Lundy coins.

I have got a pair of these famous coins that were struck in 1929 for Martin Coles Harman.Has anyone had the 1965's?

 

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Yes, and still have (both the copper and brass varieties). I don't have the gold ones though.

 

I only have the 1929 "Half Puffin". It took me a while to find out it wasn't a "real" country.

 

AuldFartte,Lundy is actually a real place.It is an island that is part of the County of Devonshire,which is in England.Martin Coles Harman issued these coins to assert his declaration as the 'King of Lundy'.I have got a pair of the 1929's.The 1965's were issued to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Martin Coles Harman's purchase of Lundy.Martin Coles Harman died in 1954.His children were squabbling over the ownership until Lundy was sold to a British millionaire in 1969 for a price of 150,000 Pounds.He promptly gave the island to the British people.Both the 1929's & the 1965's are listed in one of the Coincraft catalogues.

 

Thanks for the information, Aidan.

I also understand that the coins were not ever legal tender because Harman never had government authority to make coins. He seems to have been rather eccentric. The coins are nice!!!

 

Were they ever legal tender? It probably depends on your point of view. What does it take to have "Government authority"?

Lundy was owned by Harmon and was not actually a part of Great Britain at the time. At least it was outside their territorial waters and did not pay taxes to Britain or Devonshire. Harmon set up his Kingdom and issued his coins that were only good on the island. He was then brought up on charges and tried in ANOTHER country under THEIR laws. (This would be like Canada taking a US company to court because the products they distibuted in the US weren't labeled in both english and french as required by Canadian law.) And they then proceeded to take over his country. So I guess you only have "governmental authority" if some OTHER government gives it to you. Then the question becomes "How many countries have to recognize you before you HAVE government authority?"

 

Martin Coles Harman is regarded as being the 1920's equivilant of Prince Roy of Sealand.They both owned property outside British territorial waters,but in Prince Roy's case,it was an old mothballed radar platform.

 

That then brings up the question are Sealand coins coins?