Coins of City States and Principalities

Issues of several smaller entities are examined here. We will discuss the issues "coins" of the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Jersey, and Guernsey of the United Kingdom affiliated entities. We will also discuss the "coins" Principality of Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco, Hut River Providence of Australia, and Singapore.

Many smaller nations are involved with issuing collectible "coins." There is a market, especially with silver and gold trading high. Collectors can buy a nice coin, and there is a real possibility its metal content alone will one day greatly enhance its value. Unfortunately, not every small nation has the authority to issue coins.

Many smaller governments, in need of coinage, turn to major mints to fill their requirements. Some issue legitimate coins. Others, while their issues have a denomination, issue what is technically a round.

If the government is small, there are few coins needed for circulation, which makes many everyday coins rare.

The Singapore Mint issues the current coins for Singapore. Many are quite attractive. In particular, the landform ridge issues including the 2008 issues of Kent Ridge Park, Labrador, Mount Faber, and Telok Blandah. Another quite attractive series or the orchid coins which include some very nice five ounce issues.

Singapore's Mint not only mints for Singapore, but for other nations.

The Bailiwick of Jersey coins are the equivalent of a British Pound, but do not freely circulate throughout the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man, Gibraltar, and Guernsey issue pound which have the same standing when circulating throughout the United Kingdom as the banknotes of Scotland. All of these entities have issued highly collectible coins, with the Isle of Man and the Gibraltar issuing some fantastic gold and silver coins, especially the cat coins. In fact, Gibraltar has issued the short, highly collectible dog series and the cherubs.

Andorra is a small principality in Europe, and has joined the European Union. Before joining the European Union, Andorra had its own currency, and coins from that era are technically coins.
Today, Andorra still issues ten diners "coins" that are attractive, collectible silver coins. The Mint of Poland, Mennica, mints them and markets them for Andorra. Since the Principality of Andorra's diner denominations are obsolete, current minting of diners produces what is technically a round. Here is the strange situation of a round bearing a denomination and having been minted by a legitimate government, yet cannot be used in trade.

The Hut River Province of Australia declared its independence years ago, and began issuing its own coinage. When it exchanged its coins for Australian dollars freely many of its coins were collected. One of the first entities to capitalize on coins made in abundance for international collectors, Hut River minted coins that had images of many topics that were of interest to collectors abroad. Movie stars and Dessert Storm issues were abundant. A ruling by an American court that Hut River had no authority to issue coins made these not recognized as real coins. So, while these issues have denominations, they are technically considered rounds.

Vatican City is an independent government, and as such issues coins. Most have the effigy of the Pope who is alive at the time of issue. Some have religious themes. These coins are highly collected.

Past issues had denomination that matched the denominations of Italy, such as the lire, but current issues are in Euros.

While Monaco is indeed a small country, and does issue coins, finding a collectible issues is difficult. The best bet is the silver coin that bears the image of Grace Kelly that is enhanced with gold.