Moneta's Temple and Gallery

New Guinea - Shilling 1935

Moneta — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 11:22:00 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Crown over crossed sceptres, lettering around. Lettering: GEORGIUS V.D G· ·REX ET IND·IMP· Translation: George V by the grace of god King and Emperor of India. Engraver: George Kruger Gray Reverse Pattern around hole with lettering around. Lettering: TERRITORY OF NEW GUINEA ·ONE SHILLING·1935· Royal Mint, Melbourne, Australia (1872-1969)

Australia - Half Penny 1926

Moneta — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 12:47:39 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: (Translation: George V by the Grace of God, King of all the British territories, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India

Papua New Guinea - 10 Kina 1975 Bird of Paradise

Moneta — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 12:24:33 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea: a bird-of-paradise over a traditional spear and a kundu drum. Rx: Flying Bird of Paradise, 5 stars of the Southern Cross constellation. Photo thru sealed mint plastic.

British North Borneo - 1 Cent 1890

Moneta — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 18:18:31 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: British Protectorate now known as Sabah. I used to have an 1891 H in a beautiful Unc condition, mistakenly sold it so I had to make amends.

Palau - The 1st Colorized coin

Moneta — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 13:15:54 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: No matter what you may think of "colorized" coins from a traditionalists point of view, NCLT, colorized, and a host of other novelty coins are now part of the collectors scene. Personally, I wouldn't collect them but this coin of Palau is noteworthy because it is the first colorized coin to hit the market (1992), and the Mermaid stands out too. Let me know if you need larger version to print out and put on your dart board! 50,000 were minted, only in proof, and they are a one year type. Note: This coin is acknowledged as the 1st colorized coin. Naturally this is recognized as a NCLT (Non-Circulating Legal Tender). However, Korea issued "cloisonne" coins with colored glass melted on the surface that were designed to be used but were quickly removed from circulation due to the increasing value of silver, the conquest by the Japanese, and their interesting design related to Korea entering the modern world of international trade. All denominations (3) and colors (3), can be seen here in the Moneta Museum (World, Asia, Korea). /showgallery.php?cat=561&page=3 Here's an article on new minting technologies from the Cosmos of Collectibles: https://cosmosofcollectibles.com/state-of-the-art-minting-technology/

Fiji N.D. 1 Dollar.

BCNumismatics — Fri, 02 May 2014 23:54:35 -0700

by: BCNumismatics

Description: Fiji N.D. 1 Dollar.

Hawaii Half Dollar 1883

Moneta — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 18:44:02 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Hawaii Half Dollar (Hapalua) 1883. While Hawaii was independent at this time, it still was under the heavy influence of the U.S.A. and the plantation interests. This series, struck in silver in 1883 under King Kalakaua I, is listed in US coin books. Hawaii became a dependency of the USA in 1900 and a state in 1959. Nearly 700k were struck but most were melted upon becoming a US Territory. Net mintage after melting: 87,755. Twenty-six re-strike proofs exist. This nice example is a tad better than XF 45 and therefore an AU 50.

EIC Sumatra 1 Keping - 1786

Moneta — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 10:27:52 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Sumatra, English United East India Company; 1 Keping, 1786. OB: VEIC balemark and date; Rx: Jawi legend. KM does not do a very good job of attributing these historic pieces, particularly in the proper documentation of the varieties you may encounter. This example has the oblique milled edge and a traditional rosette separating the obverse date. See my other example, and the gilt piece, that uses a different rosette on 1787 versions. KM does not show a 1786 strike and I can say, from anecdotal evidence, the 1786 issues are much harder to obtain than the 1787's. This coin is representative of the very first copper issues of the famous coiner Matthew Boulton. This is a business strike as opposed to the proof issues often stuck again later as examples of his companys' work. Famous for his 18th Centry Conder token products for various [copper mining] concerns and later, the Royal Mint, M. Boulton began his career as a minter with this issue for East India Company at Bencoolen on the island of Sumatra. A degree of industrialization was used to manufacture these pieces. Mr. Boulton operated a water-powered rolling mill and blanking machine at Soho [Birmingham] England. While his technique was pre-industrial it did add to the technology then in practice. Boulton was innovative in coin edge technology with this coin offering a security edge in an oblique milled edge pattern that prevented undetected clipping and filing. Seaby sale Apr. 1972. Rosette type between 1786. I have not seen enough of these to know if all 1786 issues featured the rosette while all 1787's may show the elongated medallion (see my example). Any information on this would be welcome!

