This page is for mostly modern world coins that do not fit into the more specialized web pages. Please mention the "Code" in parentheses after the country name when ordering. Click on the thumbnail for a larger view of the coin.
Shipwreck Beads Tubular, milk-white beads of variable size, these are collected as they wash up on the beaches of the Casamance district of Senegal, along with Green-hearts, another crude, early Venetian trade bead. The circulating beads of the same type are called "Goombah". 649a) Strand (24") of circulated Goombah beads $8.50; 649s) Long strand (32") of sea-damaged Goombah beads, called Casamance beads. Rough, crazed surfaces with a crude charm. ($10 each per 5 strands). Single strand: $11.50
Mongol Khans (AE) Genghis Khan Copper Jital, "Ghazna type." Coins citing Genghis by name are rare, but this comes close, and is the least expensive coin of Genghis. Legends: al-khaqan al-'adil al-a'zam (The just, supreme Khan), Rev: al-nasir al-din Ullah Amir al-Mumanin (Defender of the Faith, Commander of the Faithful) Thick, 16mm copper with silver wash, crude AF-F, often off-center, with weak areas or soil adhesions. Worst sides of four typical specimens shown. Album-1969 $37.50
Dutch Malacca MN36
Tin 1/2 Bazaruco of ca. 1641 in imitation of earlier Portuguese coinage of Dom Felipe II (1598-1621), O: Heraldic sheld of Felipe, R: Cross surrounded by border of dots , 13-15m, avg. 1.14g The only coin type specifically issued by the Dutch for use in Malacca. (It has long been known from a report by Justus Schouten of 7 September, 1641, that upon conquest of Malacca from the Portuguese, underweight tin coins of local style were issued, but until recently these issues had not been identified. In Research Article No. 2 of 1989 (Malaysia Numismatic Soc.), PortugueseOccupation (1511-1641), Unlisted Tin Coins Found in Malacca (photocopy available $1.25) E. E. Sim catalogs and discusses a number of types, now generally thought to be products of the forgery factory still operating in Kuala Lumpur. He speculates that the last four varieties may represent the legitimate Dutch issues, and from the numbers of pieces found in recent excavations and dredgings, it is now quite apparent that this is the case. After this brief issue, the Dutch used regular VOC coinage in Malacca.) MN-nl, SS-nl, V-F2/13.01, Sim (1983) AF2.6 rough F-VF 23.50
CHINA: (XC) Uncirculated Large Cash C26.5.2 Yunnan Prov. Emp. Hsien Feng, 1851-61 10 Cash, 40mm, Xian Feng Zhong Bao, Rev: Boo Yun Dang Shi (Value Ten) From a mint-state hoard, a little rough surfaced as pre-circulated cast coinages are, some greenish patina & soil 8.50
X25 Indonesia Strings Most Chinese cash imported to the U.S. today are for the jewelry & crafts trade, and they come from Indonesia, where local Chinese communities have imported them for use since the Ming dynasty. Suppliers there collect them from villagers, construction people, or anyone else who finds them in a family treasure trove or buried in the ground. They are tied with plastic twine in strings of 200. Sometimes coins found at one spot will manage to stay together, as I have seen strings where every coin is toned & encrusted alike (common burial), or where there are no coins past Yung Cheng's reign. Sample strings from recent imports show about 90% Qing, naturally dominated by the commoner rulers, Peking Mints, though usually with some Sung, Ming, a Kai Yuan or two, and a few Japanese and Vietnamese. There may be a few contemporary counterfeits or badly worn/encrusted pieces, but generally they keep these out as unwanted by the jewelry market. Recent batches include a few crude copies of (usually) Qing cash, or novel designs, made recently for use in weddings or Muslim prayer shawls when genuine cash are scarce. I do not pick through these strings, nor does my supplier, but I have no idea who sees them before the coins get to him.
I pick these strings by leafing through them without breaking the cord, leaving the rest for the crafters. String of 200: $80 Three or more strings $70 each. Postage for up to 3 strings priority mail USA $4.80; most foreign $11.00 fper 2 strings airmail. Special Offer of selected, better strings.
