Music Video: Beach Prelude - Playmobil

Every once in a while, I'll post a music video that I just finished making. Since I have to find time between work, family, my new venture (which I'll mention in a separate post) and other hobbies (coins!), it usually takes me a few months to record the song and create the video.

A little about this video: I love Playmobil! I played with them growing up and now with my kids. And they're great to use in stop motion movies.

I switched to a MacBook at the end of 2010 to make it easier to record my pieces and create better videos. A separate page will be up soon for anyone interested in knowing what equipment I use. You can see other videos on my YouTube page.

Now to the video - enjoy!

 

Coin of the Week: 1964 Bermuda Crown

Obverse (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

Reverse (Image: Coat of Arms)

 

The obverse features the bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. On the outer periphery are the words “DEI GRATIA REGINA” (By the Grace of God, Queen), and “ELIZABETH II”. The reverse features the coat of arms of Bermuda. The coat of arms depicts a lion holding a shield that has a depiction of a wrecked ship upon it. The lion is a symbol of England and alludes to Bermuda's relationship with that country. The wrecked ship is the Sea Venture, the flagship of the Virginia Company. The ship was deliberately driven on to the reefs of Bermuda, by Admiral Sir George Somers, in 1609, to prevent it from foundering in a storm. All aboard survived, resulting in the settlement of the Island.  The Bermudan motto QUO FATA FERUNT (Whither the Fates Carry [Us]) is on a scroll below, while above is the inscription ONE BERMUDA CROWN.

 

1964 was the last official Crown issued. By February of 1970 Bermuda converted from the “Pound Sterling” currency standard to the “Dollar” as their currency standard. Prior to 1964, the only other crown issued was the 1959 350th Colony Founding Anniversary coin. 

 

 

Coin of the Week: 1987 Belgian 5 ECU

Front (Image: Charles V)  

Back (Inscription: 5 Ecu, Belgique, Belgien, België)

Before deciding on the Euro as the denomination for the new European currency, the "ECU" was proposed, and some ECU coins were struck. Because the initials for the European Currency Unit (E.C.U.) formed the acronym ECU, this was a rather neat name for the new unit. Belgium issued a number of different ECU denominations on various occasions. This 5 ECU coin was issued in 1987 and commemorates Charles V and the 30th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Charles V was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 to 1556. The Treaty of Rome (1957) established the European Economic Community.

Coin of the Week: 1969 Bahamas 15-Cent Piece

Front (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

Back (Image: Hibiscus Flower)

Description: This coin (no longer minted) is interesting because of its four-sided shape and 15-cent value. The Bahamas, like the US, also has 1-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent and 25-cent pieces. The Bahamas were a colony of Great Britain but were granted internal self-government in 1964 and complete independence in 1973. The islands are still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and the first full set of Bahamian coinage was minted in 1966. Coins of the Bahamas portray island motifs, with the 15-cent piece showing a hibiscus flower on one side and Queen Elizabeth II on the other. All other coins at that time depicted the Bahamian coat-of-arms. Today, the 15-cent piece also shows the coat-of-arms.

 

1982 Fiji 50-Cent Piece

Front (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

Back (Image: Catamarran)

Description: This coin (still in circulation) is interesting due to its 12-sided shape. As a member of the British Commonwealth (colony from 1874 to 1970), all Fijian coins feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse on this as well as other Fijian coins depict native artifacts. The 50-cent piece shows a native sailing ship, the catamarran. Fiji's coins are minted in Australia, Great Britain and Singapore.

1958 Mexican Peso

My first attempt at loading a coin and providing some details:

Front (Image of Jose Morelos) Tail (Inscription: Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Un Peso)

Description:

This 1958 Mexican Peso has the image of Jose Morelos (1765-1815). He joined Mexico's revolutionary movement against Spain and took command on July 31, 1811. He was executed by the Spanish on December 22, 1815, but the revolution was so strong by then that Mexico became an independent nation in 1821.

 

An Introduction

There are three things that have always fascinated me: coins, music and American home plans.

 

I guess the coins led me to a career in finance…. In my free time, I still write songs and over the past few years have started posting music videos. Unfortunately, home plans have been laid on the back burner (really really far back).

 

Now I'd like to share images and details of my coins and some of my favorite home-made music videos. Hope you enjoy the site.