There was a short-lived coin and currency unit that was the forerunner of the Euro. It was called the Ecu which stands for "European Currency Unit". Some believe it referred to the old french ecu. The concept was conceived in 1979 and lasted until 1999 when it was replaced by the Euro. Every participating country including Germany, France, Great Britain, and Italy rendered commercial banking transactions in Ecus throughout the world, but never issued Ecu coins and/or paper currency for use as business strikes within their own countries. As many foreign nations conducted business in the states of New York and Illinois, because of their laws, those two states recognized the Ecu as a legal monetary unit. The Netherlands created a mock-up of Ecu denominations in both coins and paper currency, but only allowed them to be used in The Hague. France coined ecus for coin collectors in uncirculated and proof in base, silver and gold. About half the issues bore double denominations on the reverse (French Francs and Euro equivalents). The little British colony of Gibraltar struck Ecu coins in uncirculated and proof versions from 1991 through 1996 for coin collectors. They were minted in Copper-nickel, silver and gold. Like France, Gibralter struck some uncirculation coins whose reverses bear two denominations. In the 2007 STANDARD CATALOG OF WORLD COINS 1901-2000 page 854 there is a listing of these coins: NOTE: The following uncirculated coins are not made of gold. Gold coins were struck only in proof. KM#293 1992. The denominations on the reverse read 2.8 Ecus and 2 POUNDS. Made of copper-nickel. KM#87 1993 and 1994. 14 Ecus and 10 POUNDS. Silver. KM#109 1992. 14 Ecus and 10 POUNDS. Silver. KM#89 1992A. 14 Ecus and 10 POUNDS. Silver. Matte finish. KM#88 1992. 35 Ecus and 25 POUNDS. Silver PS1. Click to see Europa Ecu: http://www.harlanjberk.com/worldcoins/details.asp?inventorynumber=40697&type=2&linenum=126&country=All+Countries&orderby=DateCreated+DESC&newsince=&inventorygroup=wd&file=/worldcoins/text.asp Clinker
Clinker,Ireland & Belgium also struck some official medal-coins denominated in ECU.Bosnia-Hercegovina also had some pieces denominated in ECU as well.The Isle of Wight also had a couple.I am not sure about the Isle of Man. As to the Gibraltarian pieces,these are dual-denominated in both Pounds & ECUs. The individual countries of the British Isles,including the U.K. itself also had some private pattern ECUs struck back in 1992. The name 'Euro' was actually decided upon in 1996,because there are some private pattern coins & tokens denominated in Euros as early as 1996. Aidan.
Aiden, my New Zealander friend... You're right, of course, and that's why I chose to introduce collectors to the Ecus via Gibraltar, and just a few of the others to keep the trivia at "trivia" space. Clinker
To Treashunt My thanks to you for reading and commenting...I trust the New Year is treating you alright. Clinker
Clinker,you are forgetting one thing - I am a specialist in British Commonwealth numismatics,but I don't know everything though. Like you,we are all still learning.Gibraltarian coins are very tough to find.I knew about those dual-denominated medal-coins,as I once sat there cataloguing coins at work by looking in Krause,& stumbled along the pictures of these pieces,which depicts trains.I was actually pricing a Gibraltarian 1967 Proof Crown struck in silver at that time. I am not trying to be picky,but I was trying to help you out.I admit to being a bit too frank for my own good sometimes. Aidan.
Steve,those are nice.I wish I had the British Isles private pattern ECUs,especially the ones from Ulster,Wales,& England. Aidan.
I think I have one Brit Ecu somewhere in my collection along with a example from Gib, will try to dig them out. De Orc
Steve,I'll start a discussion in the World & Ancient Coins section just for British Commonwealth pattern ECUs & Euros.You could post your photos there. Aidan.
