World Coin Photo Gallery

Afghanistan - 250 Afghanis Afghanistan is an ancient country with a long history, too long for us to attempt to recount briefly here. It sits astride strategic trade routes, which probably account for the turbulence of its history dating back to its invasion by Darius the Great. It has been in the world news in recent years. We show one of the last coins from the short-lived Republic which lasted from 1973 to 1978, showing a snow leopard on its reverse. Since decimalisation in 1929 under Muhammed Nadir Shah, the main Afghan denomination has been the Afghani, with 100 Puls = 1 Afghani, and 20 Afghanis = 1 Amani. In common with many moslem countries, there are usually no portraits on the coins, and they are often indecypherable to most westerners. In recent years a number of commemorative issues has been produced which also have inscriptions in English.
Albania - Gold 100 Franga Ari Ahmet Zogu became President in 1925, when the country was consolidated into the Principality of Albania. After ruling Albania for a few years, in 1928 he declared himself King Zog I, the first Albanian monarch since Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbej. Our featured coin is a 1927 gold 100 Franga Ari while still President.
Alderney - Millennium £5 Alderney only issued its own coins for the first time in 1989. Our photo shows a millennium £5 crown.
Andorra - 1994 Silver 10 Diners Andorra used French and Spanish coins for most of its existence, and we are only aware of coins issued in its own name since 1982. Our featured coin is a silver proof 10 Diners commemorating Andorran entry into membership of the UN in 1993.
Anguilla - 1969 Gold $10 Despite its idyllic location, Anguilla has had a disturbed history until very recently. A revolt in 1967 against administration under St. Kitts, led to it becoming a self governing British dependent territory in stages by 1976. Our featured coin is one of the first official issues of Anguillan coins, although it uses East Caribbean States coins in circulation.
Armenia - Millennium 2000 Drams The first nation to formally adopt Christianity in the 4th century, Armenia has variously been independent or under Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, Ottoman, Russian and USSR control. In 1991, it became an independent republic, and also a member of the C.I.S. The featured coin was issued as part of a cooperative venture between many countries to create a universal millennium coin collection.
Ascension Island - Silver 25 Pence Ascension Island was discovered on Ascension Day 1501 by Joao da Nova, but was never occupied until 1815. Its population is just over 1,000. The first coins issued were in 1978. Our photos show a 25 pence silver proof crown issued for the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Princess Diana in 1981.
Australia - Gold Sovereign Sydney mint sovereigns such as that shown were among the first coin types to bear the word "Australia", and were issued form 1855 to 1870. It was not until 1911 that Australia got its own coinage.
Austria - Maria Theresa Thaler Our photograph shows Austria's, possibly the world's, most famous coin. Although Empress Maria Theresa reigned from 1740 to 1780, more of these thalers have been struck since her death than during her lifetime, all bearing the same date 1780, and are still produced today.
Austrian Netherlands - 1756 Maria Theresa Gold Sovereign
Azerbaijan - 50 Manat - Mohammed Fuzuli The Republic of Azerbaijan issued its first coins in 1992, having only recently become independent of the USSR. In 1996 it issued a 50 Manat coin to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Mohammed Fuzuli. Fuzuli was a great poet, and was recognised by UNESCO who named 1994 as "Fuzuli Year", quite why it took Azerbaijan 2 years after this to issue a coin, we do not know. Also Fuzuli was born in Iraq, his parents were Azerbaijani. One side of the coins shows a portrait of Fuzuli, or Fusuli as the Royal Mint call him; the other side shows a scene from one of his poems, Leili ve Medjnun.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, & Azores to Follow
We are still working on this section, and will be adding images of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, & the Azores coins later.

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You may wish to visit some of our other pages:
Royal Portrait Gallery on British Coins
Photo Gallery of Current British Coins
Value of my Coin. What's it Worth?
Coin Information

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