The Sealand movie got a lot of hype before its release. Since Coin Talk is a numismatic forum, I wondered if any member or visitor, might be interested in the coinage of the micro-nation. The Principality of Sealand began commissioning coins in 1972. The first to be minted was a $10 silver (925 per cent fine silver) coin with a mintage of a mere 2000 pieces. The coins' values were set on a par with the United States Dollar, but do not circulate on Sealand nor are recognized as legal tender by any other nation. Most are sold to raise funds for the ongoing radio, television and internet enterprise. Here's a photo of that first coin courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: 1972 Ten Dollars(worldcoingallery.com photo) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...sc=Sealand x1 10 Dollars (1972)&query=Sealand More coins were struck in 1975 and 1977, introducing the $20 and $100 coins. The 10 and 20 Dollar coins were minted in silver, and the $100 was minted in 900‰ fine gold. The 1975 10 Dollars featured the same designs as the 1972. Two changes occurred in 1977 on the 10 Dollars (2000 minted) coin (Princess Joan's hair on obverse and a new coat of arms in lieu of the ship on the reverse) wikipedia.com photos: 1977 10 Dollars (worldcoingallery.com photo) Obverse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1977SX$10Obverse.gif Reverse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1977SX$10Reverse.gif NOTE: Prince Roy was also featured on the obverse of 2,000 1977 silver 10 Dollar coins. Here's a photo of the 10 Dollars featuring Prince Roy on obverse and Principality of Sealand on reverse courtesy of worldcoingallery.com: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...0 Dollars (1977) Roy of Sealand&query=Sealand 1975 20 Dollars (worldcoingallery.com photo) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... Dollars (1975) Princess Joan I&query=Sealand 1975 100 Dollars In 1994 the "Treasures of the Sea" Sealand dollars were minted, with an Orca (killer Whale) on the reverse. The $0.25 (quarter), $0.50 (Half Dollar), $1, $2.50 and $5 were also introduced. The $0.25 was minted in bronze and 999‰ fine silver; the $0.50 was minted in copper- nickel and silver; the $1 and $2.5 in bronze, silver and gold; and the $5 was minted only in gold. The orca is the reverse side, the coat of arms is on the obverse. 1994 Bronze (1111 minted) 25 Cents (worldcoingallery.com photo) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...0 Dollars (1977) Roy of Sealand&query=Sealand 1994 Silver (500 minted) 25 Cents (worldcoingallery.com photo) 1994 Copper-nickel (1111 minted) 50 Cents (worldcoingallery.com photo) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Sealand x8 50 Cents (1994)&query=Sealand Obverse 1994 silver (500 minted) 50 Cents (wikipedia photo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$0.5SilverObverse.gif <b>Reverse 1994 silver (500 minted) 50 Cents (wikipedia.com photo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$0.5SilverReverse.gif 1994 silver (20,000 minted) 1 Dollar (worldcoingallery.com photo) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Sealand x9 1 Dollar (1994)&query=Sealand Obverse 1994 gold (1111 minted) 1 Dollar (wikipedia.com photo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$1GoldObverse.gif Reverse 1994 gold (1111 minted) 1 Dollar (wikipedia.com photo) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$1GoldReverse.gif 1994 Bronze (10,000 minted) 2 1/2 Dollars(wikipedia.com photo) Obverse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$2.5BronzeObverse.gif Reverse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$2.5BronzeReverse.gif The 1994 2 1/2 Dollars coin was also minted in silver (500 pieces) and gold (1111 pieces) Here's a photo of the 1994 gold (2,500 minted) 5 Dollars courtesy of wikipedia.com: Obverse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1994SX$5GoldObverse.gif The Orca's on the reverse. In 1991 a 100 Dollar coin was struck in antiqued silver featuring Sealand's Prime Minister, Johannes Seiger on the obverse. Photo courtesy of worldcoingallery.com: 1991 antiqued silver 100 Dollars (worldcoingallery.com photo) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... Dollars (1991) Johannes Seiger&query=Sealand For an enjoyable history lesson of Sealand click this link: http://www.sealandgov.org/history.html Click this next link to become a Lord or Lady of Sealand: http://www.sealandgov.org/ Hope you enjoyed... Clinker
Glad I'm not alone in not hearing of Sealand. I don't feel too bad though, as neither has Google Earth. Guy
Hmm, Sealand is not exactly unknown around here. But if you don't know about it, you have not missed much. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sealand Christian
To: Leadfoot, mat, randygeki and coleguy: More micronations and their coinage coming in future posts. chrisild: Plan on doing posts on micronations- Oldest, Newest, Longest existing, Shortest existing and maybe Largest and Smallest (only of coinage issuing micronations. Clinker
