Henry Gibson
announced the independence of Rotuma from Fiji with the creation of the
Republic of Rotuma. He then proclaimed himself King of Rotuma
(I am not sure how one can be the king of a republic). The
independence movement seems to have died out soon thereafter.
In 2020 an unofficial coin was struck for Rotuma. The 39mm
scalloped 50 Pa'atuna coin depicts a Rotuma myzomela bird (Myzomela
chermesina). The bird is endemic to Rotuma. The
other side depicts the arms of Rotuma. The Proof coin has a mintage of
just 160 pieces.
Item
ROTUMA ROTUMA 50 PA'ATUNA 2020 PROOF $19.95
LION ON SCARCE COIN OF
SHORT-LIVED RWANDA-BURUNDI
After
Belgian Congo
gained its
independence in 1960, Belgium issued a coin for what was left of its
African territories: Rwanda and Burundi. Only a
single coin type was issued for the joint territory of Rwanda-Burundi:
a brass 1 Franc. This brass 1961 brass 1 Franc coin features
a walking lion on one side. The other has the names of the
territories and the denomination. In 1962
Rwanda and Burundi were both granted independence
Item
RWBU-1 RWANDA-BURUNDI 1 FRANC 1961 KM1 UNC. $6.00
2017 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
S-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
SEALAND HONORS
KILLER WHALES
You may have some difficulty
finding Sealand on the map. That is because it is a self-declared
nation located on an abandoned 10,000 square foot W.W.II era radar
platform approximately 6 miles off the coast of England. Sealand was
founded in 1967 when Prince Roy occupied the platform, declared it a
sovereign nation, and set up a pirate radio station. Though the British
government tried to shut down the operation, the British courts held
that Sealand was located in international waters and beyond the
government's jurisdiction, so he was free to operate his own "nation".
In 1978 the "country" was invaded and occupied by a German businessman
over a contract dispute, however it was soon retaken by force under the
leadership of Prince Roy. Prince Roy died in 2012 and the
throne of Sealand passed onto his son Michael, who resides in England,
while a caretaker lives on the platform. Currently Sealand's
main source of income is from the sales of souvenirs and royal
titles. In recent years amateur athletes have represented
Sealand in unconventional or minor athletic events. In 1994
Sealand issued coins, all having similar designs. The Sealand Coat of
Arms, date and denomination is on the obverse. An Orca, also
known as a Killer Whale, is on the reverse. We offervtwo of
these 1994 coins from this tiny nation: The Brilliant
Uncirculated 39mm copper-nickel half dollar and the Proof 39mm 1 troy
ounce .999 fine silver 1 Dollar. They are
attractive coins from a rather interesting "nation".
Item
SEALAND50C
SEALAND COPPER-NICKEL HALF DOLLAR 1994 UNC. Br.X8.1
$18.00
Item
SEALAND$
SEALAND SILVER DOLLAR 1994 PROOF Br.X9 $49.50
TURTLE ON SEYCHELLES COIN
A
Green Sea Turtle is featured on this 1977 10 Rupees from
Seychelles. Beneath the turtle is the legend "SEA RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT". The obverse features the Seychelles coat of
arms. The 34.5mm copper-nickel coin was issued in
conjunction with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's
(FAO) coin program. The program encouraged nations to issue
coins to encourage the production of more food. Some of the coins were
sold to collectors to raise funds for agricultural programs.
Item
SC-TURTLE
SEYCHELLES 10 RUPEES 1977 TURTLE KM37 BU
$8.00
SIERRA LEONE
DINOSAUR DOLLARS
Four famous and ferocious dinosaurs are featured on these
copper-nickel 1 Dollar coins of Sierra Leone. The attractive
2006
dated coins feature the Brontosaurus, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex,
and the Triceratops. The arms of Sierra Leone is on the
obverse
of the 38.6mm copper-nickel coins.
Item
SL-DINO06 SIERRA LEONE SET OF 4 2006 DINOSAUR
DOLLARS, KM308, KM309, KM310 & KM324 BU $35.00
NATIVE WILDLIFE ON
OBSOLETE COINS
OF SLOVENIA
With the introduction of the Euro, Slovenia's attractive wildlife coins
are now obsolete and have been withdrawn from circulation. All six of
the Tolar denominated coins feature native wildlife. The 10 Stotinov
pictures an Olm salamander, an unusual blind aquatic salamander found
in the caves of Slovenia. A barn owl is on the 20 Stotinov. A bee is on
the 50 Stotinov. The 1 Tolar features salmon, the 2 Tolar shows a
swallow in flight, and an ibex is on the 5 Tolar.
