Opening the Door to Architecture on Coins (Part 2)

This is a continuation post (part 2 of 2) about architecture and various buildings on coins. While there are plenty of coins focused on a specific structure already built, some coins depict the process and progress of construction. One of the UNITED STATES’ four Lincoln commemorative penny designs (year 2009) shows a moment almost a couple centuries ago when the national Capitol building project was not quite completed — a fitting notion that the USA, despite a few bricks being dismantled at times, is symbolically endeavoring to build a united and democratic home for its people.

On the FRANCE 10 Francs coin of the year 1979, the type of buildings being constructed are not obvious, but what is apparent is that this coin captures a busy scene in its stylishly cluttered design. As a bonus for a mapmaker like me, this coin’s obverse side features an artistic outline map of France. However, this map is not exactly geographically accurate — the coin designer rammed the island of Corsica into southeast France!

One subsection within all the possible numismatics related to architecture involves currency with bridges that usually have a national significance. In the Photo Finish feature (page 130) of the September 2021, volume 62, issue 3204 of Coin World magazine, Jeff Starck compiled several coin collecting possibilities that “bridge the gap between world coins and engineering.” The page contains a coin that looks familiar from the Part 1 post: a 50 Filler coin from HUNGARY with the Elisabeth Bridge. The Coin World example has the year 1978; the coin in my collection is dated 1991. The following are several other examples of modern world coins that display bridges. The year in parentheses is the date pictured on the coin in the magazine. As with other world coin themes, there are many other possibilities to discover. I wish you good luck in finding coins with architecture, bridges, or any other desired theme to build your collection!

● AUSTRALIA 1 Dollar (2007) – Sydney Harbor Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)

● COOK ISLANDS 10 Dollars (2007) – Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, USA — images and info at Numista (↗)

● JAPAN 1000 Yen (2014) – Uji Bridge near Kyoto — images and info at Numista (↗)

● MACAU 20 Patacas (1974) – Macau-Taipa Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)
Also known as Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge

● PALAU 5 Dollars (2013) – Golden Gate Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)

● PORTUGAL 20 Escudos (1966) silver (Numista ↗), 20 Escudos (1966) gold pattern (Numista ↗), and 2 Euro (2016) bimetallic (Numista ↗) – the same bridge in Lisbon but different name:
The 20 Escudos bridge is listed as Ponte Salazar (former name), translating as Salazar Bridge in English; the 2 Euro coin labels the bridge as Ponte 25 de Abril (current name), a.k.a. 25th of April Bridge

● SINGAPORE 5 Dollars (1982) – Benjamin Sheares Bridge — images and info at Numista (↗)