I just got a HUTT RIVER PROVINCE $5 Dollar coin from 1991. It features an Apache Helocopter during Desert Storm. To me the coin appears to be a copper-nickel alloy, but the little card included in the flip says it is minted in German Silver. What is German Silver? Appreciate the help. JonySky
German silver is just a tricky term to describe the metal is "silver-like" but has ZERO silver in it. A quick check on google seems to suggest that it is, "GERMAN SILVER [German silver] name for various alloys of copper, zinc, and nickel, sometimes also containing lead and tin. They were originally named for their silver-white color, but use of the term silver is now prohibited for alloys not containing that metal. German silver varies in composition, the percentage of the three elements ranging approximately as follows: copper, from 50% to 61.6%; zinc, from 19% to 17.2%; nickel, from 30% to 21.1%. The proportions are always specified in commercial alloys. German silver is extensively used because of its hardness, toughness, and resistance to corrosion for articles such as tableware (commonly silver plated), marine fittings, and plumbing fixtures. Because of its high electrical resistance it is used also in heating coils. It was discovered (early 19th cent.) by a German industrial chemist, E. A. Geitner." http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/G/Germansi.asp
A fantasy realm created by an Australian farmer who didn't like the provincial laws affecting his business. It is not recognized by any world government, even though forum member Aidan Work loves to argue that it is a real country. Somewhat more than 99.99% of world coin collectors consider its issues to be exonumia.
H.R.P.P. $5 coin. JonySky,I have got this coin.It was struck at the New Queensland Mint,which is located in California,not Queensland,Australia! As to the status of the Hutt River Province Principality (which is the full title of this unrecognised British Commonwealth country),it is a proper country that has a territory. Here's a link; www.huttriver.net . Aidan.