The lower
three denominations are aluminum, the top three are brass. It
is
an
attractive animal coin set. The coins date from 1992 to 2002
and
are
Uncirculated.
Item
S-SI-SET6 SLOVENIA 6 COIN ANIMAL SET 10
STOTINOV - 5 TOLAR, 1992-2002 KM3-7 UNC $4.50
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 they 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
LOW MINTAGE GOLD COIN FEATURES
MACARONI PENGUIN
This
2020 Proof 4 Pound gold coin of South Georgia and South Sandwich
Islands has an incredibly low mintage of just 199 pieces. The
13.92 mm coin contains 1/25 troy ounce of gold. The coin
comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity in a red presentation
box. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. The reverse
depicts a Macaroni Penguin. Macaroni Penguins are so named
because of the spectacular orange tufted plumes on its head. In 18th
century England, a Macaroni was an individual who dressed with
flamboyant or excessive ornamentation.
Item
SGA-GOLD20 SO. GEORGIA & SO. SANDWICH
IS. GOLD 4 POUND 2020 PROOF
$195.00
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 $14.00
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. 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
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
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-sided 1976 5
Senti which shows a sailfish, the scalloped 1979 10 Senti which shows a
Zebra, the 1984 20 Senti which shows an Ostrich, the 1989 50
Senti which shows a rabbit and the 1990 1 Shillingi features an
outstretched arm holding a torch.
Item
S-TZ-SET5
TANZANIA 5 COIN WILDLIFE SET 5
Senti
- 1 Shilling, 1976-1990 BU $5.00
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
UKRAINE
WILDLIFE COINS
Endangered native wildlife are featured on these attractive 2 Hryvni
coins of Ukraine. The 31mm coins are struck in a nickel
alloy. The obverses of the coins feature a wreath of flora
and fauna, the national emblem, denomination and date.
Item
UA-CRAB00 UKRAINE 2 HRYVNI 2000 FRESHWATER
CRAB KM99 BU $18.00
Item
UA-BISON03 UKRAINE 2 HRYVNI 2003 EUROPEAN
BISON KM167 BU $8.50
Item
UA-SHORSE03 UKRAINE 2 HRYVNI 2003 LONG
SNOUTED
SEA HORSE KM168 BU $15.00
Item
UA-MOLE05 UKRAINE 2 HRYVNI 2005 SANDY MOLE
RAT KM357 BU $8.00
Item
UA-GHOP06 UKRAINE 2 HRYVNI BUSH KATYDID
GRASSHOPPER KM391 BU $8.00
SQUIRREL ON 2020 ISLE OF WIGHT COIN
A cute Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus
vulgaris) is featured on the reverse this unofficial 2020 dated 5 Pound
coin of the Isle of Wight. The obverse of the eight-sided
silver-plated proof coin depicts Queen Elizabeth and the arms of Wight.
Only 160 pieces were struck. Wight is a 147 square mile (380 sq.km.)
island off the southern coast of England. It has been
inhabited since ancient times. Queen Victoria had
fond childhood memories of the island and made it her favorite location
for holidays. That made it a popular tourists destination, which it has
remained ever since. Victoria died there in 1901.
The island is rich in dinosaur fossils.
Item
WIGHT ISLE OF WIGHT 5 POUNDS 2020 SQUIRREL
PROOF
$19.95
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:
BENIN 1500 FRANCS 2003 BUFFALO
& BIRD
MALI 1500 FRANCS 2003 GAZELLE
2012 MICRONESIA COIN SET
HONORS INCLUDES BI-METALLICS & WILDLIFE
TOGO 2003 BIMETALLIC COIN FEATURES
ELEPHANTS
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Akrotiri
and Dhekelia is a sovereign British Overseas Territories on the island
of Cyprus under the control of the British military. The two areas
comprise of about 98 square miles (254 km2 ) and have a population of
about 7,700 Cypriots in addition to some 8,000 British military
personnel and their families. Dhekelia is located on the border between
Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus and is used
primarily as communications base. Akrotiri is
located on the southwestern portion of Cyprus and contains a major
Royal Air Force
base. This unofficial multi-color 2 Pound coin of Akrotiri
and Dhekelia has a mintage of just 200 pieces. One side of
the
coin features the British arms and the Queen’s royal cipher, both in
color,
and an outline of the head of Queen Elizabeth. The other side
has the date (2014), denomination (2 Pounds) and a multi-color image of
an
Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae). The 40mm Proof coin is
struck on silver plated brass. 
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.
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. 