EIC Sumatra 3 K - 1786

Moneta — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 10:02:20 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Sumatra, United East India Company; 3 Kepings, 1786. OB: VEIC balemark and date; Rx: Jawi legend. There is also an ink acquisition number [9306]. KM does not do a very good job of attributing these historic pieces, particularly in the proper documentation of the varieties you may encounter. This example has the oblique milled edge and a traditional rosette separating the obverse date. See my other example, and the gilt piece, that uses a different rosette on 1787 versions. KM does not show a 1786 strike and I can say, from anecdotal evidence, the 1786 issues are much harder to obtain than the 1787's. This coin is representative of the very first copper issues of the famous coiner Matthew Boulton. This is a business strike as opposed to the proof issues often stuck again later as examples of his companys' work. Famous for his 18th Centry Conder token products for various [copper mining] concerns and later, the Royal Mint, M. Boulton began his career as a minter with this issue for East India Company at Bencoolen on the island of Sumatra. A degree of industrialization was used to manufacture these pieces. Mr. Boulton operated a water-powered rolling mill and blanking machine at Soho [Birmingham] England. While his technique was pre-industrial it did add to the technology then in practice. Boulton was innovative in coin edge technology with this coin offering a security edge in an oblique milled edge pattern that prevented undetected clipping and filing. The actual coining took place in London on hand operated presses supplied by the E.I.C. This first order began production in late October 1786 but was not delivered until May 1787. He received a second contract and those were dated 1787. These issues consisted of 1, 2, & 3 Kepings of 3.24, 6.48, and 9.72 grams of copper respectively. The largest issue was the 3 Keping of the 18 tons of copper struck for 1786. The second issue of 30 tons was heavy on the smaller coins with an estimate of only 526,400 of the 3 Keping being struck for the 1786 contract, the lowest of the 3 denominations over the two dates. Search for other references to Boulton and Soho in this Museum for a history of coinage bringing essential progess to the Industrial Revolution. This coin represents the very beginning of the Revolution which has brought us vast improvements in living standards throughout 19th and 20th Centuries. From a Seaby sale of 27 Apr. 1979. This type of obverse rosette is called "large". For a brief history of Bencoolen and Fort Marlborough visit: http://wftw.nl/bencoolen/bencoolen.html

Fiji Shilling 1942

Moneta — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:56:42 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: WWII issue where the silver content went up along with the mintage (500k). George VI portrait.

1 comment

French Southern & Antarctic Territories

Moneta — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:40:41 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: French Southern & Antarctic Territories, a fantasy issue as far as I know. It is listed in KM Unusual World Coins X#E11 - 1/4 Euro Essai. OB: Bust of Louis Oscar Roty (coin engraver and designer of "Semeuse" the famous walking Liberty figure that is spreading seed. OB Leg: "TERRES AUSTRALES et /ANTARCTIQUES/. REV: "Semeuse" #medal, 1898#.

