Coins of Micronesia

coinmad

Hello,

Saw some coins from "Micronesia" on eBay. Any idea who has issued them ?? Are these "legal" coins ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45143&item=3956584608&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

ajaan

Linkified

AuldFartte

Legit bimetallic coins, alright.

I would not buy from a seller in Israel, though.
Most problem coins (fakes, etc.) come from Asian countries, but
I've heard of a few problems with some Israeli deals, too.

coinmad

Hi,

Is there a way to figure out they are legit ? With a similar issue with the Northern Mariana islands coin issued last yr, not sure how to determine if this is really legit

AuldFartte

I don't see them in my Krause guide, but they're so new that they probably won't show up there until next year's edition.

Maybe try to find a website (google it) for Micronesia coins and see what it has to say. I know Micronesia is a legit country ... they did participate in the last Olympics

elverno

Federated States of Micronesia I think. Used to be part of the US Trust Territory.

Askari

Micronesia was formerly a UN Trust Territory administered by the US. It encompasses much of what were once known as the Caroline Islands. It is independent now, but uses US currency. Those like the one you linked to are usually "non-circulating legal tender" (NCLT) made for sale to collectors to raise revenue -- a practice long used (and abused) by the micro-states in that region. I have not seen this one before and was not aware that FSM was issuing coinage at all.

I looked at the FSM's website and learned Urusemal is the current president of the country. I could find nothing on release of a coin and I have to wonder if maybe it isn't a political token.

Shipcoin

<<<I would not buy from a seller in Israel, though. >>>--AuldFartte, fortunatelly I knew that dealer personally! Very honest man (you can look his feedback, BTW) during last 3 years I have bought from him many of my ship coins locally, not via eBay, always was very satisfied. Besides that, he is one of the Directors of some of local coin clubs and not only the dealer, but also a serious collector, as most of us here!

If I'n not mistaken Theboz have bought from him some African BBL coin and may be few others. As for the Micronesian coinage, I have seen these items also in some otherb stores, their mintage are usually very low-about 500-5000 pieces something like that and if I'm not mistaken these coins are minted for coin collectors, sure NCLT coins , like comms from Marshall Islands, BTW they have the common(for Micronesia and Marsh Isl) Embassador in UN . As far as I know these items aren't tokens, they are COINS!

As for the source of these coins, as far as I know it isn't from Asia, but from Belgium

coinmad

Thanks for the info guys !