Another trip to Europe on the 10th day of the calendar. This time we travel to the small sunny Mediterranean island of Malta.
There is not much to say about the coin today. On the obverse there is a stylised coat of arms design of Malta’s flag, whilst on the reverse there is a depiction of a weasel just below the coins value.
Malta originally used the pre-decimal pound sterling from 1825 until 1972 when it was replaced by the Maltese Lira. The first run of the Lira showed many designs indicative of Maltese life and culture, with the 25 cent coin of 1975 being designed to commemorate Malta becoming a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1986 a new design run was issued depicting many flora and fauna native to Malta, and would continue to be minted until 2007, when eventually in January 2008 they were withdrawn from circulation as Malta had joined the Euro. They were finally demonetised in 2010.
Behind door 9 we have an aluminium coin from 1965, Uruguay.
On the reverse we have the value of the coin surrounded by a laurel wreath, whilst on the obverse we have the full name of Uruguay surrounded a profile etch of Jose Artigas.
Artigas is a national hero of Uruguay, sometimes called “the father of Uruguayan nationhood.” In his early life he fought successfully against the British in Buenos Aires, and later unsuccessfully in Montevideo. Escaping capture, he raised an army of gauchos and conducted a successful guerrilla campaign against the British. After the British capitulation after the second failed attempt to capture Buenos Aires, Artigas was promoted to captain in 1809.
During the outbreak of the Peninsula War, the Spanish-American wars erupted across South America. During this period, what is now Uruguay was part of the territory belonging to Argentina, and many natives grew resentful of this. Artigas used this resentment to create popular support, and would fight against control of Argentina.
In 1814, Artigas created the League of the Free Peoples of which he was declared protector. The following year he would liberate Montevideo from Argentinian control. Shortly after he would attend the Congress of Oriente and declare independence for the regions which would make up Uruguay, calling themselves the Federal League.
Portugal and Buenos Aires however feared the influence of the League, and in 1816 both countries would declare war and invade. Artigas would be captured, along with Montevideo, in 1817, but League forces would continue to resist for a further 3 years out in the countryside. Losing the war, Artigas would spend the rest of his life in exile in Paraguay until his death in 1850. His remains were repatriated in 1977 and interred in a mausoleum in the central plaza in Montevideo.
Uruguay would eventually gain it’s independence in 1828 under the Treaty of Montevideo. It would gain it’s first constitution a few years later in 1830.
Day 8 and we return to the Pacific today, this time to the Solomon Islands. Plus another visit by Lizzie herself.
A small 1 cent coin from the Solomon islands, roughly 17.5mm in diameter and made from bronze coated steel. On the obverse we yet again find a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, and on the reverse we fin the value of the coin along with a ceremonial food bowl.
The one cent coin was first introduced to the Solomon islands in 1977 after the country left the Australian dollar shortly after gaining independence. However, by 2008, due to the high rate of inflation both the one and two cent coins have been removed from general circulation and prices in the country are now rounded to the nearest 5.
The food bowl found on the reverse of the coin is an important ritual object used in the initiation ceremonies of the bonito fish society. A high ranking group of men and boys within the community. The bowls were often filled with food and offered up to the spirits as part of the initiation. The bowl itself is carved into the shape of the frigate bird which is native to the islands, and is valued for some of it’s characteristics. Characteristics such as it’s agility and speed, as well as it’s fierce and aggressive hunting skills.
The smallest coin so far from the calendar today. The tiny coin hails from the southern African country of Mozambique.
This one centavo coin features the main logo of the central bank of Mozambique on the obverse, whilst on the reverse is a engraving of a rhinoceros standing between the value of the coin.
Gaining it’s independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique would finally replace the Portuguese escudo in 1980 with their own currency, the metical. Mozambique would continue to use the metical until the early 2000’s when severe inflation would hit the currency. When the Romanian leu was re-evaluated on the 1st July 2005, the metical would become the least valued currency in the world. However, it would not last long, as a month later Zimbabwean dollar would far outstrip it by late August that year.
In 2006, Mozambique forced itself to re-evaluate it’s currency, and the new redenominated coins were issued from July that year.
We are officially a quarter the way through our calendar run, and today we make a trip to Europe. Queen Lizzie, yet again, makes an appearance as today we got a 5p coin from Gibraltar.
Featuring Queen Elizabeth on the obverse with the date below, the reverse has the coins value displayed below a representation of the Da de Noche flower, also known as the Night Blooming Jessamine.
The flower is native to the West Indies, but has become naturalised in other parts of the world. Mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It releases a sweet perfume like aroma at night, which is very good at attracting moths and bats to the flower. In some countries it is seen as an invasive species and classed as a weed, New Zealand being the forefront of this thought.
We are still in the New World for today’s coin, but this time we head to South America. Behind today’s door was a 2 pence piece from the Falkland Islands.
Featuring Queen Elizabeth on the obverse (the second time so far, I wonder how many times she will feature in this calendar), the reverse has the more interesting subject.