1 comment

New Zealand Token

Moneta — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:07:52 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: The first coin I posted from New Zealand just had to be this gorgeous Tradesmen's Token of Milner & Thompson. The depictions of Maori tribesmen is just spectacular! In all probability this portrait is of Māori rangatira (chief) Tamati Waka Nene of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe) (1785 - 1871 CE). The company was in Christchurch and issued a number of designs, this one being the best. Other tokens state they were "Sole Agents for Brinsmead Pianos" (anyone see the movie "The Piano"). These tokens were manufactured during a shortage of official coinage from 1857 to 1881. This company must have broken the practice because their tokens seem to have all been struck in 1881. Some additional information: Copper One Penny Token, minted by Stokes & Martin, Melbourne. Issued by Milner & Thompson, Canterbury Music Depot, Christchurch, 1881. Milner & Thompson's Music store, the Canterbury Music Depot, was opened in 1874 by Robert Thompson, some time soon afterwards he took John Milner into partnership and they worked together for 21 years. When Milner retired Thompson continued in the business until he passed it to his sons in 1907. The business was bought by Charles Begg and Co. in 1920, and was still a going concern in 1950. Milner & Thompson were the last issuers of tokens in New Zealand. Obverse: Maori warrior, or probably a chief, standing on an island in front of a palm tree. He holds a large square shield on the ground with his right hand and a weapon in his left. The shield is quartered with plants in each sector, a kiwi emerges walking left from behind the shield. In the sea behind the prow of a war canoe can be seen to the left of the kiwi and a mountainous island is seen in the background. Around, NEW ZEALAND Reverse: Bust a Maori warrior facing three-quarters right with tattooed face, wearing a feather headdress and holding a spear in his right hand and shield; around, ADVANCE NEW ZEALAND. The Polynesians had no form of written language so tattooing was used to express individuality, genealogy, life history, achievements, social status and rank. Ta moko is the Maori customary form of a tattooing tradition that extends back thousands of years, and it is still an extremely visible component of contemporary New Zealand culture. Ta moko is related to the tatu of Eastern Polynesia and the tatau of Samoa (settled around 200 CE). Both words mean “to mark”. Maori used a number of traditional designs and many of them are still in use today. The most recognisable is perhaps the koru (or loop) design, along with the hei tiki (or tiki). The koru represents the spiral shape of an unfurling New Zealand fern frond and stands for new life, renewal and hope for the future as exemplified in this Maori proverb: "Ka hinga atu he tete-kura - ka hara-mai he tete-kura" (As one fern frond dies - one is born to take its place.) Each koru in a tattoo signifies a loved one and loving relationships. The tail design of Air New Zealand aircraft displays the koru and you can see the koru in the facial moko below. [JM: Also in this fascinating token of New Zealand.] See a painting of a Maori man with koru tatoo at this: https://www.ancient.eu/image/10738/maori-rangatira---tamati-waka-nene/ [excerpt from "Ancient History Encyclopedia", article by Kim Martins]

New South Wales 1977 1 Dollar Postal Order.

BCNumismatics — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:02:01 -0800

by: BCNumismatics

Description: New South Wales Postal Order. Issued by the Money Order Counter in the G.P.O.,Sydney (New South Wales) on the 12th. of May 1977. The 'N' prefix in the serial number is the code letter indicating that this $1 postal order is a New South Wales issue.

Sumatra 3 Keping Proof

Moneta — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:27:12 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: This proof specimen of a 1787 3 Keping of the East India Company in Sumatra was a sell-off of holdings by the Minting Authority of Indonesia. The auction was conducted in early 2008 (?) by Mavins Auctions of the UK. This lot brought over $1,500 excluding fees. It is known that Matthew Boulton preserved dies and would re-strike coins for various purposes. Please see the business strike example for a more complete story of this important monetarily historic coin: /showphoto.php?photo=594&cat=614

2 comments

Sumatra 3 Keping 1787

Moneta — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:51:40 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Sumatra, English United East India Company; 3 Kepings, 1787. OB: VEIC balemark and date; Rx: Jawi legend. This coin is representative of the first copper issues of the famous coiner Matthew Boulton. This is a business strike as opposed to the proof issues often stuck again later as examples of his companys' work. Famous for his Industrial Revolution products for various copper mining concerns and later the Royal Mint, M. Boulton began his career as a minter with this issue for East India Company at Bencoolen on the island of Sumatra. A degree of industrialization was used to manufacture these pieces. Mr. Boulton operated a water-powered rolling mill and blanking machine at Soho England. While his technique was pre-industrial it did add to the technology then in practice. Boulton was innovative in coin edge technology with this coin offering a security edge in an oblique milled edge pattern that prevented undetected clipping and filing. The actual coining took place in London on hand operated presses supplied by the E.I.C. This first order began production in late October 1786 but was not delivered until May 1787. He recieved a second contract and those were dated 1787. These issues consisted of 1, 2, & 3 Kepings of 3.24, 6.48, and 9.72 grams of copper respectively. The largest issue was the 3 Keping of the 18 tons of copper struck for 1786. The second issue of 30 tons was heavy on the smaller coins with an estimate of only 526,400 of the 3 Keping being struck for the 1787 contract, the lowest of the 3 denominations over the two dates. Search for other references to Boulton and Soho in this Museum for a history of coinage bringing essential progesss to the Industrial Revolution. This coin represents the very beginning of the Revolution which has brought us vast improvements in living standards throughout 19th and 20th Centuries.

4 comments