Awdal is the northwestern most province
of Somaliland. After Somaliland declared
independence from Somalia in 1991, Awdal declared independence from
Somaliland in 1995. The purported new nation, called Awadl
Republic, Awdalland or Awdal State of Somalia, has received little
international support or recognition. One side of this
unofficial 2020 dated 250 Shilin coin of Awdalland depicts a
Secretary bird. The large bird can grow to over 4 feet (1.3m)
in height. The arms of Awdalland are on the other side of the
con. The eight-sided 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a
mintage of 160 pieces.
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. 
Frolicking
bottlenose dolphins are featured on these three 1 Dollar coins of the
British Virgin Islands. The 2004 issue features a dolphin swimming in a
coral garden. The 2005 depicts a mother and baby
dolphin. The 2006 issue depicts two dolphins in play. The Ian
Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse of these
38.6mm copper-nickel coins. The coins were a three-year
series featuring these playful creatures which inhabit the waters
surrounding the islands. The British Virgin Islands, located
northeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, have a population of about
30,000 and an area of just 59 square
miles (153 sq. km.). It includes about 16 inhabited islands
and some 50 smaller islands and cays. Only three annual issues
were struck for this attractive series, before it was
discontinued. 
A
movement to create California as an independent nation has been active
for some years. The movement is headed by a New Yorker living in
Russia. It appears most its funding is from Russia and social media
support from both Russia and Iran. The movement has
found little backing within the state, (though there are probably some
conservatives who would be happy to see California leave the
Union.) Recently a Russian coin dealer created two beautiful
coins for the California Republic. Both coins are denominated as 20
California Dollars and are dated 2020. They are 40mm
eight-sided, silver plated Proof coins. One depicts a Bobcat
and her kitten in Yosemite Valley. The other features Minerva
and sailing ships. The design is from the state
seal. The reverses of both coins depict a Grizzly Bear and
the words "CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC". The design comes from the California
State Flag. The Bear Flag Republic design is based on a flag
used in the 1846 revolt against Mexico. 
The
giant Coconut crab is featured on this unofficial six-sided 2019 dated
200 Rupees coin of Chagos. The Coconut Crab is the largest
land arthropod in the world. It can grow up to 3 feet (1m) in
length from leg to leg and weigh up to 9 pounds (4.1kg.).
Anything left unattended on the ground is a potential source of food
for the crab, which they will investigate and may carry away, hence it
is sometime called the "robber crab". The obverse features
the Chagos coat of arms which features a sea turtle on top of the
Mauritius coat of arms. Ownership of Chagos is disputed between Great
Britain and Mauritius. Great Britain controls the islands and
calls them the British Indian Ocean Territory. In the early
1970’s they evicted the natives on the islands and built a military
base on the island of Diego Garcia. In 2010 Britain
established the world’s largest marine reserve that encompassed the
islands. By creating the reserve, it outlawed fishing in the
area and effectively prevented the natives from ever returning to the
islands. The Proof coin is struck on silver plated brass and
has a mintage of just 160 pieces.
China
recently released this 2020 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to
commemorate the Year of the Rat. The 27mm coin depicts a cute
mouse,
a palace lantern, and grapes on the obverse. The reverse
features
the
denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design. The large number
10 contains latent images, which change as the coin is moved. 
This
unofficial odd shaped 2019 $100 coin was issued for Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is called Kiritimati in the native language of
Kiribati which now controls the atoll. It was given its name
by Captain James Cook who visited the island on December 24,
1777. It was first permanently inhabited in 1882 by workers
in coconut plantations and fishermen. From 1957 to 1962 Great
Britain and the United States conducted numerous nuclear bomb tests on
the island. This odd-shaped 40mm silver-plated Proof coin
depicts the arms of Kiribati on the obverse and a Tropicbird (Phaeton
bird). The unusual coin has a mintage of just 160 pieces. 
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. 
Dahlac is an archipelago of over 100
islands located in the Red Sea, only four of which are permanently
inhabited. It has a population of about 2500. In Roman times
it was
famous for its pearls. Even today it still has a small pearl diving
industry. Over the centuries it has been used as a prison and a major
conduit of trade and slaves between Africa and Arabia.
Recently it has
become a popular destination for yacht cruising and scuba
divers. It is
currently controlled by Eritrea. This unofficial six-sided
2020 50
Nafka coin of Dahlac depicts a Goliath Heron on the reverse.
The large
bird can reach up to 5 feet (152cm) and have a 7.5 foot (230cm)
wingspan. The emblem of Dahlac featuring a camel is on the
obverse.
The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces. 
