The most unusual, original and interesting coins in the world. Unusual coins of the world What forms of coins are there

The most unusual, and therefore especially attractive, shape of coins is in the form of a triangle. For many numismatists, such items in the collection are a source of pride.

Where and when were triangular-shaped coins produced? Let us not first delve too far into history, but turn to some triangular money of foreign origin that came out at the end of the twentieth - beginning of the twenty-first century.

Well, of course, these are Bermuda coins. The world-famous “Bermuda Triangle” could not help but be played up by the British in numismatics. From 1996 to 2008, several unusual coins were issued, triangular in shape with slightly rounded corners and slightly convex sides and, accordingly, a ship theme. It was 1 dollar, 3 dollars. 9, 30 and 60 dollars, copper-nickel, silver and gold, as well as silver and gold plated. In some of them, the mysterious Bermuda “card,” as they say, is played to the end: an image of a ship in distress at sea is used. On others, the floating craft “feels” confident and looks very attractive.

The Cook Islands also have their own triangular coins. The first is for circulation. These are two dollars issued from 1987 to 1994, featuring a mortar and pestle. These 2 dollars are made of copper-nickel alloy. The other coin is a silver $5 coin with Swarovski crystals, issued in 2008. It's called "Christmas in Rome."

Slovakia stepped into the 21st century with unusual triangular money. This country issued silver 500 crowns and silver-platinum-gold 5000 crowns in 2001. Both coins were issued in honor of the Millennium.

Canada also used a triangular geometric shape on its money. These are 50 cent coins, also with slightly rounded corners and slightly convex sides. The copper-nickel dime, minted in 2009, follows the shape of a pick and reflects a musical theme. This numismatic delicacy is of particular interest, of course, to lovers and connoisseurs of playing the guitar.

And another one, similar in shape and of the same denomination, only made of silver, is a Canadian coin dedicated to the milk delivery service. On the colored reverse there is an image of a cow and a bottle of milk.

This unusual banknote came out in 2008. It is interesting, in addition to its shape and color presentation, because it was made in memory of the tokens that circulated in the country in the mid-twentieth century. These tokens were metal, of different shapes, including triangular with curves. Each of them gave the right to receive a quart (about a liter) or a pint (close to half a liter) of milk.

Well, it’s worth mentioning the Australian commemorative silver, triangle-shaped, 5 dollars, which have been issued since 2013. The first coin was dedicated to the Houses of Parliament (the building is engraved on the reverse). Others commemorate the centenary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and veterans of the First World War.

In our country, of course, triangular coins seem very unusual. Neither in modern Russia nor in the USSR anything like this was minted. And if you just look far into history, you can find triangular money... The Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich introduced new denominations into circulation - the ruble and with it some others, for example, such as half a half and a half. Rubles were minted from foreign silver thalers and also made from copper (they were called efimki). And the half-fifty coins, which made up 1/4 of them, were minted on quarter thalers. This is how the coins turned out to be triangular. Today it is impossible for a numismatist to find them, and collectors are content with copies of ancient valuable “triangle coins”.

Money is a topic that is always interesting to talk about. Of course, it’s best if there is something to talk about, but otherwise you shouldn’t be discouraged.
In general, it is believed that the history of coins goes back about 2,700 years. During this time, the shape, material and value of the coins themselves changed. The well-known science of numismatics has attracted the attention of many. But we will not talk about ancient coins now, because this is the lot of specialists; let’s talk about unusual modern coins that appeared in the recent past and are still in circulation.

To begin with, let’s conduct a small educational program.
Firstly coins that are not intended directly for everyday payments are divided into collectible and investment.

After purchase, collectible coins can be stored in collections (unexpected, right?) and, if necessary, sold either to another collector, or handed over as scrap, or accepted at the denomination indicated on them (a shame...).

Investment coins have the status and technical characteristics of coins made of precious metals and have legal circulation, which makes it possible for them to circulate at prices close to the value of the precious metals they contain. Those. they have the opportunity to buy them back by banks at the price of the precious metal.
Secondly, there are different qualities of coinage. Well, we won’t focus on this either. Anyone interested can find material about coinage and ways to distinguish a fake on the Bank of Russia website.