Colombia (CO) L14 Leprosarium 50 Centavos, brass, 1928 Vg-F Five pieces $30; Each: 7.50
- - - - K196 10 Centavos 1941,42B Selected from hoard UC 5.50
Darfur (DH) K2 Sultanate in Western Sudan independent until 1874, then again 1898-1914(?) under Sult. Ali Dinar Billon Piastre, crude local issue of al-Fashar Mint, imitating an Egyptian coin with garbled legends and dates, issued 1908-1914 Note: These are crudely made, dark coins. The brightness in the illustration has been raised to show details. The specimen is the worst "VgF" in stock; yours will be this nice or better for grade. Partial dates: x/17, x/71, 1327/x Vg-F Each: 60.00
- - - K2 Unclear date and regnal year, cruder strikes, call it G-Vg, typical for the issue 33.50
Equatorial Guinea (EH) The "real" coinage of this pseudo-coin mill was quite scarce at one time, as few westerners were able to get in. I used to get one or two pieces at a time from China. By the time somebody cracked this country in the early 1990s, some types wre hard to find in UC.
- - - - K59 100 Francos 1986 EF-AU $25; AU-UC $35
- - - - K60 25 Francos 1985 UC 8.50
- - - - K62 5 Francos 1985 UC 6.00
- - - - K64 50 Francos 1986 UC 17.50
Ethiopia (ZZ) 587 Coptic Crosses Historically from about 400 AD Ethiopian Christians have cast, or carved from large silver coins such as the Maria Theresa Thaler, ornate looped crosses with styles distinctive to each highland town. These hand carved nickel pieces are still made and worn today. Not a money item. Mixed designs as shown, $9 Each; $35 / 5 different; $60 / 10 different
German Colonies (XG) 20) "Donut" Beads, glass, possibly Franconia, c. 1820s-40s. Most of the trade beads used in Africa, Polynesia, and the Americas were made in Venice; this is the only type securely attributed to Germany. These specimens come from the Dogon region of Mali, and are known as Dogon Beads. Size 12-13m Single bead $0.50; five beads, including blue-black, amber, and clear $2 511) Long strands of either clear or blue (photos available) $45 each.
German Africa Trade (XG) 677) Visually convincing glass imitations of carnelian agate, from Germany, traded into Mali and Senegal. The stone beads (from India) were popular in the Africa trade. Most beads 10-15mm. Five beads, mixed sizes & shapes: $4; Strnd 15", about 70 beads, typical strand shown: 36.50
German New Guinea (GN) K1 Pfennig 1894A UC, 80% lustre, some flan defects such as pitting over "1", most visible with glass $175
Guadeloupe (GD) F1 1.5 Euros, 2004, 38mm silver. Proof ESSAI Fantasy. The majority of the 2000 mintage has a reeded edge, while a limited number of early strikes has a partial lettered edge reading NWTM ONE OZ. .999 FINE SILVER. $35
INDIA: Mughal Empire (IVV)
K437.4 Muhammad Shah 1719-48 Rupee, Delhi Mint. Least expensive high-grade Mughal. Full dates and regnal years EF/+ 18.50; Partial dates but full regnal years EF/+ (samples shown) 14.50
INDIA: Kutch (IKK) Y67 5 Kori Edward VIII of England, Emperor silver 32mm Quite a substantial coin of Edward VIII for a low price. 1936/1992 UC $13.50; 1936/1993 UC $12.50
IVORY COAST (IV) K1 10 Francs 1966 Silver 34mm, 3mm thick Elephant Pseudo-coin Proof $52.50
Kurdistan (KD) Here is an interesting fantasy issue which is actually being imported into the semi-independent Kurdish region of Iraq: 1 Dinar bz-plated zinc 27m, 10 Dinar ni-plated bz 39m, 100 Dinar silver 27m. Common reverse shown. There are also a gold 1000 Dinar struck over Canadian Maple leafs, and various off-metal strikes. To purchase, contact Joel Anderson.
