Armenia – Facing Dragons – 50 Rubles – 1919 – Pick 30 – Extra Fine
Armenia – Woman Spinning – 250 Rubles – 1919 – Pick 32 – Extra Fine
Bhutan – Boxing – 25 Ngultrum – 1984 – Proof Crown
Bhutan – FAO – FOOD FOR ALL – 15 Ngultrums – 1974 – Proof – KM42
Bhutan – Speed Skater – Olympic Games – 1992 – 300 Ngultrum – Proof Silver Crown
All five notes are in crisp uncirculated condition and come in an archival quality plastic envelope.AG97
Burma – Banknotes of Unusual Denominations – 15,35, 45, 75, 90 Kyat – 1985 /1987 – CU – Folder & COA – Our money is like our math. Most world coins are in the same denominations: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100. Banknotes run to larger numbers, but almost always in multiples of 5 and 100. Money of other denominations looks odd to our eye; there is a reason $2 bills never caught on in the United States. That is what makes the denominations on these banknotes, all of them issued by the Union of Burma Bank from 1985 to 1987, so unusual: 15, 35, 45, 75 and strangest of all, 90 kyats. Odd though the numbers may appear, these were all actual legal tender issued in Burma. Why did the Burmese government eschew 20s and 50s for these bizarre issues? In 1985 when the first of these banknotes, the 75 kyat, was introduced, Burma was ruled by a megalomaniac dictator, Ne Win, who put more faith in astrology and numerology than he did in economics and finance. The 75 kyat note was intended to honor his 75th birthday. In 1986, the 15 and 35 kyat notes were issued. Extremely unpopular, all three were demonetized in 1988, along with larger issues, rendering 75 percent of the national currency worthless, crippling an already crippled economy, wiping out life savings of thousands of people and triggering at least one insurgency. Instead of solving the problem, Win made it worse: 45 and 90 kyat notes were issued—these were multiples of 9, which Wins numerologist assured him was a lucky number. At the age of lucky number 90, Ne Win was arrested. He died in prison in 2002. This set includes the following notes:15 kyats – Pick 62, 35 kyats – Pick 63, 45 kyats – Pick 64, 75 kyats – Pick 65 and 90 kyats – Pick 66. The notes come as shown in a descriptive folder with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Prior to 1847, no dates are found on coins of Cambodia. It is estimated that this 2 PE coin was minted sometime between 1650 and 1850. Beginning in the 16th century, Cambodian coins began to appear that were all small, round, one-sided coins with images of plants and animals. They were crudely hand struck in silver, copper, or billion (low grade silver). This 2 PE coin would make unique and wonderful addition to the collection of world coins.
Over the years I have handled many Chinese Lunar Series pieces, but these are among the nicest I have ever seen. You can purchase this 12 piece set at a significant savings over the prices of the individual pieces.
China – “88” Colored Butterfly Medallion – Proof – 2009 – Series II – The first set of four butterfly medallions was issued by the People’s Republic of China in 2005 and can be found on our website. This set was issued recently and would make a great gift for any collector of lepidoptera or world coins. I was not able to identify the species involved, but one of our clients, Mark Schmidt, was able to provide identification as the “88”Butterfly (Diaethria clymena).
The official Chinese Jubilee collection: 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund. The People’s Bank of China commemorates this anniversary with this exclusive set: 2 coins + 1 medal in pure .999 silver!
China – Bank of China – 50 Yuan – 1942 – Pick 98 – Very Good
China – Border Collie – Medalic Issue – 2006 – Gold Plated – Proof
China – Brazilian Morpho Colored Butterfly Medallion – Proof – 2009 – Series II – The first set of four butterfly medallions was issued by the People’s Republic of China in 2005 and can be found on our website. This set was issued recently and would make a great gift for any collector of lepidoptera or world coins. I was not able to identify the species involved, but one of our clients, Mark Schmidt, was able to provide identification as the Brazilian Morpho (Morpho Aega).
One of two very cute and cuddly Panda pieces acquired from a Chinese Mint represented at the ANA Show in San Francisco in 2005. Both the Great Wall and the Panda are uniquely emblematic of China and are considered national treasures. China has effectively used pandas as gifts to foreign zoos to stimulate deeper contacts and improve relations, as their gift of two Pandas to the National Zoo in Washington D.C. proved to be effective during the Cold War. China’s pride in this unique wildlife ambassador is currently now being matched by their efforts to restore the Panda’s threatened population. The latest inventory of the Panda population conducted by the Chinese government found the number of giant panda in the wild has increased from 1,100 in 1988 to more than 1,590 today. The present rapid growth taking place in China now promises both greater interest in these amazing creatures and some new challenges as people’s views of their native habitat change.
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