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Here’s a Pineapple on Pizza Topic: Is This a Coin or Not?

Does being made of metal and having a legal face value automatically make something a coin? Or does it need to be more traditionally coin like to qualify? Mints around the world are pushing the limits of “coins”. Ultimately, what is a coin? [Pictured: Canada 50¢ 1/10 ozt silver flex/breakaway bar]

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Comments

  • oldglorycoinsoldglorycoins Posts: 234 ✭✭✭

    Strange comparison, also should be in the world coin forum

  • DesertCoinDesertCoin Posts: 285 ✭✭✭

    @oldglorycoins said:
    Strange comparison, also should be in the world coin forum

    Mostly interested in the U.S. collectors perspective.

    “Land of the free because of the brave”
    “Saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone”
    In Deo solo confidimus


    Member since 2026
    Successful BST transactions with: Ted 1, JWP, bigjpst, Vetter, nickelsciolist,
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 44,949 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd say that "50 Cents" denomination on there makes this a coin.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 17,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Spanish cobs came in all shapes, and Aruba has had square coins for years.

    This Canadian thing is quite tame compared to other oddball coins, such as Coke cap and guitar designs.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    NCLT---Non-Circulating Legal Tender coin not unlike commemorative coins or other bullion coins.

    This.

    It's NCLT but it's a coin.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBK said:
    Spanish cobs came in all shapes, and Aruba has had square coins for years.

    This Canadian thing is quite tame compared to other oddball coins, such as Coke cap and guitar designs.

    Klippe coins were square, as well, and are hundreds of years old.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 11, 2026 2:24AM

    Coins also don't need to be metal. Plastic, ivory and other materials have also been used. Porcelain notgeld exists, though technically tokens.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I believe square coins were unpopular due to pointy edges...can you imagine carrying a "square" or maybe a "star" coin in your pocket?
    Although the majority of coins are round and flat, governments are not restricted by shape. The coin is assigned a value, made legal tender, and there you go. The real question: Is there a requirement to be made from metal? There are plastic tokens and chips, but those are not actually coins, may have value but not a legal tender value. Then the wooden nickel...not really a coin, just a novelty. And metal tokens do not have an assigned tender value.

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 44,949 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Onastone said:
    I believe square coins were unpopular due to pointy edges...can you imagine carrying a "square" or maybe a "star" coin in your pocket?
    Although the majority of coins are round and flat, governments are not restricted by shape. The coin is assigned a value, made legal tender, and there you go. The real question: Is there a requirement to be made from metal? There are plastic tokens and chips, but those are not actually coins, may have value but not a legal tender value. Then the wooden nickel...not really a coin, just a novelty. And metal tokens do not have an assigned tender value.

    That one at least could be used as a weapon (shuriken/throwing star) if somebody mugged you and ran off with your wallet.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Onastone said:
    I believe square coins were unpopular due to pointy edges...can you imagine carrying a "square" or maybe a "star" coin in your pocket?
    Although the majority of coins are round and flat, governments are not restricted by shape. The coin is assigned a value, made legal tender, and there you go. The real question: Is there a requirement to be made from metal? There are plastic tokens and chips, but those are not actually coins, may have value but not a legal tender value. Then the wooden nickel...not really a coin, just a novelty. And metal tokens do not have an assigned tender value.

    Transnistria used plastic coins in commerce.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 17,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Also "made of metal and having a legal face value":

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 31,416 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If anything its interesting

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 13,088 ✭✭✭✭✭


  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,684 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's more of an "is a hot dog a sandwich" question. The OP item gets less of an eye roll than most of the NCLT BS-coins that litter the market, for what it's worth.

  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    Transnistria used plastic coins in commerce.

    I had to look this one up...very interesting!!

  • SapyxSapyx Posts: 2,513 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 11, 2026 6:48PM

    To qualify as a coin, an object has to be:
    - Issued by a recognized government that has constitutional authority to issue its own coins.
    - Have a legal tender value and/or assigned face value.
    - Be made of something durable such as metal, or be in some other form that disqualifies it from being classified as "paper money".

    Note that "shape" or even "flatness" isn't part of this definition, as many countries have in the past issued for circulation coins that were not round, and coins that were not flat, and everyone accepts those as "coins". So yes, under this definition, if a country slapped stickers on apples and declared those apples to be legal tender, then those apples would qualify as "coins" (except perhaps for that "durable" part; bananas would definitely not qualify as coins because they're much less durable).

    And yes, it does mean accepting as "coins" the multitude of gimmicky, oddball artifacts that modern corporatized mints like to churn out to meet perceived demand. Such as the giant 100 gram silver balls shaped like the Death Star from Star Wars.

    I would point out that just because it's classified as a "coin", doesn't mean we have to like them. Or collect them. It just means that, if you were to look for them in a "coin catalogue", you would find them listed there.

    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
    Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"

    Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice. B)
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,848 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For jm...

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    For jm...

    Still my favorite NCLT. LOL

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,848 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've thought about getting one, I like the black holder. Maybe one of these days...

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    I've thought about getting one, I like the black holder. Maybe one of these days..

    I've thought about getting the whole set

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,848 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I didn't know there were others.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    I didn't know there were others.

    They came in a soda machine box. Lol

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 13,088 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @MasonG said:
    For jm...

    Still my favorite NCLT. LOL

    I thought this was your favorite coin.


  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hmmm. Didn't know England had Ninjas.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • OP appears to be a coin, though it's legal status seems to be a grey area.

    Official PCGS account of:

    www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jesbroken said:
    Hmmm. Didn't know England had Ninjas.
    Jim

    It's Niue, not UK.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 40,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 12, 2026 6:31AM

    @TallahasseeCoinClub said:
    OP appears to be a coin, though it's legal status seems to be a grey area.

    What's the grey area? If it's not an RCM product, it's not a coin, it's a token. If it is an RCM product, it's a coin. It appears to be an RCM product.

    https://en.numista.com/185845

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • CregCreg Posts: 1,486 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 12, 2026 6:56AM

    I’m fond of (comfortable after dozens of years with) the logo, colors, marketing. I like these:
    The anniversary tokens are flashy.

    Coca-Cola collectibles were my first big flip in the eighties. Twenty years we hit closed Appalachian stores hard for signs and other advertising. I blew it all in Iberia in three months. I had so much coke that I continue to find pieces that escaped the purge.
    My elders called cokes, soft drinks, soda…whatever ”dope.” They hated soda. They judged you more harshly than if you drank alcohol.

  • Morgan13Morgan13 Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Back when a penny meant something.
    I doubt these circulated but could have if the owner chose to.
    Penny on one side and a mirror on the other. Just a side collection I have started. The indian Penny's come with different dates. Id like to see if in time I can achieve consecutive dates.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,643 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm not usually one for NCLT (especially the ones that aren't traditional circular discs), but as a kid that grew up with lots of lizards and amphibians (including a beloved gecko), when I found out this existed, I had to buy one:


    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research

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