Mozambique (MZ) K115-122 1,5,10,20 (all brass),50, 100,500,1000 (cu-ni?) Meticais 1994 Mostly nature designs, buildings on two largest UC 12.50
Palestine Trade Beads (XG) 536 The heyday of trade beads was the 15th-16th centuries when Venice produced a wide variety for overland trade to Africa and Asia, and later the sea trade to a wider world. Bead expert Peter Francis in Beads of the World p.78 describes a more primitive bead produced during the Crusades "in Hebron near Jerusalem sometime after the twelfth century. They made beads there, using the salts of the Dead Sea as their alkali. Their glass was opaque yellow and green, sometimes blue and black. The beads were furnace-wound and were popular in Egypt and in sub-Saharan Africa." Nowadays, well pitted and often filed down, these beads can still be found in the Sudan.
536T) Colors set Yellow are commonest, green scarcer, and dark colors much scarcer. Set of nine beads, including 3 sizes/shapes of Yellow, a Green, a Blue, and a small cut-down bead, plus (not shown) three baby and "infant" sized beads: $22.50; 536S Yellow & Green beads alone $6.50; 536Y Yellow bead $3.50; Graduated 24" strand of 49-52 yellow beads $49.50
536B) Baby Hebrons Shown with full-size beads for comparison. Strand 25-26" of either baby or smaller "infant" size $29.50 per strand
Sailendra Kingdom (HS) WM8.5a Silver Massa of this Javanese Kingdom, c. 1150-1300 AD Concave flan, with Sandalwood Flower incuse, R: Nagari Ma for Massa, 2.05-2.40?gm, 13m Wiicks (p.255) Class F, M734-738, Millies 21-22 Sample piece shown as "F" in scan. Selected from a large group, actually better but crudity of convex inscription makes them look worn: Vg-F 13.50
St. Hildegard (SC) 99 (North America) AE Follis, various designs inspired by other world coinages, each is 21m rather thick and has a common reverse with monogram of St. Hildegarde, in An Tir. These are used both at SCA events (the serious Medieval recreationists) and private Renaissance Faires, and are exchanged by Moneyers at the events. See Unusual World Coins 4th ed for the various kingdoms, rulers, and events commemorated. Moneyer Ian Cnulle. Circulated, but mostly EF or better. Singles $3.50 each, or 3 or more different of my choice $2.50 each
Saudi Arabia (SQ) KA3 1/2 Ghirsh 1344/2 (1926) Copper Toned, yellow-brown UC. May not look as bright as sample piece, as it is difficult to convey degree of toning in a scan. $30
Singapore (SI) Proof sets 1973-1977, several sets available from a customer who wishes to sell. Please advise if you are interested.
Thailand (TH) M2867 "Prakab," Kingdom of Ayuthia, King Boromakot 1733-58 31m brown clay cowrie-substitute, Fleur-de-lis obv, fingerprints embedded in rev. In Thai references called Prakab Din Paow, meaning "put together fired earth.". See LeMay pl.XXXII#9-14, Mitchiner Non-Islamic #2867, Coins in Thailand p.38-39. Taisei 2/94 Sale, Lot 1023 (unsold). Having never seen another piece, I do not know if this is genuine. Feedback sought. VF $200
Thailand (TH) M2688w, 2691v Amuletic Bullet (Kud) Mitchiner assigns these large, base-metal bullets to Sukothai ca. 1238-1361, and so they are listed in auctions, but my feeling is they are Ayuthian or Bangkok era amulets, not money, perhaps made or sold through Wats; Amuletic Bullet (Kud). This lot included several each of the rounded and angular types, all identical. While the metal appears old and there is soil encrusation, I am not sure of their age. 90-110gm, Zinc? Each: $30
- - - (TH) M2677x Amuletic Bullet (Kud) Despite the variety of types in this lot, the metal does not look aged and the prominent scratches show lack of wear. I believe these are quite modern, but were they made as legitimate religious objects, or to fool tourists? Each: $7.50
Thailand (TH) C295L Commemorative 1 Baht Bullet, Chakra plus 4x Mongkut but in LEAD. Not an official issue, certainly. First commemorative bullet I have seen in base metal. Feedback sought. $25
THAILAND (TH) Y101 50 Baht 1974 National Museum Centennial Silver 38mm One of the least expensive full sized silver crowns of Thailand. These specimens are sealed in plastic, possibly by the Mint, and are thus free of bagmarks. UC $9.50
