Nikole Stewart
Just because a nation no longer exists, doesn’t mean there aren’t memories of it circulating. For instance, several rare and interesting coins from dead nations are still around that coin collectors still try to get their hands on. Let’s dive into some interesting coins from nations that no longer exist, yet still have their history told with stunning coins.
5. Giray Khans of Crimea
The House of Giray, or the Girays, was a Genghisid Turkic dynasty that reigned in the Khanate of Crimea from its formation in 1431 until its downfall in 1783. Being on the top list of interesting and rare coins from dead nations, the dynasty has copper pieces called beshlik, which means five in Turkish.
4. French-Indochina
Officially known as the Indochinese Union, later the Indochinese Federation, the group consisted of French dependent territories in Southeast Asia from 1887 to 1954. Consisting of some rare coins from dead nations, French-Indochina coins are stunning, especially their Sapeques, which were coins that were equal to one-fifth of a cent with an interesting design.
3. State of Katanga
The State of Katanga, or Republic of Katanga, seceded from Congo in 1960 but was forcibly re-integrated in 1963. The coin, called a franc, shows the Katanga Cross, a form of copper ingot that was used as money in the areas in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Republic of Biafra
The Republic of Biafra was a partially recognized state in West Africa that declared independence from Nigeria. The nation existed from 1967 to 1970, and was predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group. Due to ethnic tensions, political instability, and military conflict, the nation fell, but left behind rare coins, like this 1969 1-pound coin worth over $500.
1. United Belgian States
Another on the list of coins from dead nations is from the United Belgian States, a short-lived confederal republic in the Southern Netherlands. From January to December 1790, the nation experienced an unsuccessful revolt against the Habsburg Emperor, Joseph II. The coins feature the Brabant lion and hands emerging from clouds, shaking with 11 arrows behind for the eleven states that broke away from Austrian rule.