During WWII the Japanese had occupied an portion of China, essentially Manchuria but called Manchukuo (or Manchoukuo). As the war continued, it put a strain metals of military and economic significance (copper, nickel and silver in particular). Because of that n some places coins were being struck on less strategic materials. Zinc was the most prominent of those although iron and steel were used. In 1944 and 1945 in the Japanese occupied area of China (Manchuria) coins were struck on what the Krause catalog calls "red fiber". It was actually magnesite. "Magnesite is a mineral with the chemical formula MgCO3 (magnesium carbonate). Iron, manganese, cobalt and nickel may occur as admixtures, but only in small amounts." Here's an example: I'm sure through history other materials have been used. Ceramic comes to mind from somewhere. Add to this post, particularly with pictures.
Neat.. I've heard of other materials other than metal being used. It's a interesting topic. Thanks for sharing!
The "red fiber" you picture... is it actually fibrous? Or is it more of a ceramic type material? "Odd" materials I know that coins have been struck on: Iron (sweden) Ivory Plastic (Keeling-Cocos) Lead (antimony) - used by southeast asian countries in the early 20th century Some of the coolest "weird metal" coins are the patterns struck by Russia in Platinum in the early 1800's. At the time, Platinum was an extremely exotic material and incredibly costly to refine.
Don't know, but the coin has enough value that I'm not going to fuss with it. "Fiber" is what Krause has it labeled as. I know about the use of Iron. Turns out I've got some from Bulgaria in my birth year set. I'll post them.