Another interesting feature that is directly related to the production of commemorative coins is the country of origin.
Everyone understands when a country with some kind of economy issues collectible coins. But it is very surprising when such coins, and even the most interesting in terms of design and technology, are issued by states that are not mentioned almost anywhere without special need...
Let's give a couple of examples.

Cook Islands 5 dollars, 2008. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. 999 silver/halo gold plated. Weight: 25 gr. Coin size: 30 x 38 mm. The coin is covered with a colored wooden plate, stylized as an icon. The approximate cost in Russia is 5,600 rubles.
Cook Islands.An archipelago consisting of 15 islands, 3 of which are uninhabited. Population - about 20 thousand people In 1965, the Cook Islands became a self-governing state entity in commonwealth with New Zealand. By the way, Russia does not recognize the Cook Islands as a subject of international law, which does not prevent it from selling collectible coins on its territory.

Vikings set. 925 silver and gold plating.
Principality of Andorra- one of the dwarf states of Europe, which does not have access to the sea. Until 1993, it was under the dual protectorate of France and the Bishop of Urgell. Diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation have been established since June 13, 1995. Andorra's population is 84,129 people.

Set of 3 Vanuatu coins "Pisces -06" in original configuration (in a case stylized as an aquarium) Silver, 150 vatu
Republic of Vanuatu- a Pacific country in Melanesia. The Republic of Vanuatu is located on 83 islands of the New Hebrides archipelago. The population of Vanuatu is 215,446 people.

Nauru 10 dollars, 2008. Father Frost. Silver 999/enamel. Weight: 34.5 g. Diameter: 38.6 mm. Circulation up to 155,000 pcs. The approximate cost in Russia is 3250 rubles.
Republic of Nauru- a dwarf state on the coral island of the same name in the western part of the Pacific Ocean with an area of ​​21.3 km? and a population of 13.7 thousand people. Nauru is the smallest independent republic on Earth, the smallest island state, the smallest state outside Europe and the only republic in the world without an official capital. But he has a Russian ambassador. Currently, the Russian Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia is also the Ambassador to the Republic of Nauru.

Readers who like to dig between the lines, of course, immediately understood what was going on. Of course, about offshore (as it is now considered correct to write) zones.
But this is all theory, so let’s move on to the most interesting thing, namely a review of unusual coins of the world.

New Zealand, 2010, 1 dollar, 999 silver, 1 oz, diameter 40 mm
Heitiki made from New Zealand jade is a traditional decorative figurine of the Maori people, the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand, considered an integral symbol of power, strength and longevity. According to legend, heitiki is capable of absorbing oil from the wearer's body over time, and therefore his essence.

Pitcairn Islands, 2010, $2, 999 silver, 1 oz, 40.7 mm diameter, tiger box, 3D tiger footprint inside lid

International Year of Astronomy. Coin of increased diameter with inserted elements of the iron-nickel-cobalt-phosphorus meteorite Campo del Cielo, which fell 4000 years ago in Argentina. Australia, 2009, silver 99.9, 50 g, diameter 50 mm

Tuvalu, 2008, 999 gold (1/25, 1/10 and 1/5 ounce), edition of 5000 copies. Luck cat Moneki Neko. The right raised paw attracts wealth and good luck; left - friends, love or clients; Both raised paws attract health and success.

Colored coin dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the launch of the 1st satellite. Unique sounding box in the shape of a globe. When you open the box, the signals that the satellite transmitted to the radio are reproduced. Fiji, 2007, 999 silver, 1 oz, diameter 40.7 mm

Australia 2007, first of the Orbital coin series, satellite orbiting the center of the globe coin, 99.9 Silver.

Congo, 2006, 10 francs, .925 silver, weight 25 grams. This lighthouse coin glows in the dark!

Palau, 2007, $10.999 silver, stained glass insert

Tuvalu, 1 dollar, silver.999

Cambodia, 3000 riel, silver.999. A wish for optimism and perseverance in achieving your goal in the “Don’t Give Up!” coin.

Amazing 3D Acrylic Coin - 10 Congo Francs

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of the great Admiral Nelson, the Government of the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands issued a joint set of two coins: 1/2 oz gold and 1 oz silver. Features of these coins are the extremely small mintage of 999 pieces, as well as the presence in each of the coins of a copper insert made from copper taken from His Majesty's ship "Victory". This fact is confirmed by a certificate from the National Maritime Museum of Great Britain.

Cook Islands, 2006, 2 New Zealand dollars, 999 silver, 1 oz, proof like with color photo print, diameter 40.7 mm. A set of coins with color images of legendary aircraft of the 30s.

An absolutely unique Liberian coin dedicated to the events of 9/11 in the USA. Silver plated copper-nickel, $1.00, 39mm diameter. On the reverse of the coin there are 2 indentations in the shape of the foundation of the Twin Towers. Miniature copies of the towers are inserted into the recesses. The composition is completed by two rays of illumination!

Congo, 2006, 10 francs, acrylic, 3-dimensional image, diameter 5 cm, edition of 500 copies. Coin dedicated to the 5th anniversary of 9/11.

Isle of Man, 2003, Cu-Ni. The central rotating disk has a slot, combining which with the names of the 12 member countries of the European Union, printed on the edge of the coin, you can determine the exchange rate of a particular currency at the time the country joined the European Union.

Congo 20 franc coin dedicated to
G8 meeting in St. Petersburg in the summer of 2006. Made of optical glass with laser engraving inside the glass and on the edge of the coin - summit participants. Coin circulation - 50 pcs. Diameter - 80 mm.

A set of six Somali coins dedicated to legendary cars.

Silver plated coins of Somalia in the form of guitars. Dedication to the 50th anniversary of Rock and Roll.

Coins of Belarus from the “Orthodox Saints” series. The main element of the obverse of the coins is the image of a stylized Orthodox church framed by a stylized patterned arch.
On the reverse of the coins, against the background of a stylized ornament with inserts of cut red and green stones, one of the Orthodox saints is depicted: St. Sergius of Radonezh, Grand Martyr. Panteleimon, St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk.

Coins of Rwanda from the “Zodiac Signs” series (with diamond inserts). On the reverse of each coin, framed by a ring containing graphic symbols of the twelve signs of the zodiac, there is a gilded image of a person, animal or object symbolizing the zodiac constellation to which the coin is dedicated, against a background of stylized clouds and stars (the stars of the zodiac constellation are also highlighted in gilding). The four stars of the zodiac constellation are made in the form of diamond inserts weighing 0.002 g each.

A set of Sierra Leonean coins featuring nocturnal animals. On the reverse of each coin there is a relief image of one of four animals: duiker antelope, pygmy hippopotamus, honey badger and galago lemur, framed by a pattern containing silhouette images of various animals and humans. The eyes of “night” animals are made in the form of inserts of diamonds of insignificant weight.

Rectangular Australian coins depicting Chinese mythological characters.

Coins of Malawi from the “Treasures of St. Petersburg” series.

Canadian coins with enamel.


Heroes of children's fairy tales, the Three Little Pigs and Sleeping Beauty became the themes of the Isle of Man coins


There is a new addition to the family of small gold coins with symbolic meaning. This time Palau releases the Shooting Star coin.
One dollar, gold 9999 0.5 grams, Diamond Uncirculated




This small (half gram) 9999 gold coin is sure to captivate. Its shape, in the form of a four-leaf clover, is supposed to attract good luck, just like the previously mentioned coin with a natural four-leaf clover leaf.


An amazing series of coins from Niue, dedicated to great artists. Real works of art! Silver 925, face value 1 dollar, year of issue 2007

Coin - illusion "Cat in the window", 4000 kwacha, Zambia 2001


Coin dedicated to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. A visit to the USA is quite unusual. Not only is it uniquely shaped like a map of the USA, it is also adorned with Swarovski crystals in the colors of the American flag. Cook Islands, 2008, $5, 999 silver, 25 g, edition of 5000, gold plated, Swarovski crystals in the colors of the flag USA, proof


Coins in the shape of the Australian continent


Among the new products of the coming 2010, the world's first coin with a three-dimensional hologram already stands out.
The coin is called "Tender Love" with the main design theme of three roses with a holographic coating.


The theme of the coins is the 175th anniversary of the publication of the first book of fairy tales by the great Hans Christian Andersen.
Samoa, 2010, 10 dollars, 925 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, proof, edition of 2500 copies,


Titanium two-color coins. The British Virgin Islands have issued coins that, in addition to using a high-tech and unusual material - titanium, use its two oxides - gold and blue. The coins have different colors on the reverse and obverse.

Coins with inserts of precious and semi-precious stones




Square coins of Turkey


Oval coins "Flowers of Turkey"


100 Austrian schillings. Silver 900, inlay - titanium


Chinese fan-shaped coins. Series "Chinese calendar", Gold, Silver 999


"Miss You" Coin. Silver, enamel, Swarovski crystal


Australia, 2006, silver coin with capsule containing miniature replicas of six coins that were the means of payment before the introduction of decimalization in Australia


The first coin from a series about the outstanding sculptures of the world with an insert of a miniature sculpture made of real marble

Coin with sound! "I'm proud to be a Berliner!" - when you press the button, the coin reproduces the historical phrase of John Kennedy.


Crystal Silver Coin


Cook Islands, for the 80th anniversary of Benedict XVI, 2007, denomination 5 dollars, silver 925, 25 g, gold plated - gold 999, Swarovski crystals

Coin in memory of John Paul II in the form of a cross with black Swarovski crystals, silver, gold plated and Continuing the relay of commemoration of John Paul II, the government of Liberia has issued a very unusual coin. The coin is completely black except for the gold bas-relief of the Pope.

Transformable coin "Sundial" and coin-compass




Set of four coins. The reverses of the coins together spell out the word "Cook". The circulation is 1779 sets i.e. year in which Cook was killed by natives in Hawaii


Illusion coin. A woman hiding in autumn leaves. Palau, 2008, 5 dollars, 925 silver


Coin with inserts of elements of a real meteorite. 925 silver, palladium plated


Continuation of the series of coins with inserts of elements of real meteorites. Martian meteorite. Cook Islands, 2009, 5 dollars, 925 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, antique plating, copper plating, edition of 2500 copies,


A unique set dedicated to the main milestones in space exploration. The set, housed in a metal “astronaut” suitcase made of aluminum, includes five coins and a capsule with a lunar meteorite particle.


The world's first coin in the shape of a pyramid with a capsule containing sand from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in the Valley of the Pharaohs by the famous English archaeologist Carter in 1922


A unique coin with a thermal image. In its original state, the coin has a uniform red color. When you heat the coin with your hands, an image of a chicken appears

Cook Islands, Egyptian pyramids. Transformer coin. The insert can be installed vertically on the coin


Sierra Leone, $75. 24 carat gold, purple niobium.

Modern coins of Hungary


Two-color niobium coin

Unique spinning top coin


Marine calendar for 50 years.


Palau, 2009, $5, 999 Silver. Braille, raised dots on the coin spell out "2009".

Coin with a butterfly design


4 triangular coins arranged like a puzzle

The Central Bank of Congo has released three coins dedicated to the biblical story of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts to the newborn Jesus. These coins are unusual in that each of them has inserts corresponding to these gifts: gold, myrrh and frankincense.


A stunningly unusual coin issued in Niue. When you press the coin, the built-in light comes on, repeating the concept of the first incandescent electric lamp invented by Edison.
Coin with a built-in light source "Edison", face value $1, minted 2005, PROOF, mintage 2500, silver.925, weight 38.61

Coin with concave relief

"Commonwealth Games", three-metal coin: gold, silver, copper.

An unusual turquoise titanium coin commemorating the world's first misprint on a Western Australian postage stamp in 1855


Canadian coins with hologram


Coins with horse designs


For the upcoming year of the Tiger according to the eastern calendar, Liberya has released a set of colored rectangular coins. 4 coins, each: 5 dollars, silver 99.9, 20 g, size 56*25 mm, proof, circulation 8000 copies,


This coin is an amazing gift to remember your vacation! She smells like the sea!
A coin with the heavenly smell of the sea!
Palau, 2010, 5 dollars, 925 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, proof, 2500 copies


Silver coin with a gold rectangular insert.

Series "Dangerous Animals" Tuvalu, 1 dollar, 999 silver


A coin that combines beauty, history, symbolism, and Orthodoxy. Icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Cook Islands, 2009, 5 dollars, silver 999, 25 g, size 30*38 mm, proof, edition 2500 copies,

Another case of using wood in the production of a coin.
Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Art by Andrey Rublev. A unique coin with a removable wooden icon plate. Cook Islands, 2008, $5, 999 silver, 25 g, size 30/38 mm, edition of 2500 copies, proof


Like the original, the icon of the Holy Trinity, and its embodiment in silver, evoke admiration for its polished beauty.
Cook Islands coin, 2010, 5 dollars, silver 999, 25 g, size 30*38 mm, proof, mintage only 2500. This coin will become a rarity in many ways.

Coin with a capsule containing holy water from the source of Lourdes.


Coin with carbon insert from a real Formula 1 car - Ferrari F2008. Cook Islands, 2009, 5 dollars, 500 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, proof,


The Cook Islands have released a set of coins that can be called the smallest in the world. Three 999 silver and gold coins weigh 0.12 grams each


Australia has released a series of coins-amulet "Fortune". "Longevity". "Success". "Wealth".
Series of coins "Mythological Chinese characters". Australia 2009, 1 Australian Dollar, 99.9 Silver, 1 oz, size 47.60 x 27.40, 4mm thick, color image, coin comes in a bright booklet.


Today I present two stunning amber coins, true works of art


Australia gave collectors a stunning gift for the New Year. Two new loose gem coins in a clear capsule now contain Kimberley diamonds. The coin was issued in silver and gold, with proof quality.


And a little humor: the largest wooden monument to the ruble was cut out and installed in Russia. He appeared on June 10, 2008 in the city of Tomsk. A wooden ruble weighing 250 kilograms and measuring more than two meters was installed on one of the squares for a traditional city event - the Tomsk Carnival. The wooden ruble is made in a realistic manner on a scale of 1:100. The festival organizers have already submitted an application to have the wooden ruble included in the Guinness Book of Records.


An elegant and meaningful coin issued by Nauru - Guardian Angel

Canadian designers decided that single-color coins were a relic of the past, and created a series of unusual colored coins with holograms. This is a step into the future.


But the designers who worked on the image of Turkish coins decided that the main thing is not the color, but the shape, so their single-color coins are cut in the shape of squares and ovals with nice embossing on both sides.



Coins made of gold and silver, made in the shape of a fan, so popular in China. They belong to the "Chinese Calendar" series, each packaged in a separate box and then in a case.




And in Belarus, fans of the work of Alexandre Dumas will be able to find something to their liking. Namely, a series of souvenir coins based on The Three Musketeers. Thus, four silver coins depict four inseparable friends, each has a zirconium of a certain color attached to his sword, and behind his back is an enamel painting depicting what was dear to each of them. Interestingly, the set is packaged in a special book-shaped case. Certificate included.


New Zealand has its own favorite books. So, everyone knows that Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy was filmed mainly in New Zealand, so the state decided to skim off all the cream that it could from this fact. Therefore, a series of souvenir coins was issued depicting the main characters of this trilogy. Both silver and gold coins were minted.



But Somali souvenir coins can hardly even be called coins. Souvenirs - that's all...




The same applies to coins made in the Congo. Both the wooden ones, issued with a slogan in defense of animals, and the silver ones, with inserts of gold, incense and myrrh, which symbolize the gifts brought to little Jesus by the three wise men.


Islands are small planets, separate worlds with their own laws and regulations, thinking and way of life. This is exactly what you think when looking at the amazingly unusual coins issued on the islands.

In 2014, the British Royal Mint decided to redesign the £1 coin. The reason was that approximately 3% of the £1 coins in circulation were counterfeit - this despite the annual seizure of approximately two million counterfeits (there are one and a half billion £1 coins in circulation). It was claimed that the new pound would be the most counterfeit-proof of all known coins. As with all British coins, the obverse should show the Queen's profile (Fig. 1); but a competition was announced for the design of the reverse. The coin was planned to be released in 2017.

Rice. 1. Great Britain, 1 pound coin project, 2014 (“TrV” No. 14(233), 07/18/2017" border="0">

The design of the coin - a regular 12-gon, which followed the design of the traditional threepenny coin of 1937-1971 - caused concern among owners of vending machines, ticket offices, etc.: the width of the coin depended on the angle at which it entered the machine's receiver, which could create difficulties for automatically assessing the denomination and authenticity of the coin. Therefore, in 2016, the corners were smoothed, the sides were rounded, and experiments showed that such a coin with a diameter of 23.03 mm (between sides) to 23.43 mm (between corners) would be accepted quite well by vending machines. The coin was released on March 28, 2017; within six months, old and new pounds will be accepted equally, and on October 15, the old coins will go out of circulation. The author of the image on the reverse, which combines the symbols of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, was fifteen-year-old David Pearce, a student at Queen Mary's Grammar School in Walsall (Fig. 2).

In fact, all these vicissitudes could have been avoided, and the Royal Mint knows how: since 1969, Great Britain has minted heptagonal fifty pence pieces of constant diameter, first 30 mm (Fig. 3), and since 1998 - 27.3 mm (Fig. 4) .

The constant diameter of a figure means that between any pair of parallel tangents there will be the same distance. Therefore, the machine doesn’t care how the coin is inserted into it.

Similar coins were minted by territories dependent on the British crown: the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, as well as Ireland (Fig. 5).

The 20 pence coins (constant diameter 21 mm), which have been minted since 1982, were also heptagonal (Fig. 6).

All these coins have the shape regular Reuleaux polygon- a figure of constant diameter built on a regular polygon. Its geometric construction is not difficult: you need to draw arcs with centers at the vertices and radii equal in length to the diagonal that leads to the vertices limiting the opposite edge. The coins listed above are shaped like a Reuleaux heptagon; Austrian 5 euros (Fig. 7) - nine-sided.

But the most famous figure is, of course, the Reuleaux triangle (Fig. 8).

It has many wonderful properties, for example, you can rotate the Reuleaux triangle inside a square so that it always touches all four sides of the square. In this case, the center of the triangle describes a figure formed by four ellipses (Fig. 9).

And the triangle itself covers almost the entire square, except for small areas in the corners, also limited by ellipses (Fig. 10).

The shape of the Reuleaux triangle is (of course) the Bermuda souvenir coins (Fig. 11 and 12) and the Canadian commemorative coin (Fig. 13).

For comparison, this is simply a triangular Australian coin commemorating soldiers of the First World War (Fig. 14).

There are simple generalizations of the geometric design by which these coins are derived. A figure of constant diameter can be constructed using as a basis a star with sides of the same length, not necessarily regular (Fig. 15).

You can also construct a figure by starting with an arbitrary triangle; Moreover, each vertex is the center of not one, but two arcs, which is why the corners are smoothed (Fig. 16). Let in a triangle ABC corner A the smallest (and thus the opposite side a the shortest). Let's choose a non-negative radius r A. Now we need to select the radii r V And r C so that the relations are satisfied a+r V+r C=r A+b+r C=r A+r V+c. This is easy to do, and the diameter of the figure is equal to 2 r A+b+With–a. The smallest radius controls smoothing at corners: when r A=0 we get a figure with one acute angle, and when r A→∞ the figure turns into a circle.