Čuhaj - Unusual world coins: companion volume to standard catalog of world coins

6th Edition

George S. Cuhaj

Editor

Thomas Michael

Market Analyst

Deborah McCue

Database Specialist

Kay Sanders

Editorial Assistan

Welcome to the greatly expanded 6th edition of Unusual World Coins. With over 150 pages added, over 1,250 new images and as many as 700 new issues this new edition of the classic catalog from the numismatic fringe leaps into the 21st century in a big way.

While the Standard Catalog of World Coins series offers users information and values for circulating and commemorative coins produced under the realm of recognized government authority Unusual World Coins strives to give the user a glimpse into the murkier side of non-official coin issues from around the world. Though the purpose in producing many of the pieces you will find in Unusual World Coins has changed over the years, the end result is virtually always the same confusion for coin collectors. Sometimes collectors come across items that look like coins, but cant be found in standard references like the SCWC. What then? Turn to UWC.

It is interesting to note that classic 19th century pieces like the 1848 2 Francs of Moresnet were produced for the same political purposes as the 20th and 21st century coins currently being struck for Nord and Padania. Everyone wants freedom.

Some however, look towards unity. Take the United Transnational Republic 2002 Payola coins or the Amero designed for the Union of North America for instance and compare them to the 1948 Utopia A World United Dollars. Others hope to improve the world with their coins, as is the case with the over 50 new issues you will find in our new section on West African Tribal coinage, whose revenues benefit the Tribal families they honor.

While others just want a place of their own. Atlantis or Sgarabhaigh for instance or perhaps New Island created out of the fertile imaginations of those looking for something better. But some UWC coin producers are only looking to lay claim, or to establish a collectible for those areas that formerly lacked coins for us to collect. In this 6th edition, many of these new issuing entities have been added such as: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Redonda, Galapagos Islands, the various Westartica Territories and North Cyprus to name just a few.

And for those who are not new to UWC, those who may be looking to expand their collections in areas already explored, note that many countries in this 6th edition have expanded in marvelous ways. Take some time to review Cabinda, Palestine, Greenland, Italy, Occussi-Ambeno, Middle Earth, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia or Montenegro among many others.

No doubt, our little UWC catalog has grown as the market demand for Unusual World Coins of all types has expanded and for those interested in the improved value of their collections this may be the best news of all. Values have increased for all but the most common coins in the Unusual World Coin market. In classic fantasy areas such as China, Germany and India prices have climbed to new peaks and even those formerly thought to be lowly, such as Gold Reef City tokens or those types created purely for fun, such as Purple Shaftieuland are now becoming ardently sought and commanding much higher values.

The Unusual World Coin has finally come into its own and those of us who love this field are enjoying the warmth of the sun on our dark little corner of numismatics.

Best Wishes,

Thomas Michael & George S. Cuhaj