Sri Lanka and Vanuatu Coins Update

Greetings! This blog's Odd Shaped Coins List (↗) has a new entry for SRI LANKA. The raindrop-shaped country in South Asia has several designs of the rounded heptagon (seven-sided) 20 Rupees commemorative coins of 2020 and 2021. I wrote down "2021-present" to account for relevant coins that may be dated 2022 or 2023 as well as possible coins in the future. In the year 1999, the Oceanic island country of VANUATU issued an octagon-shaped 50 Vatu coin that is now listed on the page. Thanks for visiting the Money & Geography Blog!

Kazakhstan and Mexico Coins Update

Greetings! I just updated the Odd Shaped Coins List (↗) with several additional entries. The KAZAKHSTAN table is updated with seven additional coins, all with the 100 Tenge denomination. They are the 1) 100 Tenge horizontal oval of 2014, 2) 100 Tenge horizontal rectangle of 2014-2016, 3) 100 Tenge vertical rectangle of 2016, 4) 100 Tenge horseshoe of 2016, 5) 100 Tenge of 2017 with an abstract shape surrounding a turtle design (not quite a turtle-shaped coin), 6) 100 Tenge triangle of 2017, and 7) 100 Tenge octagon of 2018. The 2018 octagon entry pertains to a 12-coin Zodiac series. Finally, the MEXICO table is updated with the slightly dodecagonal 20 Pesos of 2019-present. If you know of any coins not listed on the page, please let me know with a comment or email; thanks!

Mali 10 Francs (1976) Coin

● Country: MALI
● Denomination: 10 Francs
● Year: 1976

● KM (Krause-Mishler) number: KM #E3

● Diameter or dimension: 23.5 mm

● Metallic content: aluminum

● NGC coin values: 16 US Dollars in uncirculated grade

● Numista link: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces133998.html

● NGC World Coin Price Guide link: https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/mali-10-francs-km-e3-1976-cuid-1126575-duid-1436346

● Obverse: country’s bank and name in French, denomination, and year

● Reverse: sorghum plant with a vertical line of text, ESSAI, to the right between the “4:00” (four o’clock) and “5:00” (five o’clock) positions of the coin; essai indicates that this coin is a pattern/trial/test coin

● Original image credit: National Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and NumisMaster

December Coin of the Month: Panama

● Country: PANAMA
● Denomination: 500 Balboas
● Year: 1978

● KM (Krause-Mishler) number: KM 57

● Weight: 41.7 grams

● Metallic content: 90% gold

● Mintage: only 10 with the M mint mark!

● NGC coin values: NGC coin values: $2 US Dollars in extra fine (XF) grade, $3 mint state 60, $5 MS 63, and $8 MS 65; $20 in proof 63

● NGC World Coin Price Guide link: https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/panama-500-balboas-km-57-1978-cuid-1081488-duid-1514223

November Coin of the Month: Belgium

● Country: BELGIUM
● Denomination: 500 Francs
● Year: 1980

● KM (Krause-Mishler) number: KM 162

● Diameter or dimension: 37 mm

● Metallic content: silver clad copper-nickel (cupronickel)

● Mintage: 1,000,000 non-proof (this coin), 52,000 proof (KM 162a)

● NGC coin values: NGC coin values: $2 US Dollars in extra fine (XF) grade, $3 mint state 60, $5 MS 63, and $8 MS 65; $20 in proof 63

● NGC World Coin Price Guide link: https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/belgium-500-francs-km-162-nd1980-cuid-1043009-duid-1309161

● Obverse: five circular portraits of monarchs, country name, 1830 and 1980 dates signifying the 150th year anniversary of Belgium’s independence, country name divided in two lines (BEL— and GIË), and crown above 1980
       KM 161 French language coin depicts the crown to the left of the country name’s first line (BEL—), which is shifted to the right to be centered above the second line (GIQUE)

● Reverse: outline map of the country containing the Dutch text “150 Jaar Onafhankelijkheid van Belgie” (English translation: “150 years of Belgian Independence”) in all caps, with the bottom denomination flanked by two privy marks
       KM 161 French language coin also has an outline map but contains the following all caps text: 150 Ans d’Independance de la Belgique (English translation: “150 Years of Belgian Independence”)

● Original image credit: World Coin Gallery

October Coin of the Month: Croatia

● Country: CROATIA
● Denomination: 25 Kuna
● Year: 1997

● Diameter or dimension: 32 mm

● Metallic content: outer ring with cupronickel and center core with brass

● Mintage: 300,000 non-proof (this coin), 2,000 proof

● NGC coin values: $7 USD in mint state 60, $8 MS 63, and $9 MS 65

● NGC World Coin Price Guide link: https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/croatia-25-kuna-km-48-1997-cuid-1040445-duid-1301814

● Description: Map of Croatia superimposed over a world outline map in commemoration of Croatia’s five-year membership in the United Nations. Official and native country name (REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA) encircling the denomination and stylized marten; olive branch and leaves, coat of arms, and acorns and oak leaves along the bottom half

● Shape: dodecagon (12-sided)

● Original image credit: World Coin Gallery

September 2022 Coin of the Month: Saudi Arabia

The September 2022 Coin of the Month features the Saudi Arabia 100 Halala (↗) minted in the year 1419 (1998). According to the Numismatic Guaranty Company’s online World Coin Price Guide powered by NumisMaster, this bimetallic base metal coin encompasses a diameter of 23 mm and weighs 6 grams. This 100 Halala coin features a reeded edge and celebrates a centennial: 100 years since the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ornate Arabic script indicates that the ruler in 1998 was Fahad Bin Abd Al-Aziz. As of September 2022, the average value of this coin in Very Fine (VF) grade is $2.50 (U.S. Dollars); Extra Fine (XF) grade is $3.50; Mint State 60 grade is $5.00; and Mint State 63 grade is $7.00. A proof coin with the grade of Proof 63 is valued on average at $12.50.

