Difference between revisions of "$1 Westarctican Dollar Coin"

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The [[Thurston Island]] coin was minted in two denominations, a silver coin valued at $5 and a bronze coin valued at $1. Both coins are otherwise identical.
The [[Thurston Island]] coin was minted in two denominations, a silver coin valued at $5 and a bronze coin valued at $1. Both coins are otherwise identical.


On the face of the coin is the [[humpback whale]], a symbol that was selected by the [[Princess of Thurston]] in consultation with her mother, [[Lovette Mott]]. They also requested that the coat of arms on the obverse be changed from the arms of Westarctica to the arms of the Princess. This request was politely denied by the [[Duke of Sherman]], the designer of the coins and [[Minister of the Treasury]].
On the face of the coin is the [[humpback whale]], a symbol that was selected by the [[Princess of Thurston]] in consultation with her mother, [[Lady Thurston]]. They also requested that the coat of arms on the obverse be changed from the arms of Westarctica to the arms of the Princess. This request was politely denied by the [[Duke of Sherman]], the designer of the coins and [[Minister of the Treasury]].
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+$1 Thurston Island
|+$1 Thurston Island

Latest revision as of 05:45, 13 January 2020

The $1 Westarctican Dollar Coin was the first denomination of coin created for Westarctica by the Central Bank of Westarctica in 2005. Since then, it has remained a popular denomination and six coins have been minted in the $1 value.

2005 Balleny Islands

$1 coin of the Balleny Islands (obverse and reverse)

The Balleny Islands coins were the first coins minted by the Central Bank, they were released in early 2005, shortly after the creation of the bank itself. The obverse of the coin shows Westarctica's original coat of arms as designed by Jon-Lawrence Langer. On the reverse is a map of the Balleny Islands showing the islands Young, Buckle, and Sturge. It was released in two different metals (bronze and silver), but otherwise, the two coins of the series are identical.

$1 Balleny Islands
Year 2005
Material Bronze
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 150
Diameter (mm) 25.4

2005 Wooden Commemoratives

Collage of the wooden coin series

Westarctica's second set of coins, also minted in 2005, is the only wooden set of coins produced by the Central Bank. Two of the coins commemorate significant events in Westarctica's history, while the third coin celebrates the emperor penguin, Westarctica's national animal. Each coin is $1 denomination and all have smooth edges.

The two historical coins commemorate the 30 June 2004 creation of the Grand Ducal Mandate, which served as Westarctica's constitution from 2004 - 2010, and the 75th Anniversary of Admiral Richard Byrd's pioneering expedition into Westarctica's interior.

They were not terribly popular with collectors, and are generally sold at the low price range for Westarctican coins.

$1 Wooden Commemoratives
Year 2005
Material Wood
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 200 of each design
Diameter (mm) 38

2005 Peter I Island

Peter I Island $1 coin

The Peter I Island coin was minted in two denominations, a silver coin valued at $5 and a bronze coin valued at $1. Both coins are otherwise identical.

On the face of the coin is the emperor penguin standing on a cutout figure of Peter I Island. This symbol would quickly be elevated to one of the National Symbols of Westarctica in the form of the Grand Duke's Seal. It has also been featured on Westarctica's stamps.

Original design sketch for the Peter I Island coin as designed by J.F. Vidal, the Duke of Sherman
$1 Peter I Island
Year 2006
Material Bronze
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 300
Diameter (mm) 38.4

2006 Thurston Island

Thurston Island $1 coin

The Thurston Island coin was minted in two denominations, a silver coin valued at $5 and a bronze coin valued at $1. Both coins are otherwise identical.

On the face of the coin is the humpback whale, a symbol that was selected by the Princess of Thurston in consultation with her mother, Lady Thurston. They also requested that the coat of arms on the obverse be changed from the arms of Westarctica to the arms of the Princess. This request was politely denied by the Duke of Sherman, the designer of the coins and Minister of the Treasury.

$1 Thurston Island
Year 2006
Material Bronze
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 250
Diameter (mm) 38.4

2006 Sherman Island

Sherman Island gold plated coin

The Sherman Island coin was minted in two different metals, a copper-nickel with gold plating and a copper-nickel with silver plating.

On the face of the coin is the Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who was the first person to reach the South Pole. The obverse of the coin features the greater coat of arms of Westarctica including the crest, as opposed to just the arms, which previous coins had used.

$1 Sherman Island
Year 2006
Material Copper-nickel silver plating
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 200
Diameter (mm) 39
$1 Sherman Island
Year 2006
Material Copper-nickel gold plating
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 10
Diameter (mm) 39

2008 Westarctica Islands

The $1 Westarctica Islands series is especially unique due to its rectangular shape and the fact that the coin itself is actually comprised of four separate triangular coins, each in a denomination of 25¢. The coins feature the islands of Grant, Siple, Pine and Burke and can be fitted together to make a single $1 coin.

It remains the only coin created in denominations of less than one Westarctican dollar and one of the few non-circular coins in the world. The series was minted in 2008.

Westarctica's $1 coin series (obverse and reverse)
$1 Westarctica Islands
Year 2008
Material Copper
Denomination 1 Westarctican Dollar
Mintage 200
Diameter (mm) 35x35

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