Returning for more sun today, behind door number 13 was a 10 cents coin from the Bahamas.
Featuring the coat of arms of the country on the obverse, on the reverse there is the value of the coin followed by a small scene featuring several bonefish.
Bonefish have nine different distinct species, with six inhabiting the Pacific and three in the Atlantic. The bonefish on the coin is of the Albula Vulpes species which is the largest and most widespread of the Atlantic species.
Bonefish tend to live inshore in tropical climes, mainly in shallow waters and mudflats. This has caused them to become one of the prime fly and tackle game fish. A popular sport has developed in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Southern Florida called bonefishing. Despite it’s popularity, many just do it for the sport, and many of the caught bonefish are released back into the sea, although there are some recipes which use bonefish as a main ingredient.
Half way through the calendar and we are arriving back in Asia, fully rounding out the number of coins from each continent (except Antartica) to two each. This time we are heading to Macao.
Dating from 2007 and made out of brass, on the obverse of the coin is the name of the territory in Portuguese with the date below it. The Portuguese name is surrounded by Chinese characters which spell out Macao in Chinese. The design of the Chinese characters are positioned in such a way that they also symbolise “shou” or longevity in Chinese. Finally, at the top, is a bat with it’s wings stretched out in flight. In Chinese customs bats are the harbingers of 5 blessings: Life, Wealth, Health, Love of virtue, and death after achieving one’s destiny.
On the reverse of the coin is a depiction of a lion headdress often used in the traditional lion dance throughout China. The lion dance is often performed at Chinese New Year as well as other important Chinese festivals and celebrations. The lion dance is distinguishable from the well known dragon dance due to the fact it is operated by just two dancers compared to teams of people holding poles representing the snaking body of the dragon.
We head much further south today after our showing in Malta yesterday. Today’s coin comes from the sunny country of Rwanda.
Today’s coin is a 5 atanu coin, also known as a 5 Rwandan Franc. On the obverse of the coin is the national coat of arms of Rwanda, whilst on the reverse is a depiction of a coffee plant with coffee beans.
The coffee bean itself is an important part of the Rwandan economy. This landlocked country has few natural resources, so 90% of the country’s working adult population work in the agriculture industry due to Rwanda’s fertile soil. Apart from crops grown for local consumption, Rwanda grows tea and coffee mainly for export.
Coffee was first introduced and grown in Rwanda during the 1930’s when it was a Belgian colony. Belgium imposed the planting of coffee trees on the natives of Rwanda, which became a yoke for the country for much of the 20th century. Partly due to the main source of income for the country being so reliant on and vulnerable to the shift in prices of the commodity. However, due to outward investment in the production of coffee, quality of beans produced in Rwanda has increased exponentially causing it to become one of the more sought after coffees in the world.
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.
Numismatic Exploits 