Tibet Crown (TT) Y30 10 Srang Inscription reverse, 30.5mm Largest size "affordable" Tibet silver, but very dark toned due to low silver conten 16/24 no-dot, 16/24-dot (1950), 16/25 Fine 6.50; VF 9.00; VF+-AEF 15.00
Tibet Paper (TT) P11a 100 Srang (1942-59) Large, colorful note on rice paper, about 215x140mm, typical VF-EF specimen shown G-Vg Just $5; Vg-F $10
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Shipwreck Beads Tubular, milk-white beads of variable size, these are collected as they wash up on the beaches of the Casamance district of Senegal, along with Green-hearts, another crude, early Venetian trade bead. The circulating beads of the same type are called "Goombah". 649a) Strand (24") of circulated Goombah beads $8.50; 649s) Long strand (32") of sea-damaged Goombah beads, called Casamance beads. Rough, crazed surfaces with a crude charm. ($10 each per 5 strands). Single strand: $11.50
CHINA: (XC) Uncirculated Large Cash C26.5.2 Yunnan Prov. Emp. Hsien Feng, 1851-61 10 Cash, 40mm, Xian Feng Zhong Bao, Rev: Boo Yun Dang Shi (Value Ten) From a mint-state hoard, a little rough surfaced as pre-circulated cast coinages are, some greenish patina & soil 8.50
X25 Indonesia Strings Most Chinese cash imported to the U.S. today are for the jewelry & crafts trade, and they come from Indonesia, where local Chinese communities have imported them for use since the Ming dynasty. Suppliers there collect them from villagers, construction people, or anyone else who finds them in a family treasure trove or buried in the ground. They are tied with plastic twine in strings of 200. Sometimes coins found at one spot will manage to stay together, as I have seen strings where every coin is toned & encrusted alike (common burial), or where there are no coins past Yung Cheng's reign. Sample strings from recent imports show about 90% Qing, naturally dominated by the commoner rulers, Peking Mints, though usually with some Sung, Ming, a Kai Yuan or two, and a few Japanese and Vietnamese. There may be a few contemporary counterfeits or badly worn/encrusted pieces, but generally they keep these out as unwanted by the jewelry market. Recent batches include a few crude copies of (usually) Qing cash, or novel designs, made recently for use in weddings or Muslim prayer shawls when genuine cash are scarce. I do not pick through these strings, nor does my supplier, but I have no idea who sees them before the coins get to him.
I pick these strings by leafing through them without breaking the cord, leaving the rest for the crafters. String of 200: $80 Three or more strings $70 each. Postage for up to 3 strings priority mail USA $4.80; most foreign $11.00 fper 2 strings airmail. Special Offer of selected, better strings.
Colombia (CO) L14 Leprosarium 50 Centavos, brass, 1928 Vg-F Five pieces $30; Each: 7.50
Darfur (DH) K2 Sultanate in Western Sudan independent until 1874, then again 1898-1914(?) under Sult. Ali Dinar Billon Piastre, crude local issue of al-Fashar Mint, imitating an Egyptian coin with garbled legends and dates, issued 1908-1914 Note: These are crudely made, dark coins. The brightness in the illustration has been raised to show details. The specimen is the worst "VgF" in stock; yours will be this nice or better for grade. Partial dates: x/17, x/71, 1327/x Vg-F Each: 60.00
Ethiopia (ZZ) 587 Coptic Crosses Historically from about 400 AD Ethiopian Christians have cast, or carved from large silver coins such as the Maria Theresa Thaler, ornate looped crosses with styles distinctive to each highland town. These hand carved nickel pieces are still made and worn today. Not a money item. Mixed designs as shown, $9 Each; $35 / 5 different; $60 / 10 different
German Colonies (XG) 20) "Donut" Beads, glass, possibly Franconia, c. 1820s-40s. Most of the trade beads used in Africa, Polynesia, and the Americas were made in Venice; this is the only type securely attributed to Germany. These specimens come from the Dogon region of Mali, and are known as Dogon Beads. Size 12-13m Single bead $0.50; five beads, including blue-black, amber, and clear $2 511) Long strands of either clear or blue (photos available) $45 each.