Esequibo is a disputed region bordering
the Essequibo river in South America. It is claimed and
controlled by Guyana though is also claimed by Venezuela. The
dispute dates back to the 19th century. In 2006 Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez added an 8th star to the Venezuelan flag to
represent Esequibo. The region contains large oil fields and
makes up a substantial portion of the nation of Guyana. The
obverse of this 2020 dated 20 Guilderro depicts the arms of
Esequibo. The reverse depicts a Toco Toucan. The
unofficial 40mm silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of just 160
pieces.
This
1997 six-coin set are the only coins issued for circulation by
Eritrea since it gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1991.
Featured on the front of the coins is native African wildlife.
The 100 Cents depicts an Elephant mother and her
calf. A Greater Kudo is on the 50 Cents. The 25
cents has a Grevy's Zebra. An Osterich is on the 10 cents.
The 5 Cents pictures a leopard sitting on a tree branch. The
1 Cent features a Red-Fronted Gazelle. The reverses of the
coins depicts soldiers carrying the Eritrean flag. The coins
are struck in nickel-plated steel and are Uncirculated.
A
Galapagos Giant Tortoise is featured on this unofficial 2008
bimetallic Five Dolares coin of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos
arms are on the reverse. The 31mm coin has a
copper-nickel center and a brass outer ring. The tortoises
can weigh over 900 pounds (415kg) and live over 100 years.
Spanish explorers who discovered the remote Pacific islands named them
named them after the Spanish word "galápago", which means
tortoise. The islands are famed for their unique natural
wildlife.
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. 
Jammu
and Kashmir is a disputed region with portions controlled by India,
Pakistan and China.
Kashmir was an
independent kingdom until
1586 when it was conquered by the Mughals. India and Pakistan
gained independence in 1947 and immediately began fighting over the
region. The region was divided between the two nations with
the northern most portion going to China. Since then the
three nations have fought multiple wars over the territory.
Many residents would prefer Kashmir to be an independent nation rather
than being divided between the warring parties.
This unofficial 2020 dated silver-plated Proof 200 Rupee coin of Jammu
and Kashmir features a Kashmir Stag (also called a hangul) on one side
and the arms of Jammu and Kashmir on the other. It is a
critically endangered species with only a few hundred
remaining. The obverse depicts the arms of Jammu and
Kashmir. The coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.
A striding elephant is featured on the obverse of this Uncirculated 1/2
Cent coins from Liberia. The reverses feature the arms of
Liberia which includes an African oil palm, sailing ship and the rising
sun. The coin is 18mm in diameter. The 1937 issue
is struck in a brass alloy and has a mintage of 1 million
pieces. The 1941 issue was struck at the United
States mint in Philadelphia and has a mintage of 250,000
pieces. They are attractive, old, Uncirculated animal coins
at a reasonable price.
This six coin set from Macedonia includes the 50 Deni to the 50
Denari. The
50 Denari
portrays the head of Archangel Gabriel.. The 10 Denari has
the peacock. Both coins are copper-nickel. The
lower four
denominations all feature animals and are struck in brass. A lynx is on
the 5 Denari. An Ochrid Trout is on the 2 Denari. A Yugoslav
Shepherd Dog (Sarplaninac) is on the 1 Denar. The 50 Deni
features a seagull in flight. The reverses
of the coins feature the denomination and a 16-ray sun symbol
that was used by Alexander the Great. All six coins are
Brilliant
Uncirculated
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. 
The central African nation of Mali
gained independence from France in 1960. It issued its first
circulating coins in 1961, including this 5 Francs depicting a hippo
and 25 Francs depicting a lion. Both coins are aluminum and
have the denomination within a wreath on the reverse
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 Natuna Regency is an archipelago of
272 islands located in the south part of the South China Sea.
The islands are controlled by Indonesia. Part of Indonesia's
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Natuna overlaps with
China's "Nine Dashed Lines" claim to most of the South China Sea, which
is based on a map published by China in 1947. There have been
conflicts over fishing in the disputed area and Indonesia has heavily
armed the islands in an attempt to enforce their claims.
Natural Gas deposits in the region may create further
conflicts. One side of this unofficial 2020 dated 5000 Rupiah
coin depicts a Lesser Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus humilis) holding a fish in
its talons. The other side has the Natuna emblem on the chest
of a heraldic Indonesian Garuda Bird. The 39mm silver-plated
proof coin has a scalloped edge. It has a mintage
of only 160 pieces.
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. 
Niue
released a 2020 copper-nickel 1 Dollar coin depicting a cute Koala
and the Australian flag superimposed on a map of Australia. Above is
the inscription "PRESERVE PLANET EARTH". Queen Elizabeth is
on the obverse. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of
the coins goes to support the New South Wales Wildlife Information,
Rescue and Education Service (NSW - WIRES) It is
the largest wildlife rescue & rehabilitation charity in
Australia. The 38.6mm coin comes in a presentation
pack. It has a mintage of just 2020 pieces.
