Coin of the Week: 1979 Isle of Man 10 Pence

Obverse (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

Reverse (Image: Triskelion)

The Isle of Man (also known as Mann) is a British Crown Dependency located between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. As an independent state, the Isle of Man has its own taxes, coins, stamps and parliament. The English monarchy does not rule the island as king or queen, but rather as "Lord of Man". More about this very interesting island and its history can be read here.

Isle of Man currency is equivalent to the British Pound sterling. As a possession of the British Crown, the obverse of each coin depicts an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The 10 Pence coin has the national emblem, the triskelion, on the reverse. The triskelion is also known as "The Three Legs of Man" and was first used by King Alexander III of Scotland (one of the "Kings of Man") in his coat of arms. The symbol is believed to have come from a similar Sicilian symbol. More about various triskelions can be read here.

I'd like to conclude on a personal note. I really enjoy researching and posting the history of the countries and images on my coins. If anyone would like to send me pictures of coins they have, I'd be happy to do a post about them as well! Just send me a comment below, and we can take the conversation "off line".

 

Coin of the Week: 1979 San Marino 10 Lire

Obverse (Image: Sammarinese coat-of-arms)

Reverse (Image: Crypt of Saint Marinus)

San Marino, the oldest republic in the world, covers an area of about 24 square miles, has an estimated population of a little more than 30,000 and is completely surrounded by Italy. From the 1860s until 2002, San Marino's currency was the lira, equivalent to the Italian lira. Since 2002, San Marino has the Euro, although it is not a member of the European Union.

The 10-lire coin has a depiction of the Sammarinese coat-of-arms on the obverse and one of the crypt of Saint Marinus, the founder of San Marino, on the reverse. The coat-of-arms consists of a shield with three towers on three peaks. The shield is flanked by a wreath, and a crown is on top. A scroll with the word "Libertas" (liberty) completes the coat-of-arms.

According to tradition, Saint Marinus escaped to Italy to avoid anti-Christian persecution. He then built a small church on Monte Titano (Mount Titan), the highest peak in what is now Saint Marino. The city state was officially founded on September 3rd in the year 301.