One of the most fascinating things about coin collecting is of course the design on the coin –but what about the shape of the coin itself?As minting technology continues to advance, coins are being struckin allkindsof exciting and innovative shapes.
So I’ve put together selection of11 unusually shaped collectable coins from around the world…
1. The WWI Brodie Helmet coin …
To commemorate the Armistice Centenary,The Royal Canadian Mint issued aremarkable new cointo honour each and every fallen soldier.
Struck in the shape of aWWI Brodie Helmet, it is more deeply curved surface than any other concave or convex-shaped coin I’ve seen before.The design is so unique in fact, that the Mint have kept the minting technique aclosely guarded secret.
2. The FIRST rugby coin of its kind…
To mark the Rugby World Cup in 2015, France issued thefirst evercoin shaped like a rugby ball.
The concave coins proved to beextremely popularwith collectors worldwide, with many keen to add a coin with such a unique pedigreeto their collections.
3. A coin shaped like a country…
The Perth Mintregularly issue map-shaped coins, taking advantage of their country’s unique and recognisable outline.
This series makes use ofpurpose-built tooling and die designto give the coin itsdistinctiveshape.
The first coin in the series featuredtheKookaburra and was issued in2012. Since then there have been a variety of different animals to feature on the coin, with the most recent being the Dingo.
4. The ‘Imperial Egg’…
This impressive looking coin boasts beautifulenamelled colourand a shimmeringgemstone inlay.
The ‘Imperial Egg’ Coin isbased on the work of Fabergé and proved to bevery popularwith collectors, especially during the Easter period.
5. You’ll belucky to find one of these…
You certainly won’t find thisFour-Leaf Clover Coinin a field, no matter how hard you look!Legend has it that Eve took a four-leaf-clover from paradise as a memento for the wonderful time she had spent there – they’ve been considered lucky ever since.
Struckingold to a proof finish, this cleverly produced coin could certainly be regarded as lucky by collectors who have one intheir collection – as it is now highly sought-after.
6. The Earth-shattering coin…
The extra-terrestrialchondrite that has been set into the centre of this coin was sourced from a meteorite that crash-landed inMorocco in 2005. The space rockshattered into several pieces when it enteredthe Earth’s atmosphere.
The coin itself has been struckin aconcave shapeto represent the crater in which the piece of meteorite landed.
7. Is it a coin or is it a bar? It’s both…
This rectangularsilver coin-bar features one of theworld’s most iconic landmarks – London’s Tower Bridge.
It’s not often that you see coins minted in this shape as the ‘bar’ format is usually reserved for bullion.
This stunning coin boasts anintricately detailed engravingand tiny details can be seen on the Tower Bridge to create windows, clock and brickwork.
8. The poppy-shaped remembrance coin…
This coin’sunique shapeandrich red printingon the reverse takes inspiration from thepoppy, which has become synonymous throughout the world as a symbol ofremembranceand the charitable work ofThe Royal British Legion.
Issued to commemorate the end of the First World War and toRemember the Fallen, the Poppy Coin is a significant issue that ispoignant to many.
9. Thecoin that sold out in two days…
This remarkablecoin is shaped likethe iconicCanadianmaple leaf, and provedso popular that itsold out at the Royal Canadian Mint in just2 days.
Canadian Maple Leaf coins are some of the world’smost recognised Silver coins. This issue takes the design to a whole new level and comes complete with a special wooden display case.
10.The coin that combines heaven and earth…
Issued in China since 221 BCE, the Chinese Lucky Cash Coin features asquare holeat its centre to represent Earth, while the circle symbolises heaven. This combination of heaven and earth make the coin asymbol of harmony and prosperity.
Chinese fortune-tellers would use cash coins, a tortoise shell, and their skill at numerology to tell the future. Because of their association with mystical prediction, these coins from China are thought to bringgood luck.
11. And last but not least…
The playful Russian‘Matryoshka Dolls’ first appeared in the late 19th century, now they’ve been immortalised ona silver coin.
This oval issueisdisplayed within special bespoke packagingwhich consists oftwo traditional wooden nestingdollsplaced one inside the other – the coin and packagingare both something that I’ve never come across before!
Are you lucky enough to have any of these coins in your collection, or perhaps you’ve seen another coin that you think should be on the list? Let me know in the comments below
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