Unusual Coinage Thread. Please post your unusual coinage

One of the most interesting aspects of coin collecting is the myriad types of unusual coinage that exists through history and countries. I am starting with this...not ancient but rather unusual and not widely known. Though the coin is mine, I'd rather copy a very good write up from another source for details on it's type

Malay States. Perak. Tin Tampang.

This is a tampang coin from Perak Sultanate as early as 16th century. This form of currency is called tin ingot. These ingots were casted of fixed weight and used for all major transactions in the bazaar as a form of currency.The value of each ingot depends upon its weight. By mid 1850's , ingots were gradually replaced by coinages. Obv : An ornamental design of four rosettes based on the tampok manggis Rev: Blank. 1 katti (1kg). Rarity : RRR Denom : 1 tampang Material : Tin Reference : SS38

edited - copyright

http://mrbacoincollection.blogspot.my/2014/11/tampang-perak_12.html?m=1"

 

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Interesting.. what is this?

 

Interesting coin @Loong Siew ! I don't think I have anything comparable though...maybe one of my modern tokens...but even then probably not.

Are you the author of the article? It was pretty interesting.

 

Thanks @Jwt708 .. I am not the author of the article but rather copied it with the source Url beneath.

 

Some other unusual coins which I posted previously...


Ceylon. Kandyan Kokku Ridhi. Silver Larin.



Persia. Safavids. Silver Larin.


Kingdom of Lanna (Laos). Silver tiger tongue Tamlung.


Japan. Tokugawa Shogunate. Akita 4 momne 6 pun

 

I could post an Olbia dolphin but instead I will go with something more recent.


I'm not sure if this is a coin or not. The seller described it as
"Rare tin primitive coin or pendant, 18th century, Perak Sultanate in Malaysia" and proposed it was cast 1527-1800 AD. It measures 26mmx40mm, 11.5 grams.

If you like this you should not skip the 'World' section of the current CNG e-auction. There is a turtle on the skill level of my example, plus some amazing monster birds.

 

Awesome examples, gang ... I love seeing cool and oddly shaped coinage!!

Ummm, how 'bout these AE cast winners?

They are among the oldest AE coins made ...

SICILY, Akragas Æ Cast Onkia (1 Onkia)
Circa 450-440 BC
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 4.62 grams
Obverse: Eagle's head left
Reverse: Crab claw left
Reference: CNS 8; SNG ANS 1020


SICILY, Selinos Cast Æ Onkia (1 Onkia)
Circa 450-440 BC
Diameter: 15 mm
Weight: 4.14 grams
Obverse: Kantharos; pellet (mark of value) above
Reverse: Selinon leaf
Reference: Price, Selinus, Group IIIC; CNS 10; Puglisi 282; HGC 2, 1237


Sicily, Akragas Cast AE Trias (4 Onkia)
circa 450 BC
Diameter: 14 x 19 x 20 mm
Weight: 16.28 grams
Desc: Eagle standing left & trident of crab’s claws on sides, four pellets on base
Reference: SNG ANS 1015-7; CNS 1


... pretty cool, eh?

 

China Zhou -Chou- 1000-200 BCE Dynasty Bronze cowrie - VF - Rare



China ANCIENT Cowrie - BONE 2 holes for clothing or funeral bier 20mm Hartill 1-2v Coole 51-66


Oscan-Latin Aes Formatum shell with Ribs obv-rev 4th C BCE

 

I almost forgot that I had these (Sorry @Ancientnoob !):


India Gandahara AR Bent Bar 11-3g 650-600 BCE RARE two dots - also have on BOTH sides VERY RARE


India - Shakya Janapada
AR 5-Shana
6th-5th Century BCE
25mm x 21mm, 7.05g
Obv: Central Pentagonal punch plus several banker's marks
Rev: Blank
Ref: Hirano Type I.8.29
Coinage from the Ghaghara Gandak River region.
RARE 19 known
Buddha coin, purported to be minted in the Shakya Janaprada during his lifetime, by his father when Guatama Siddhartha was a Prince prior to becoming The Buddha (563 BCE to 483 BCE)

 

Beautiful.. the design has an interesting element of Hindu imagery on it with the head akin to a possible Rakshasa. I saw a couple of very interesting tin animal coinage offered in the recent CNG e auctions as you mentioned. I recommend the book by Saran Singh as a good reference but they are all pretty interesting and rare.

 

Wow.. these are pretty cool !! I've never seen them before and they looked like bullets to me at first glance.

 

Very Nice!! Given their shape I wouldn't even expect them to be coins if not explained. Especially the Formatum which looked to me like a brooch...

 

Beautiful specimens @Alegandron ... a very classic appeal to them.. even more with the historical significance and association of the Shakya coin with someone like the Buddha

 

I believe it was you who helped me with Ancientnoob to find the AR 5-Shana, thank you!

 

I have a few oddly-shaped coins.

Cowries and their imitations:


Spade Coins:


Knife coins:

 

Skythian spearpoints ca. 600-700 BC sort of a pre-coinage trade item:

 

Olbian delfin, dolphin ca. 650-700 BC, probably started out as offertory amulets and evolved into a trade item as a precursor to coinage.

 

One of my "newer" forms of money is from 19th century Katanga, these were cast and then used as money into the early 20th century: