World Coins Countries I-L

1 Loti from Lesotho, a Briliant uncirculated coin issued by the Royal Mint to honour the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

with elephant, Brilliant Uncirculated

50th Anniversary of United Nations Prooflike Uncirculated

In 1977 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee 1952-1977. She visited Lundy and a souvenir sheet was issued to honour that event. We have been offering that souvenir sheet with the two coin-tokens of a Puffin and a Half Puffin based on the first Lundy coin-tokens issued in 1929. At that time, the Government took umbrage, and the man who made them had to go to court. Many of our collectors want the coin-tokens, but do not want the souvenir sheet. They are struck in copper and are in brilliant Proof condition. Well worth adding to your collection, after all, how many Lundy issues have there been?

In 1964 Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg abdicated, though she would live well beyond that until 1985. Charlotte took the throne in 1919 following the abdication of her sister Marie-Adelaide, who was forced to step down over allegations of collaboration with the Germans in World War 1. She led her small nation for 45 years, gaining notoriety for her refusal to deal with the Germans during World War 2 and for her broadcasts to her homeland made during her forced exile. We have found a small number of the last 1 franc coins struck during her reign between 1952 and 1964. The coins show a metal worker and bear Charlotte’s cypher, and come in Very Fine condition.

In 1854 Luxembourg introduced the decimal franc and now we can off er you the first ever bronze 10 centime coin minted for use in the country. It features a crowned coat of arms for the Grand Duchy, which was then ruled by King Willem III of the Netherlands in a personal union. This lasted until his death in 1890, after which the throne of Luxembourg passed to a minor branch of the Dutch Royal House of Orange-Nassau as laws of the Grand Duchy then banned female succession. These coins are in Fine condition or better.

For years a part of India was controlled by the Portuguese and they issued coins for use in their territory. The Portuguese were the first to find a maritime route to India in 1498 and they established colonies in the territory that lasted until 1969 (Goa). In 1935 they issued a Silver Rupia, the first since 1912 and they didn’t issue another one until 1947. The 1935 Rupia was struck in Sterling Silver and the 1947 in only half silver. The 1935 is a one year type coin and an important one at that. We have the coin available in two grades, About Uncirculated and Brilliant Uncirculated, the choice is yours. These coins were part of a small hoard that was found about 30 years ago.

Sometime ago there was a little hoard of Portuguese Indian silver coins discovered. The thing about them was the condition, they were in Brilliant Uncirculated condition and almost never seen in such high grades. We have handled more of the hoard than almost any other dealer, but what was not disclosed was that the Rupia was Scarce. You now have the opportunity to add this beautiful Brilliant Uncirculated Silver one year only type coins from Portuguese India to your collection. The hoard has been dispersed and they are now becoming more difficult to find and their prices are going up.

Since India gained its independence in 1948, there have been over 30 different 1 rupee coins struck for general circulation, many of them commemoratives. Here we have put together a set of 5 such 1 rupee coins, selected randomly from our stock. The coins come in several grades and have been struck in a variety of metals such as nickel and copper-nickel, though more recent ones are made of stainless steel. Please note that the coins supplied may diff er from the sample set in the photograph.

These small silver 1 dirham coins circulated in Sindh province, which is located in what is now south-east Pakistan. Also known as “damma”, the coins were in use during the rule of the Habbari Dynasty, which ruled Sindh and the Punjab between 854AD and 1011AD. The coins themselves date from the time of the founder of the dynasty, Umar bin Abdul Aziz al-Habbari, who reigned from 854AD until 884AD. Although there has been some wear and tear, these coins are over 1,000 years old and are in Very Fine condition.

In 1674, the French set up a trading post in Pondicherry, now known as Puducherry in south eastern India. It later became main French settlement in India. These silver 1 Fanon coins, worth 1/5 of a rupee, were issued in the colony between 1738 and 1792, and struck at the Mahé Mint in another French colony in South West India. On the obverse there is the letter “P” for Pondicherry, while on the reverse are the words “French Company” in Persian. Very nice, high grade Silver coins over 230 years old.