German Africa Trade (XG) 677) Visually convincing glass imitations of carnelian agate, from Germany, traded into Mali and Senegal. The stone beads (from India) were popular in the Africa trade. Most beads 10-15mm. Five beads, mixed sizes & shapes: $4; Strnd 15", about 70 beads, typical strand shown: 36.50
German New Guinea (GN) K1 Pfennig 1894A UC, 80% lustre, some flan defects such as pitting over "1", most visible with glass $175
Guadeloupe (GD) F1 1.5 Euros, 2004, 38mm silver. Proof ESSAI Fantasy. The majority of the 2000 mintage has a reeded edge, while a limited number of early strikes has a partial lettered edge reading NWTM ONE OZ. .999 FINE SILVER. $35
Kurdistan (KD) Here is an interesting fantasy issue which is actually being imported into the semi-independent Kurdish region of Iraq: 1 Dinar bz-plated zinc 27m, 10 Dinar ni-plated bz 39m, 100 Dinar silver 27m. Common reverse shown. There are also a gold 1000 Dinar struck over Canadian Maple leafs, and various off-metal strikes. To purchase, contact Joel Anderson.
Palestine Trade Beads (XG) 536 The heyday of trade beads was the 15th-16th centuries when Venice produced a wide variety for overland trade to Africa and Asia, and later the sea trade to a wider world. Bead expert Peter Francis in Beads of the World p.78 describes a more primitive bead produced during the Crusades "in Hebron near Jerusalem sometime after the twelfth century. They made beads there, using the salts of the Dead Sea as their alkali. Their glass was opaque yellow and green, sometimes blue and black. The beads were furnace-wound and were popular in Egypt and in sub-Saharan Africa." Nowadays, well pitted and often filed down, these beads can still be found in the Sudan.
536T) Colors set Yellow are commonest, green scarcer, and dark colors much scarcer. Set of nine beads, including 3 sizes/shapes of Yellow, a Green, a Blue, and a small cut-down bead, plus (not shown) three baby and "infant" sized beads: $22.50; 536S Yellow & Green beads alone $6.50; 536Y Yellow bead $3.50; Graduated 24" strand of 49-52 yellow beads $49.50
536B) Baby Hebrons Shown with full-size beads for comparison. Strand 25-26" of either baby or smaller "infant" size $29.50 per strand
Sailendra Kingdom (HS) WM8.5a Silver Massa of this Javanese Kingdom, c. 1150-1300 AD Concave flan, with Sandalwood Flower incuse, R: Nagari Ma for Massa, 2.05-2.40?gm, 13m Wiicks (p.255) Class F, M734-738, Millies 21-22 Sample piece shown as "F" in scan. Selected from a large group, actually better but crudity of convex inscription makes them look worn: Vg-F 13.50
St. Hildegard (SC) 99 (North America) AE Follis, various designs inspired by other world coinages, each is 21m rather thick and has a common reverse with monogram of St. Hildegarde, in An Tir. These are used both at SCA events (the serious Medieval recreationists) and private Renaissance Faires, and are exchanged by Moneyers at the events. See Unusual World Coins 4th ed for the various kingdoms, rulers, and events commemorated. Moneyer Ian Cnulle. Circulated, but mostly EF or better. Singles $3.50 each, or 3 or more different of my choice $2.50 each
Saudi Arabia (SQ) KA3 1/2 Ghirsh 1344/2 (1926) Copper Toned, yellow-brown UC. May not look as bright as sample piece, as it is difficult to convey degree of toning in a scan. $30
Thailand (TH) M2867 "Prakab," Kingdom of Ayuthia, King Boromakot 1733-58 31m brown clay cowrie-substitute, Fleur-de-lis obv, fingerprints embedded in rev. In Thai references called Prakab Din Paow, meaning "put together fired earth.". See LeMay pl.XXXII#9-14, Mitchiner Non-Islamic #2867, Coins in Thailand p.38-39. Taisei 2/94 Sale, Lot 1023 (unsold). Having never seen another piece, I do not know if this is genuine. Feedback sought. VF $200
Thailand (TH) C295L Commemorative 1 Baht Bullet, Chakra plus 4x Mongkut but in LEAD. Not an official issue, certainly. First commemorative bullet I have seen in base metal. Feedback sought. $25