Coins and postage stamps of Sealand

Early Sealandic stamps.

The Principality of Sealand, a micronation founded on a former World War II fort in the North Sea, issued a number of coins and stamps for collectors. These coins and stamps are denominated in "Sealand dollars" (SX$). Sealand coins can be considered souvenirs only or "rounds" since they do not circulate anywhere and are not accepted as currency by any nation.[1]

History

The Sealand began commissioning coins in 1972. The first to be minted was a SX$10 coin with a mintage of 2000. More coins were minted in 1975 and 1977, introducing the SX$20 and SX$100 coins. The SX$10 was minted in 925‰ fine silver, the SX$20 was minted in silver, and the SX$100 was minted in 900‰ fine gold.

In 1991 the "Sealand rebel government" (see Forcible takeover) minted antiqued silver SX$100 coins.

In 1994 the "Treasures of the Sea" Sealand dollars were minted, with an orca (killer whale) on the reverse. The SX$0.25, SX$0.5, SX$1, SX$2.5 and SX$5 were also introduced. The SX$0.25 was minted in bronze and 999‰ fine silver; the SX$0.5 was minted in cupronickel and silver; the SX$1 and SX$2.5 in bronze, silver and gold; and the SX$5 was minted in gold.

Sealand printed stamps in 1969 and 1970. These were reportedly used to carry mail between the Fort Roughs (Sealand) and Brussels.

Coins

Denomination Obverse Reverse Year Metal Mintage
SX$0.25

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Bronze 1111
SX$0.25

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 .999 Silver 500
SX$0.5

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Cupro-nickel 1111
SX$0.5

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Silver 500
SX$1

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Silver 20000
SX$1

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Gold 1111
SX$2.5

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Bronze 10000
SX$2.5

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Silver 500
SX$2.5

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Gold 1111
SX$5

Sealand Arms

Orca Whale
1994 Gold 2500
SX$10

Princess Joan

Sailing Vessel
1972 .925 Silver 2000
SX$10

Princess Joan

Sealand Arms
1977 .925 Silver 2000
SX$10 Prince Roy Sealand Arms 1977 .925 Silver 2000
SX$20 Princess Joan Sealand Arms 1975 Silver Unknown
SX$100 Prince Roy, Princess Joan and the Principality of Sealand Sealand Arms 1977 .900 Gold 2000
SX$25 Prince Roy, 1967–2012, motto "E Mare Libertas" and the Sealand Arms Principality of Sealand, 25 Dollars, Sealand Arms, 1921 "In Memorium [sic]" 2012 2012 .925 Silver 300

Error Coin

In 1994, fewer than 150 copies of the half dollar were accidentally cut with a scalloped edge instead of the normal reeded one. This is Sealand's only error coin to date.[2] In addition, a mule of a Navy SEALs commemorative medallion was inadvertently struck, by the same private mint that produces Sealand's coins, using the reverse of a Sealand half dollar. 75 of these were struck before the error was noticed.[3]

Rebel Government Coin

A rebel government, referring to itself as the "government in exile", seeking to occupy Sealand, issued a single commemorative coin in 1991.

Denomination Obverse Reverse Year Metal Mintage
SX$100

Prime Minister Seiger (Johannes Seiger, "Sealand Rebel Government")

Sealand Arms
1991 Antiqued Silver Unknown

Stamps

A Sealandic 80 cent stamp.

1969: Explorers

Envelope with Sealandic stamps from the 1977 sailing ships series.
The same envelope with a SX$1 postage stamp.

1970

1970: Ships

1970: Fish

1975: International Woman's Year

1977: Sailing Ships

2010

See also

Notes and references

External links

  1. General information on the Sealand Dollar
  2. Catalogue of Sealand Coins
  3. Church and East tourism information
  4. Images of Sealandic coins and postage stamps (German)
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