Olbia
was a Greek city on the Black Sea in what is now Ukraine.
Between
the 5th and 3rd century BC it issued these unusual bronze dolphin
shaped coins. The crudely cast coins vary in size, from about 20mm to
27mm and lack tails. They are one of the most unusual ancient
coins available, yet are remarkably affordable due to a recent large
hoard. 
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 pair
of diving African
penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are on this unofficial 2020 20 Rand coin
of the Prince Edward Islands of South Africa. (Not to be confused with
Prince Edward Island of Canada). The obverse of this
six-sided coin
features the arms of the islands. The Prince Edward
Islands are two
islands belonging to South Africa located 1,099 miles (1,769 km.)
south-east of Port Elizabeth. The islands are a Special Nature Reserve
and are uninhabited except for visiting scientists. The
islands were
often visited by seal hunters in the 19th century, until the seal
population was nearly eradicated. The sealers accidentally
introduced
mice, whose population quickly multiplied and threatened the bird
population. In 1949 cats were introduced to control the mice
population. The cats controlled the mice, but the cat
population then
soared and the birds became threatened by the cats. A cat
eradication
program was implemented by introducing cats infected with a deadly
feline virus. Any remaining cats were shot or trapped. With
the cats
gone the mouse population again soared, and the bird population was
once again threatened. Recently a new mouse eradication
program was
implemented. The silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of
just 160.
Rotuma is and island and nearby islets
located some 400 miles (645km) north of Fiji. It is controlled by
Fiji. It has approximately 1600 inhabitants which have a
distinct language and culture from other parts of Fiji. In
1987, after the a coup in Fiji A part-Rotuman man named Henry Gibson
announced the independence of Rotuma from Fiji with the creation of the
Republic of Rotuma. He then proclaimed himself King of Rotuma
(I am not sure how one can be the king of a republic). The
independence movement seems to have died out soon thereafter.
In 2020 an unofficial coin was struck for Rotuma. The 39mm
scalloped 50 Pa'atuna coin depicts a Rotuma myzomela bird (Myzomela
chermesina). The bird is endemic to Rotuma. The
other side depicts the arms of Rotuma. The Proof coin has a mintage of
just 160 pieces.
After Belgian Congo
gained its
independence in 1960, Belgium issued a coin for what was left of its
African territories: Rwanda and Burundi. Only a
single coin type was issued for the joint territory of Rwanda-Burundi:
a brass 1 Franc. This brass 1961 brass 1 Franc coin features
a walking lion on one side. The other has the names of the
territories and the denomination. In 1962
Rwanda and Burundi were both granted independence 
A
Green Sea Turtle is featured on this 1977 10 Rupees from
Seychelles. Beneath the turtle is the legend "SEA RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT". The obverse features the Seychelles coat of
arms. The 34.5mm copper-nickel coin was issued in
conjunction with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's
(FAO) coin program. The program encouraged nations to issue
coins to encourage the production of more food. Some of the coins were
sold to collectors to raise funds for agricultural programs. 
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 they 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. 
This
2020 Proof 4 Pound gold coin of South Georgia and South Sandwich
Islands has an incredibly low mintage of just 199 pieces. The
13.92 mm coin contains 1/25 troy ounce of gold. The coin
comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity in a red presentation
box. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. The reverse
depicts a Macaroni Penguin. Macaroni Penguins are so named
because of the spectacular orange tufted plumes on its head. In 18th
century England, a Macaroni was an individual who dressed with
flamboyant or excessive ornamentation. 
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.
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-sided 1976 5
Senti which shows a sailfish, the scalloped 1979 10 Senti which shows a
Zebra, the 1984 20 Senti which shows an Ostrich, the 1989 50
Senti which shows a rabbit and the 1990 1 Shillingi features an
outstretched arm holding a torch. 
A cute Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus
vulgaris) is featured on the reverse this unofficial 2020 dated 5 Pound
coin of the Isle of Wight. The obverse of the eight-sided
silver-plated proof coin depicts Queen Elizabeth and the arms of Wight.
Only 160 pieces were struck. Wight is a 147 square mile (380 sq.km.)
island off the southern coast of England. It has been
inhabited since ancient times. Queen Victoria had
fond childhood memories of the island and made it her favorite location
for holidays. That made it a popular tourists destination, which it has
remained ever since. Victoria died there in 1901.
The island is rich in dinosaur fossils. 
