Coins

Coins are usually defined as a piece of hard metal, usually round, the shape of a disc and used as a form of currency. However there are quite a few countries who do not stick to this norm of round coins. They issue a variety of odd-shaped coins which many collectors find attractive and eagerly collect them. Even though round coins are mass produced by a majority of the nations, approximately fifty nations have issued coins of various designs and sizes for circulation and commemorative purposes. The world’s first bi-metal coin is the Mongolian coin which is very unusual. This coin has a nominal face value of 500 Tugrik and has a mintage of only 5000 pieces.

Some of the other odd shaped coins include the Oval shaped coin, which was built to commemorate the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Around 2000 pieces of coal were recovered. Liberia issued an Oval Silver Proof 10 Dollar Coin which had a depiction of the doomed ship and a small piece of coal from the Titanic incorporated in it. Another rare coin is the flower shaped coin which was issued by Bangladesh from 1973 to 1984. Other countries who have issued flower shaped coins also known as scalloped edge coins include Maldives, Swaziland, Israel and many more.

Other odd shaped coins include triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal coins. However, rectangular coins are less common than square or diamond-shaped coins. Also most of the rectangular coins are higher priced than their angular counterparts. A good example on the oddity of coin design can be seen in Hong Kong’s 1976 to 1979 $5 copper-nickel coin which is 10-sided. Argentina has also issued several octagonal and 12-sided coins. The most oddly shaped coin has to be the .999 fine silver 2002 $10 issued by the Republic of Nauru, an island republic located in the western Pacific Ocean. Its design is indeed unique, as its outline is the shape of the nations that comprise the European Economic Union.

Many countries are known to have issued diamond shaped coins such as Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Bahamas and Netherlands. People invest in rare coins with the expectation that their numismatic value will increase. High grade coins are usually preferred. Most investors understand the risks involved in coin investments and take appropriate measures to minimize these risks.