Posted 10/10/2024 11:33 am
Don't have a definitive answer, will tell you what I know:
Keeling Cocos and another half a dozen other non existing countries "coins" are issued by private mints. They usually are silver and between quarter and half dollar size. Kurdistan and Palestine come to mind, as well as some other African and South American "countries", names escape me at the moment.
They all seem to issue "off metal" strikes in a very limited mintage of 30 pieces mostly in copper, but sometimes also in brass and copper-nickel.
I don't believe that they are specifically intended for distribution to specific recipients because all of them seem to be available for purchase. Real countries mints do that, when trial strikes are made and sent to Mint officials, committee members, presidents, senators, etc.
It is likely that they are limited test runs to see the results of the minting, but not too sure.
This $10 issue ( and 1978 issue of Keeling Cocos) seem to be popular with colllectors with 2 varieties identified.
Keeling Cocos and another half a dozen other non existing countries "coins" are issued by private mints. They usually are silver and between quarter and half dollar size. Kurdistan and Palestine come to mind, as well as some other African and South American "countries", names escape me at the moment.
They all seem to issue "off metal" strikes in a very limited mintage of 30 pieces mostly in copper, but sometimes also in brass and copper-nickel.
I don't believe that they are specifically intended for distribution to specific recipients because all of them seem to be available for purchase. Real countries mints do that, when trial strikes are made and sent to Mint officials, committee members, presidents, senators, etc.
It is likely that they are limited test runs to see the results of the minting, but not too sure.
This $10 issue ( and 1978 issue of Keeling Cocos) seem to be popular with colllectors with 2 varieties identified.
