Unusual Coins – North Shore Numismatic Society Vancouver

2018 Yin Yang Coin

5 May 2018 5 May 2018Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

These two amazing Canadian yin and yang-shaped silver coins feature two heroes of Chinese tradition—the Tiger and the Dragon. They are designed to fit together to form a perfect circle. The theme of balance is fully realized in their stunning imagery, rich colour, and singular design! Yin and yang function together to represent harmony and balance among opposing forces. Though associated with opposition traits (Tiger/Dragon, black/white, feminine/masculine, hard/soft, heaven/earth), there is no hierarchy between them. The Tiger, earthy and cunning, conjures strength and bravery. The mythical Dragon, master of the heavens, is associated with power and was once synonymous…

First Coin with a Game App

5 May 2018 5 May 2018Coins Of The World, Unusual Coins

Issued on behalf of Sierra Leone in conjunction with Rovio Entertainment Corporation, this fabulous new coin which features Red includes a special Zappar code which allows you to enter Bird World and interact with the Angry Birds™. Angry Birds hatched as a casual mobile game that has blossomed into one of the most beloved entertainment brands in the world, inspiring over a dozen games, billions of consumer products, several animated series and a hit blockbuster movie. In the centre of the story is the epic battle between the flightless birds and the green pigs. Why do they fight?…

Coca-Cola Bottle Cap Coin

23 February 2018 23 February 2018Coins Of The World, Unusual Coins

Since 1892, Coca-Cola has been encouraging the world to open happiness by enjoying an ice-cold Coca-Cola beverage with friends and family. Their relatable branding and timeless appeal has made Coca-Cola an internationally recognized icon. For the first time in history, Coca-Cola has made its way into numismatics with officially-licensed Coca-Cola bottle cap-shaped $1 silver coins. Every “cap” is $1 legal tender, its value and purity backed by the government of Fiji. SPECIFICATIONS Mintage: 25,000 Material: Pure Silver (99.99%) Finish: Proof Weight: 6 Grams Dimensions: 32.6mm Denomination: $1.00 Images courtesy of Modern Coin Mart (https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Fiji-Coca-Cola-Bottle-Cap-Shaped-6g-Silver-Proof-1-Coin-in-OGP-SKU50357/132390699688?hash=item1ed319c2a8:g:9M0AAOSw4PxaHtLb) Description courtesy…

125th Anniversary of the Stanley Cup

3 October 2017 3 October 2017Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

In 1892, the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley, donated a silver bowl for the purpose of fostering a competitive spirit between Canada’s amateur hockey teams. From this expression of support sprung a rich legacy, as the Stanley Cup evolved into one of the most revered trophy in professional sports—and a celebrated icon in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Stanley Cup’s origins, with a one-of-a-kind shaped coin that pays tribute to hockey’s ultimate prize. Special Features: -AN OUTSTANDING RCM FIRST: Introducing the first ever Stanley Cup-shaped coin! -Struck…

Bejeweled Bugs: Butterfly

25 July 2017 25 July 2017Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

Exploring the new releases at Royal Canadian Mint at mint.ca. They have a butterfly: 1 oz. Pure Silver Coloured Coin – Bejeweled Bugs: Butterfly – Mintage: 4,000 And here’s what they have to say: “A FIRST! A gemstone-adorned butterfly on a pure silver coin! Order today! Basking in the warm rays of the summer sun, the butterfly is arguably the winged jewel of the insect world! This timeless symbol of love, hope and faith has long been an object of fascination, admiration and inspiration around the world. It is also a powerful metaphor for life and change, famously transitioning from ravenous…

Sesquicentennial Puzzle Coin

12 July 2017 12 July 2017Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

Canadian heraldic artist Cathy Bursey-Sabourin has recreated Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial shields on a series of jigsaw pieces that encircle a central coin to create a large, 14-part coin. Each shield is exquisitely coloured and presented in the order each province and territory entered Confederation. A garland of maple leaves visually connects the pieces and carries a ribbon with each province’s and territory’s year of entry into Confederation. The central coin features a selectively gold plated Centre Block of Parliament Hill…

Resistance is Futile! The Borg are on a coin

30 April 2017 30 April 2017Canadian Coinage, Unusual Coins

Star Trek™: The Borg - 1 oz. Pure Silver Coloured Coin (2017) - See more at: http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/coin-prod2930141?lang=en_CA#.WQWhvogrKCo

Royal Canadian Mint have released a coin celebrating the Borg from Star Trek > “From 1987 to 1994, Star Trek™: The Next Generation built upon the spirit of The Original Series by updating the themesto reflect its time. Even today, Canadian Star Trek™ fans remain as dedicated as ever to it, with a stellar cast of characters and gripping episodes such as “The Best of Both Worlds,” which included one of the most memorable antagonists of all time: the Borg. The formidable Borg pose one of the greatest threats to the Federation. They are uncompromising in their desire for “perfection,”…

The U.S. Capitol Building

7 March 2017 6 March 2017History In Coins, Unusual Coins

This 2017 $1 coin produced by the Pobjoy Mint for The British Virgin Islands is in the shape of the U.S. Capitol Building. The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol Building or Capitol Hill, is the home of the United States Congress and the seat of the Legislative branch of the US Federal Government. It sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. William Thornton is the man we can thank for this marvel of engineering and as he was born in the British Virgin Island,…

Wake up to a New Year

1 January 2017 21 November 2016Coins Of The World, Unusual Coins

According to the Chinese zodiac, the year 2017 is ruled by the Rooster. The Rooster loves to be the centre of attention; witty and self-assured, he or she can talk about anything! A natural performer, he or she does amazingly well in any career that puts him or her in the public eye. The Rooster is astute, organized and decisive—put him or her in charge, and your life and finances will run like clockwork! The coin features the 24-karat gilded image of a rooster in the middle of a ring made of real jade.…

Mount Vesuvius commemorated

23 November 2016 14 November 2016History In Coins, Unusual Coins

Vesuvius is one of two active volcanoes located on the European mainland, and one of the five most dangerous and oldest volcanoes in the world. It is located 9 km east of Naples on the Italian mainland. In August 79 AD, its eruption led to the burying and destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as several other settlements. The thermal energy released by the eruption was a hundred thousand times the thermal energy released by the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings. More than 1,000 people died in the eruption, but exact numbers…

Happy 90th Birthday

16 November 2016 8 November 2016Unusual Coins

The British Virgin Islands released this unusual bi-metallic 1 Dollar coin in 2016 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday. The coin is struck in the shape of the numeral “90”. Both sides of the coin feature portraits of the Queen. One portrait is surrounded by bouquet made up of the Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Daffodil of Wales and the Shamrock of Ireland. The flowers represent the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. The other side includes a different portrait of the Queen and the royal crown surrounded by…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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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