Coins and postage stamps of Sealand

Early Sealandic stamps

The Principality of Sealand, a micronation founded on a former World War II fort in the North Sea, has issued a number of coins and stamps for collectors. These coins and stamps are denominated in "Sealand dollars" (SX$). Sealand coins can be considered souvenirs only or "rounds" since they do not circulate anywhere and are not accepted as currency by any nation.^[1]

History[]

Series of 1994

Sealand began commissioning coins in 1972. The first to be minted was a SX$10 coin with a mintage of 2000. More coins were minted in 1975 and 1977, introducing the SX$20 and SX$100 coins. The SX$10 was minted in 925‰ fine silver, the SX$20 was minted in silver, and the SX$100 was minted in 900‰ fine gold.

In 1991 the "Sealand rebel government" (see Forcible takeover) minted antiqued silver SX$100 coins.

In 1994 the "Treasures of the Sea" Sealand dollars were minted, with an orca (killer whale) on the reverse. The SX$0.25, SX$0.5, SX$1, SX$2.5 and SX$5 were also introduced. The SX$0.25 was minted in bronze and 999‰ fine silver; the SX$0.5 was minted in cupronickel and silver; the SX$1 and SX$2.5 in bronze, silver and gold; and the SX$5 was minted in gold.

Sealand printed stamps in 1969 and 1970.

In 2020, a Sealand stamp was sent into space.^[2]

Coins[]

Error coin[]

In 1994, fewer than 150 copies of the half dollar were accidentally cut with a scalloped edge instead of the normal reeded one. This is Sealand's only error coin to date.^[3] In addition, a mule of a Navy SEALs commemorative medallion was inadvertently struck, by the same private mint that produces Sealand's coins, using the reverse of a Sealandic half dollar. 75 of these were struck before the error was noticed.^[4]

Rebel government coin[]

A rebel government, referring to itself as the "Sealand government in exile", seeking to occupy Sealand, issued a single commemorative coin in 1992.^{[citation needed]}

Stamps[]

A Sealandic 80 cent stamp issued in 1977

1969: Explorers[]

Envelope with Sealandic stamps from the 1970 sailing ships series

The same envelope with a SX$1 miniature sheet (1970)

• Vasco da Gama 1497 – 2c (later 10c)
• Christopher Columbus 1492 – 3c (later 10c)
• Sir Walter Raleigh 1584 – 5c (later 5c)
• Sir Francis Drake 1588 – 6c (later 10c)
• Captain James Cook 1770 – 14c (later 10c)
• Ferdinand Magellan 1519 – 20c (later 20c)
• Sir Martin Frobisher 1578 – 50c (later 10c)

1970[]

• Ship – SX$1
• Ships – SX$1
• Edward Teach – SX$1
• Squid – SX$1

1970: Ships[]

• Ships

1970: Fish[]

• Fish

1975: International Woman's Year[]

• Africa – 10c
• Australia – 20c
• Europe – 30c
• Asia – 50c
• America – 90c
• Joan I – SX$1

1977: Sailing ships[]

• Ship of Ferdinand Magellan 1519 – 10c
• Ship of Vasco da Gama 1497 – 20c
• Ship of Christopher Columbus 1492 – 30c
• Ship of Captain James Cook 1770 – 40c
• Ship of Sir Walter Raleigh 1584 – 50c
• Ship of Sir Martin Frobisher 1578 – 60c
• Ship of Sir Francis Drake 1588 – 70c
• Sealandic Coat of Arms – 80c
• Roy of Sealand – 90c
• Joan of Sealand – SX$1

2010[]

• Green stamp $3.50
• Red stamp $1.50
• Blue stamp "Inland"^[5]

See also[]

• Cinderella stamp
• List of micronation currencies

Notes and references[]

External links[]

• General information on the Sealand Dollar
• Catalogue of Sealand Coins
• Church and East tourism information
• Images of Sealandic coins and postage stamps (in German)