August 2022 Coin of the Month: Italy

The August 2022 Coin of the Month features the Italy 500 Lire (↗) minted in the year 1993. According to the Numismatic Guaranty Company’s online World Coin Price Guide powered by NumisMaster, this 83.5% silver coin contains 0.4027 ounces of silver and weighs 15 grams. This 500 Lire of 1993 celebrates the noble virtues of education as well as the 650th anniversary of the University of Pisa’s foundation.

The reverse prominently features the city of Pisa’s coat of arms and frames the world-renown Leaning Tower of Pisa within a scroll design. 41,000 coins were minted in uncirculated condition and 9,080 coins were minted in proof condition. Paradoxically, the lower mintage of the proof coin does not necessarily make it more valuable than the uncirculated version. As of August 29th, 2022, the average value of the uncirculated coin in Mint State 60 grade is $70 (U.S. Dollars); a proof coin with the grade of Proof 63 is valued on average at $60; and the silver-content value is $7.60.

July 2022 Coin of the Month: Spain

The 2005-dated 300 Euro coin from SPAIN is the July 2022 Coin of the Month. This 40-millimeter proof and dodecagonal (12-sided) coin celebrates the country’s stellar participation at the 2005 FIFA World Cup Championship in Germany. Having a rather low mintage of 8,000, this plain-edged coin weighs 28.8 grams. This bimetallic Coin of the Month includes a center core comprised of a 99.9% (0.999) gold and 92.5% (0.925) silver mix surrounded by a ring of 92.5% silver. The Proof 63 version of this coin is valued at $1350 as of July 31st, 2022. There is also a coin dated 2006 with the same composition and shape. High-quality photography and additional details can be found on the NGC World Coin Price Guide (↗).

June 2022 Coin of the Month: Germany

Money & Geography's Coin of the Month is the GERMANY 10 Euro (€10) of 2010 — which contains 92.5% silver even though the images on NGC's website have a golden appearance (Numista's website shows silvery coins). Displaying a German outline map containing the phrase WIR SIND EIN VOLK ("WE ARE ONE PEOPLE" in English), this coin celebrates the 10 year anniversary of the country's reunification and features a motto on the edge: EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT ("UNITY AND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM"). The Proof 63 version of this coin is valued at a relatively affordable $25 as of June 27th, 2022. High-quality photography and additional details can be found on the NGC World Coin Price Guide (↗).

May 2022 Coin of the Month: Lithuania

The May 2022 Coin of the Month is a newly released LITHUANIA (Lietuva) 2 Euro coin, celebrating the 100th year anniversary of basketball being a popular sport in the Baltic country. The dual dates 1922 and 2022 are listed under a Lithuanian map shape featuring a recognizable basketball court layout. This bimetallic €2 commemorative coin from the Lithuanian Mint (↗) was listed for retail at 11 Euros (€11) but is unfortunately sold out from the official mint website.

April 2022 Coin of the Month: Prince Edward Island

The April 2022 Coin of the Month is the bronze 1 Cent issued in 1871 for Prince Edward Island in present-day CANADA. Beneath the vegetation on the coin's reverse is the territory's Latin motto, PARVA SUB INGENTI, which translates to "The small under the protection of the great." The P.E.I. 1 Cent in Proof 63 condition is valued at $2,000 as of April 25th, 2022. Scanned photography and additional details of this coin can be found on the NGC World Coin Price Guide (↗).

March 2022 Coin of the Month: Chad

The March 2022 Coin of the Month is the CHAD 10,000 Francs 90% gold coin issued in the year 1970 but displaying a year of 1960. This coin featuring Charles de Gaulle commemorates his legacy as well as the North African country's 10th anniversary. Containing over an ounce of gold, this coin is valued at $2,041.48 as of March 27th, 2022. High-quality photography and additional details can be found on the NGC World Coin Price Guide (↗).

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 (↗)

Opening the Door to Architecture on Coins (Part 1)

Depending on which country or territory you live in, you might have received and spent circulating coins with a particular building on it. The central design element on the heads (obverse) or tails (reverse) side of the coin might be a lighthouse, bridge, castle, mint building, pagoda, mosque, church, etc. — the architectural possibilities are seemingly endless! Reverse sides of the UNITED STATES’ coinage and banknotes are well-known for their monumental buildings: the Lincoln Memorial on a longstanding former design of the Abraham Lincoln penny, Monticello on the Thomas Jefferson nickel, an assortment of buildings on circulating commemorative quarters and $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, etc.

There are several worldwide coins in my collection that have designs of architectural structures. These include the…

● BARBADOS 5 Cents (2005) with the South Point Lighthouse in Atlantic Shores

● CUBA 10 Centavos (2000) with the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Fuerza Castle) — images and info at Numista (↗)

● HUNGARY 50 Filler (1991) with the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest

● ISLE OF MAN 1 Penny (2002) with the Ancient Keeills of Man (Castles of Man)

● JERSEY 1 Penny (1994) with the Le Hocq Watchtower in Saint Clement

● SLOVAKIA 10 Halierov (1993) with the steeple of the Saint Nicholas Wooden Church in Mikulasova — images and info at Numista (↗)

● SUDAN 2 Dinars (1994) with a Central Bank of Sudan building in Khartoum — images and info at Numista (↗)

● THAILAND 10 Baht (1989) bimetallic coin with Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok — images and info at Numista (↗)

Part 2 out of 2 is coming soon on the Money & Geography Blog!