On the reverse is a depiction of the Upland goose, also known as the Magellan goose, a bird indigenous to the Falkland islands. A member of the same family branch as other ducks, geese, and swans. Native to the Falklands, they have also been introduced to both Argentina and South Georgia islands. They feed primarily on seeds, leaves, and stems of plants they are often seen as pests by local ranchers as they eat on pastures often used for cattle and sheep.
Another trip to the New World behind door number 4 today. Also another central American country to boot. This time from the calendar I received a 1 centesimo coin from Panama.
On the obverse is a very lacklustre design showing the value of the coin and the country of origin. Whilst the reverse displays a profile of Urraca who was a tribal chieftain in the region of what is now modern day Panama.
Urraca gained his fame in Panama by bravely resisting the expansion of the Spanish conquistadors in central America. After capturing the region where Urraca’s village was, he led stiff resistance against the Spanish. Successfully uniting various tribes in the area who were once enemies, he created a united from against Spanish expansionism.
He was successful to a point, that the Spanish were forced to trick Urraca in a feigned meeting to sue for peace. Captured, he was sent to the town of Nombre de Dios to be sent to Spain via ship. However, Urraca was able to escape and return to his tribe to continue the resistance. This would continue for several more years until his death in battle in 1531.
It is the third day of our advent countdown and the coin behind the door today was a centavo coin from the Asian nation of Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste (formerly known as East Timor) is a relatively new country in the world gaining it’s independence in 2002 from Indonesia and becoming the worlds first sovereign state of the 21st century. Originally colonised by Portugal in the 16th century it was known as Portuguese Timor until it declared it’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Nine days after this declaration, Indonesian troops invaded the territory and declared it to be the new 27th province of Indonesia. The next 20 years would be characterised by violence between those who wanted independence and the Indonesian government, until through work conducted by the UN sponsored act of self-determination the situation was de-escalated in 1999.
On the obverse of the coin itself is an image of a nautilus. A marine creature often indigenous to the Indo-Pacific seas which Timor-Leste finds itself in. On the Reverse, below the value of the coin, is a representation of a Kaibuk. A Kaibuk is a type of head dress native to those who are indigenous to the islands of Timor and traditionally made from solid silver. It shape is to represent the horns of the water buffalo, an animal important to the daily lives of those who live on the islands. The buffalo horns is often used as a symbol by the people of Timor-Leste as they represent strength, security, and protection.
Finally, around the edge of the reverse is a pattern bordering the coins value and the Kaibuk. This pattern is called Tais and is a traditional design used in weavings throughout the Timor islands, and is seen as an essential part of the peoples cultural heritage. It is used from ceremonial garments, signs of respect, and appreciation towards guests, family, and friends. The Catholic Church within Timor-Leste has adopted the use of the pattern within religious ceremonies on the islands, as Timor-Leste is one of only two Christian majority countries in Asia. The other being the Philippines.
Behind door number 2 today was a small coin from the central American country of Belize.
A 1 cent coin dating from 2010, it is the lowest denomination coin that Belize circulates. Struck in aluminium, it features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse, and the denomination on the reverse. There was a small presentation set which was struck by the Franklin mint in the US which replaces the bust of Elizabeth with the coat of arms of Belize. These coins however never entered circulation and were primarily made for the US collector market.
Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize would change it’s name and gain independence in 1981. Many of it’s coins are still struck by the Royal Mint and still retain the shape and design on it’s coins which were present when it was known as British Honduras.
So I am sure for everybody reading this post can agree, 2020 has been a difficult year for many. To lighten the mood as to what will be the final month of this year and as a personal treat for myself I decided to purchase an advent calendar. A coin company which goes by the name of the London Mint Office (https://www.londonmintoffice.org/) releases a coin calendar each year and this year I decided to take the bait and buy one.
Each day of the calendar you receive a different coin sourced from all over the world. Now personally I don’t expect any of the coins to hold any magnificent value. I think it is just the novelty of it you pay for. So for the next 24 days, leading up to Christmas, I will share which coins I will get from the calendar.
Since it is also the 1st today, I guess I better get started!
The first coin out of the calendar is a 10 sene coin from the small Pacific island country of Samoa. Dating from 2011 it is a single issue coin which was part of a five coin set to celebrate the history and culture of Samoa. On the 10 sene coin there is a representation of the Fautasi boat race which takes place every June as part of Samoa’s independence day celebrations. Fautasi (meaning “to build as one”) boat racing acts as a cultural connection between American Samoa and the other Samoan islands, and the boat design itself can trace it’s origins back to 1895. Although since it’s original inception, it’s functions from warboats and passenger vessels have slowly disappeared over the years due to government regulations and the adoption of motorised vessels.
Each Fautasi boat are around 30 metres in length and are traditionally carved from the whole trunks of trees. Each boat has a captain, and a coxswain beats a tempo with a drum in order to keep the rowers in sync. Typically each boat would have around 50 crew.
Numismatic Exploits 