Michael Souza

The Battle of Hong Kong Remembered

11 November 2016 30 October 2016Canadian Coinage, History In Coins

Canada’s first land combat of the Second World War began on December 8, 1941, when, mere hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese launched an invasion on the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Outnumbered and less well equipped than the enemy, the odds were not in the Canadians’ favour as they defended the peninsula, then the island itself. Over 550 of the 1,975 Canadians sent to Hong Kong never made it home; but during the 17 days of fierce fighting, they fought valiantly, even engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, as they defended Hong Kong…

Outstanding Iconic Animals

2 November 2016 1 November 2016Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

Nature is an integral part of Canada’s national identity. Throughout its vast wilderness are species that tower above all others as iconic national symbols. These magnificent animals have shaped Canada’s character and reign as cornerstones in the rich cultural legacy of its Indigenous peoples. This new series honours five pillars of the Canadian wild. Each coin features a meticulously crafted sculpture mounted on its surface to bring unprecedented dimension, look and feel to its design—and what better species to place on such a pedestal for the first coin than the…

Mint’s First 3-D Coin

20 October 2016 20 October 2016Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

The Mint’s First True 3-D Coin Ever! Unique printing and embossing bring unprecedented dimension to the engraved design! Few sights are as electrifying as a breaching whale, and this coin features one of the most iconic species that can be witnessed off Canada’s east and west coasts. For the first time ever, we combined a unique printing and embossing process to create a 3-D whale that appears to be launching itself right off the surface of the coin to jaw-dropping effect. Designed by Canadian artist Matt Bowen, the coin features a three-dimensional depiction of…

To boldly go where no Mint has gone before

28 September 2016 21 November 2016Unusual Coins

The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled (12th May) a new series of coins celebrating the 50th anniversary of the television debut of Star Trek, which aired its first episode in September of 1966. The series, now considered a cult-classic with tens of millions of admirers worldwide, was created by screenwriter Gene Rodenberry (1921 – 1991); it told the story of the crew aboard the Starship U.S.S. Enterprise, whose mission was “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” The fictional space travelers were headed by Captain James “Jim” Tiberius Kirk, who was born in the…

Glass stamp another first for Austria

12 September 2016 11 September 2016Stamps

In 2014, Austria issued the first stamp made of ceramic and in 2015, they issued the first stamp printed on leather. (Please see my earlier post to our club website: http://northshorenumismaticsociety.org/category/stamps/) In June 2016, Austria issued the first postage stamp printed on glass. With this glass stamp Austrian Post is presenting a very special, exclusive stamp and once again showing a great deal of innovative spirit when it comes to stamp design – to date no stamp valid for franking has ever been made out of glass anywhere in the world. The glass stamp shows one of the famous “Sandlbilder”:…

Pope John Paul Commemorative Coin

6 September 2016 5 September 2016Unusual Coins

We wish to thank Judy Blackman, the author of this article, and Keith Day-Thorburn, editor of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Society’s NumisNotes for their permission to reproduce this article in its entirety. A Different Look For PJP By Judy Blackman Those who viewed my 5-case Papal (God’s Spirit) exhibit at the 2009 ONA Convention, know I have a vast collection, and the judges kindly awarded me a 1st Place ribbon for the Non-Canadian Coins and Tokens. Although I’ve sold off some parts of this collection since then, it remains large. Despite this, I…

Founding of the Republic of China

5 September 2016 5 September 2016Medals

This article is credited to Michael Wilson of the North Shore Numismatic Society. This silver medal was struck by Taiwan on National Day, October 10, 1971, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China. It features a portrait of, then president Chiang Kai-shek on the obverse, along with the inscription “The 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China” The reverse features two joined Chinese characters for the number “10” (++) symbolizing the tenth day of the tenth month of 1911, the day of the Wuchang…

Tetradrachm of Probus

30 July 2016 29 July 2016History In Coins

This is a tetradrachm from Alexandria in Egypt. It depicts Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus on the obverse and an Eagle on the reverse. Probus was born in AD 232 in Sirmium (modern day Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia) and became emperor in AD 276. In AD 278, he successfully campaigned against Gallic tribes that pushed into Roman territory, and in AD 279 – 280, his generals defeated Vandals in the Roman provinces of Raetia, Illyricum, and Lycia. In the same years, Probus’ generals defeated the Blemmyes in Egypt. In AD 280–281, Probus put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. …

3D Egg Shaped Coin

13 April 2016 13 April 2016Unusual Coins

The Mint of Poland has created an innovative coin in the shape of a 3D Egg. The 2016 coin known as the “Trans Siberian Railway Egg” garnered a lot of attention at the World Money Fair 2016. Creation of such an innovative product was a big challenge, even for the exquisite craftsmen at the Mint of Poland. The task was demanding not only due to unusual shape of the coin, but also – due to its additional surface that was to be covered with artistic relief images. It was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of building the longest railroad…

Innovative New Stamp

22 March 2016 22 March 2016Stamps

In 2015, Austria issued the first postage stamp made of leather. It is in the shape of a pair of lederhosen and has 6 Swarovski crystals embedded in it. The combination of Swarovski crystals and a pair of lederhosen is actually obvious. Both are a kind of symbol of the Alpine world and are often associated with Austria. For instance, lederhosen are part of the basic wardrobe for many a Tyrolean. They are usually made out of deerskin, sewn by hand and short for daily wear or in the form of knickerbockers for special occasions. Braces serve to ensure that…

