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The '''Coins of Westarctica''' are a collection of commemorative coins minted by the [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] on behalf of the [[Micronations|micronation]] of [[Westarctica]]. Starting in 2005, Westarctica minted 31 unique coins released in 14 different series, each commemorating a different element of Westarctican culture, history, or geography. The creation of coins by the Central Bank ceased in 2013; however, both [[Grand Duke Travis]] and the former [[Minister of the Treasury]], [[ | [[File:Coin-Collage-all.jpg|thumb|right|Collage of Westarctica's coins]] | ||
The '''Coins of Westarctica''' are a collection of commemorative coins minted by the [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] on behalf of the [[Micronations|micronation]] of [[Westarctica]]. Starting in 2005, Westarctica minted 31 unique coins released in 14 different series, each commemorating a different element of Westarctican culture, history, or geography. The creation of coins by the Central Bank ceased in 2013; however, both [[Grand Duke Travis]] and the former [[Minister of the Treasury]], [[Duke of Sherman|Jorge Fernandez-Vidal]], have expressed interest in resuming production of coins. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Marquis of Williamson2.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Jorge Fernandez Vidal, the | [[File:Marquis of Williamson2.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Jorge Fernandez Vidal, the Duke of Sherman]] | ||
The impetus to mint coins under the name of Westarctica began with [[ | The impetus to mint coins under the name of Westarctica began with [[Duke of Sherman|Jorge Fernández Vidal]], of A Coruña, a city in an autonomous region of northwestern Spain named Galicia. | ||
He learned about the [[Balleny Islands]] while researching unclaimed land in Antarctica. His intention was a find an area or region suitably outside the jurisdiction of other countries, that could be used as a basis for minting coins of his own design. Jorge settled on the Balleny Islands in March 2004, after closely examining the language used in the [[Antarctic Treaty]] and realizing that New Zealand's claim to the Balleny Islands could not be legally recognized by any nation, including their own. Therefore, it was highly unlikely New Zealand would ever mint coins for the islands on their own, and they were equally unlikely to assert any kind of legal jurisdiction if Jorge were to mint coins under the name of the Balleny Islands. In his own words, the islands were: “officially unclaimed. A beautiful free land to mint a coin.” | He learned about the [[Balleny Islands]] while researching unclaimed land in Antarctica. His intention was a find an area or region suitably outside the jurisdiction of other countries, that could be used as a basis for minting coins of his own design. Jorge settled on the Balleny Islands in March 2004, after closely examining the language used in the [[Antarctic Treaty]] and realizing that New Zealand's claim to the Balleny Islands could not be legally recognized by any nation, including their own. Therefore, it was highly unlikely New Zealand would ever mint coins for the islands on their own, and they were equally unlikely to assert any kind of legal jurisdiction if Jorge were to mint coins under the name of the Balleny Islands. In his own words, the islands were: “officially unclaimed. A beautiful free land to mint a coin.” | ||
===Central Bank of Westarctica=== | ===Central Bank of Westarctica=== | ||
In late 2004, Jorge stumbled upon the [[Westarctica | In late 2004, Jorge stumbled upon the [[Westarctica Domain Name|official Westarctica]] website. He was intrigued by the fledgling nation and applied for citizenship. As part of his citizenship request, he shared his ideas for minting coins with Grand Duke Travis who happened to be looking for someone to lead a numismatic project to create coins on behalf of Westarctica. Jorge was promptly appointed to the post of [[Minister of the Treasury]] and given full authority to mint coins bearing Westarctica's name and symbols. The [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] was created with Jorge as it's head officer. | ||
The initial arrangement between the Central Bank and the Grand Duke was that Jorge would assume all responsibility and cost associated with minting the coins, and would also reap 100% of the profits from the sale of any coins. The Grand Duke would be given three copies of every coin minted to be deposited in the [[Crown Jewels of Westarctica|Royal Collection]]. Management of the program and design of the coins would remain the sole responsibility of Jorge, while Grand Duke Travis' involvement was limited to some creative input and final approval of the coin designs. | The initial arrangement between the Central Bank and the Grand Duke was that Jorge would assume all responsibility and cost associated with minting the coins, and would also reap 100% of the profits from the sale of any coins. The Grand Duke would be given three copies of every coin minted to be deposited in the [[Crown Jewels of Westarctica|Royal Collection]]. Management of the program and design of the coins would remain the sole responsibility of Jorge, while Grand Duke Travis' involvement was limited to some creative input and final approval of the coin designs. | ||
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[[File:Coin-Balleny Island 1 2005 Bronze.jpg|thumb|$1 coin of the Balleny Islands (obverse and reverse)]] | [[File:Coin-Balleny Island 1 2005 Bronze.jpg|thumb|$1 coin of the Balleny Islands (obverse and reverse)]] | ||
::''Main article: [[$1 Westarctican Dollar Coin]]'' | ::''Main article: [[$1 Westarctican Dollar Coin]]'' | ||
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 [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin|Jon-Lawrence Langer]]. On the reverse is a map of the Balleny Islands showing the islands [[Young Island|Young]], [[Buckle Island|Buckle]], and [[Sturge Island|Sturge]]. It was released in two different metals (bronze and silver), but otherwise, the two coins of the series are identical. | 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 of Westarctica|coat of arms]] as designed by [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin|Jon-Lawrence Langer]]. On the reverse is a map of the Balleny Islands showing the islands [[Young Island|Young]], [[Buckle Island|Buckle]], and [[Sturge Island|Sturge]]. It was released in two different metals (bronze and silver), but otherwise, the two coins of the series are identical. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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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. | 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 | 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 [[Richard Byrd|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. | They were not terribly popular with collectors, and are generally sold at the low price range for Westarctican coins. | ||
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[[File:Westarctica 10 Grand Duke.png|thumb|Color image of the 10 Westarctican Dollar coin]] | [[File:Westarctica 10 Grand Duke.png|thumb|Color image of the 10 Westarctican Dollar coin]] | ||
::''Main article: [[$10 Westarctican Dollars Coin]]'' | ::''Main article: [[$10 Westarctican Dollars Coin]]'' | ||
The third coin minted by the Central Bank and the first bearing a likeness of a person is the 2005 $10 Westarctican Dollars coin. It features an image of [[Grand Duke Travis]] on the obverse, which was created from a portrait session. The reverse provides a rare example of a color version of Westarctica's [[Westarctica | The third coin minted by the Central Bank and the first bearing a likeness of a person is the 2005 $10 Westarctican Dollars coin. It features an image of [[Grand Duke Travis]] on the obverse, which was created from a portrait session. The reverse provides a rare example of a color version of Westarctica's [[National Symbols of Westarctica|arms]] as they were in 2005. | ||
Aside from being the first coin to feature a person, it is also unique in that both sides of the coin are encased in a malleable plastic to protect them from wear and damage. This makes the coin particularly resilient, leading Grand Duke Travis to comment: | Aside from being the first coin to feature a person, it is also unique in that both sides of the coin are encased in a malleable plastic to protect them from wear and damage. This makes the coin particularly resilient, leading Grand Duke Travis to comment: | ||