Belgium-A 1910 25 Cent Coin-Reign of Albert the 1st-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of a 1910 25 Cent coin issued in Belgium. The metal is cupro-nickel. This design was current from 1910 - 1932 and was used for many of the lower value Belgian coins. The obverse shows a crowned monogram and the reverse a sprig of leaves with the value. the diameter is approx 26mm.

Mauritius-A 1911 George the 5th 2 Cent Coin-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of a George the 5th 2 Cent Coin issued for Mauritius.An island off the East coast of Africa Mauritius was apparently not inhabited when the first discovered by Europeans. First a territory of France it was captured by the British during the Napoleonic Wars and ruled by them until 1968 when the island became independent.

Mexico-A 1963 Mexican Silver Peso-Illustrated

Illustrtated below is the obvese and reverse of the 1963 Mexican Peso. This design was current between 1957 and 1967. The portrait on the obverse is of Miguel Hidalgo, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence and the reverse is the national emblem of Mexico of an eagle attacking a snake. A comparatively large coin at diameter of 34.5mm but gradually debased since the 1914 issue to only 1/15th of its original silver content. After 1967 the Mexican peso contained no silver at all.

Strait Settlements-A 1927 George the 5th 10 Cent Coin-Illustrated

Shown below is the obverse and reverse of a 1927 10 Cent coin issued for the Straits Settlements (see history this blog: 1891 Queen Victoria 1 Cent Coin)

North Borneo-A 1941 George the 6th-1 Cent Coin-Illustrated

Shown below is the obverse and reverse of a 1941 1 Cent coin issued for North Borneo. Established in 1882 and originally a British Protectorate until 1946 when it became a Crown Colony known as British North Borneo. In 1963 it became the State of Sabah in East Malaysia. The obverse shows the Emblem of Norht Borneo.

Straits Settlements-An 1891-Queen Victoria 1 Cent Coin-Illustrated

Below is the obverse and reverse of an 1891 1 Cent coin issued for the Straits Settlements. A group of territories originally established in 1826 and administered by the British East India Company. In 1867 the territories were reformed as a Crown Colony and consisted of the settlements of Penang, Dinding, Malacca, Singapore, Christmas and Cocos Islands and Labuan, an island off the coast of Borneo. With the exceptions of Singapore, Christmas and Cocos Islands the territories of the Straits Settlements are now part of Malaysia.

Malta-A 1977 1 Cent Coin-George Cross-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1977 1 Cent coin issued in Malta. The obverse shows the George Cross awarded to the islanders for their heroism during World War 2.

Sarawak-A 1927 5 Cent Coin-C.V.Brooke-The Last "White Rajah"-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of a 5 Cent coin issued for Sarawak in 1927. The coin was issued during the reign of the last White Rajah of Sarawak (see history this blog: Post Sarawak- 1892 1 Cent Coin).

SARAWAK-An 1892 1 Cent Coin-White Rajah Coin-Charles Brooke-Illustrated

Shown below is the obverse and reverse of a 1 Cent coin issued for Sarawak during the reign of the "White Rajahs". Sarawak was originally part of Brunei when the then Sultan of Brunei gave part of his lands to the first White Rajah, James Brooke. There were three White Rajahs the first was James Brooke who ruled from 1841-1868. The second was Charles Brooke who ruled from 1868-1917, The coin illustrated was issued during his rule. The third and last White Rajah was Charles Vyner-Brooke who ruled from 1917-1946 when the territory was ceded back to Brunei.

New Zealand-The 1993-1 dollar "Round Kiwi" Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Illustrated below is an example of the 1993 issue of the "Round Kiwi" postage stamp. First issued in 1988 in grey-green and subsequently in 1991 (red), 1993 (blue), 1997 (purple), 1999 (blue-purple) all with values of 1 dollar. Round Kiwis are still being issued but in values higher than 1 Dollar.