Cutting edge technology

12 March 2016 12 March 2016Unusual Coins

This Mongolian coin is an extraordinary piece of minted Silver. Through the use of a modern cutting method, a technically advanced and delicate work of art has been created. This beautiful gilded coin shows a howling Mongolian wolf, also known as a Tibetan wolf. The reverse displays the Mongolian Coat of Arms and the coin’s value, 500 togrog. It was the winner of the most original technology and 2013 Coin of the Year at the Fifth International Coin Conference and Exhibition in Moscow. Product Specifications Year: 2013 Mintage: 2,500 Grade: Brilliant…

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

8 February 2016 3 February 2016Unusual Coins

To celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year, Pobjoy Mint has issued a unique coin which incorporates some of the old Chinese traditions to bring luck. February 8th 2016 sees the start of the Lunar Year of the Monkey which has been celebrated since 2600BC and it’s based on the cycles of the moon. The design on the coin shows an intrepid monkey walking along a branch surrounded by cherry blossom, which is considered one of the most popular flowers as a symbol of good luck. The obverse of each coin features the new effigy design of Her Majesty…

Proudly wave the Flag

7 December 2015 6 December 2015Canadian Coinage

With its bright red maple leaf, the famous red-and-white flag stands as a proud symbol for Canadians. As our national banner, it speaks of our sense of belonging to a broader community, one that is a growing, vibrant mosaic of different cultures, languages and beliefs! It also represents our history and our identity within the international community as we work together to shape a future for ourselves, and for generations to follow. On the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, celebrate this iconic symbol with a uniquely shaped coin that mirrors the flag’s own rectangular outline. What better…

Canadian Remembrance Day Coin

11 November 2015 7 November 2015Canadian Coinage

The year 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the poem In Flanders Fields, which was written by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae amid the horrors of the Second Battle of Ypres in May 1915. Through his hauntingly poignant poem, McCrae succeeded in giving a voice to the 60,000 Canadians who would lose their lives in the First World War, and ignited an international effort to keep their legacy alive. To mark this anniversary, this fine silver coin is a solemn remembrance of those who bravely served their country abroad in a time of war–lest we forget. A…

United States Banknotes for Hawaii

10 November 2015 7 November 2015Bank Notes

In early 1942, the United States government began issuing a special set of banknotes custom-made for Hawaii. The back of each note looked identical to the existing U.S. paper currency apart from one major difference: the word “HAWAII” was stamped across it. The design of these notes wasn’t the most elegant—the “HAWAII” looked as though it was inscribed by someone with a black ballpoint pen and a ruler. But that’s understandable, given their circumstances: these banknotes were an emergency series, rushed to print in the months following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. The idea was that if Japan invaded Hawaii, the U.S. government could immediately…

Micronesia $8 Stamp

8 November 2015 7 November 2015Stamps

In 2012, the Federated States of Micronesia issued this $8 stamp. What is unusual is that rather than being printed on paper, it is embroidered. This cloth stamp is quite large measuring 67 mm x 42 mm and the design is a stylized dragon in red. The back of the stamp has a paper covering that protects the gum. To use the stamp, you would peel away the paper exposing the gum and press the stamp onto the envelope. Image courtesy of W4 Stamps Collectibles (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronesia-2012-MNH-Year-of-Dragon-1v-Embroidered-Stamp-Chinese-Lunar-New-Year-/271833842022)

1969 Nanaimo Bathtub Race Token

29 October 2015 16 October 2015Token Talk

The Nanaimo Bathtub Race began in 1967 and the race entailed crossing the Strait of Georgia from Nanaimo to Vancouver. The distance travelled was 36 miles and all conceivable types of watercraft entered the competition. The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society began issuing tokens commemorating the annual race in 1969 and has continued to do so each year. In 1969, The Diners’ Rendezvous restaurant in downtown Nanaimo, owned by Wong Bros Enterprises Ltd., decided to issue its own token to commemorate this event and at the same time, promote their own business which was celebrating its…

Hong Kong 1941 1 Cent

26 October 2015 18 October 2015Coins Of The World

In the 1930s, all the coins for Hong Kong were minted in England and shipped to the colony. When war started in December 1941, five shipments of the 1 Cent coins were enroute to the colony. According to the records at the British Royal Mint, one shipment was unloaded in South Africa, returned to the Mint and melted down. The fate of the remaining four shipments is unknown and there are rumors that one shipment was sunk by a Japanese submarine and another shipment was captured by the Japanese in Hong Kong and melted down for the war. Although…

Keeling Cocos Islands “Plastic Ivory” Tokens

25 October 2015 16 October 2015Unusual Coins

The Keeling-Cocos Islands were 27 coral islands situated in the Indian Ocean located 1,300 miles northwest of Australia. They were discovered by Captain William Keeling of the British East India Company in 1609. A settlement was established on Direction Island by English adventurer, Alexander Hare and Captain John Clunes Ross for the purpose of storing East Indian spices for reshipment to Europe. When the venture failed, Hare left the island and Clunies Ross became its sole owner. The island began exporting coconut products, calcium and phosphate. The coral group became a British protectorate in 1856, was attached to the…

Somalia Map Shaped Coins

24 October 2015 16 October 2015Unusual Coins

In their continuing their series of odd-shaped multi-colored coins, Somalia released a six coin set of map shaped coins for 2013. Each coin is shaped in the outline of a country. It appears they picked the countries with the largest numbers of active coin collectors. Each map shaped coin is decorated with a design from the nation’s flag. Included are Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Russia and United States (without Alaska and Hawaii). The multi-colored coins are approximately 38mm (1.5 inches) long. The coins are dated 2013 and are denominated 1 Dollar. The date, denomination and arms of Somalia are on…

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