An Old Postcard from Japan-The Yodogawa Bridge Osaka-Illustrated

Illustrated is the front and back of an old postcard made in Japan. Hard to date exactly but perhaps the 1920's of the wooden Yodogawa Bridge at Osaka. To enlarge the image click on it then backpage to return to the blog.

Great Britain-Some Watermarks Of the Definitive Stamps of 5 British Monarchs-Illustrated

Illustrated below in descending order are illustrations of the watermarks found on the definitive postage stamp issues of five British Monarchs from Edward the 7th to Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. The fist illustration is the "Large Imperial Crown" used on the definitives of Edward the 7th.

The second watermark is the "Royal Cypher" (flowing script) "Simple" and "Royal Cypher" "Multiple" two varieties of watermark used on the definitives of George the 5th. The watermark was a small crown over G v R and this was impressed only vertically in the simple cypher but spread over the surface of the paper in the multiple. The multiple is illustrated below.

The third example from the definitives of Edward the 8th in "Block Cypher" (straight line script) in multiples was a small crown over E 8 R. The only watermark used on Edward the 8th definitives because of his short reign.

The fourth watermark on George the 6th definitives was also a multiple block cypher. A small crown over G V1 R.

The watermark used for Queen Elizabeth the 2nd was a multiple block cypher with a crown over E 2 R. Illustrated below

Jamaica-A QV 1884-2 Penny (Rose) Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the 1884 Queen Victoria Two Penny issue for 1884. The watermark for the issue was a crown above "CA". An illustration of the watermark is below the illustration of the stamp.

British Honduras-1949-A George the 6th Commemorative Set-

Illustrated below is the postage stamp set issued in 1949 to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of St Georges Caye. The battle took place off the coast of what is now Belize between a force of Spaniards from Mexico and a small British naval force assisted by British woodcutters resident in the Belize area and their African slaves. The British claimed victory when the Spanish were driven off.

Canada-An 1888 5 Cent Registered Letter Stamp-Illustrated

Illustrated below is an example of the Registered Letter postage stamp in late 19th Century Canada Post. The stamp was originally issued for use in 1878 in a yellow-green then re-issued in 1888 in blue-green (illustrated here) and again in 1892 in a dull sea-green.

New Zealand-The 18641867-Queen Victoria 2 Penny (Deep-Blue) Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Shown below is an example of the 1864-67 issue of the Queen Victoria Twopenny definitive. The issue has some varieties with shades and two plates used in its production. Known shades are blue, deep-blue,pale blue and brown-blue. The watermark is a large star illustrated below the stamp illustration.

New Zealand-1864-1867-Queen Victoria 1 Shilling (green) Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Below is an example of the 1864-67 1 Shilling postage stamp. Some shade varieties exist a deep-green and yellow-green varieties are known. The deep-green the most highly valued of the three. The watermark was a large star shown in the back illustration of the stamp in the lower left corner.

Canada-A 1934 Commemorative Postage Stamp-The 4th Centenary of the Discovery of Canada-Illustrated

Illustrated below is an example of the 1934 stamp issue commemorating the 4th Centenary of the discovery of Canada.

Newfoundland-A Partial Set of the 1897-1918 "Royal Family" Postage Stamp Definitives-Illustrated

Shown below is a partial set of the 1897 Royal Family definitives issued between 1897 and 1918. The set
had values from 1 Half Cent to 5 Cents each with a portrait of the Victorian Royal Family. The Half Cent showed Edward as a small child (later Edward the 8th), Queen Victoria, Edward as Prince of Wales (later Edward the 7th), Alexandra as Princess of Wales (later Queen), Mary as duchess of York (later Queen) and George as the Duke of York (later George the 5th)

Biafra-The 1968-69 Biafran 1 Pound Banknote-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1968-69 1 Pound banknote. The Republic of Biafra seceded from Nigeria in 1967 and fought a war of independence from 1967 to 1970 when it was reabsorbed into Nigeria. During the short life of the Biafran State banknotes were printed for use within its borders.