Thursday, 31 December 2020

1609) Coca Cola, Republic of Fiji: Gold $50 (50 Dollars) and Silver $1 (One Dollar) Commemorative Collector Coins issued by the Perth Mint, Australia for the Republic of Fiji: Year of Coin issue: 2018:

1609) Coca Cola, Republic of Fiji: Gold $50 (50 Dollars) and Silver $1 (One Dollar) Commemorative Collector Coins issued by the Perth Mint, Australia for the Republic of Fiji: Year of Coin issue: 2018:

When one sees it, one can easily identify it - the radiant red background, the curiously cursive typeface and the curvaceous contour bottle.

No matter where one is in the world or what language one speaks, it all means cold liquid refreshment is available.

Tracing its establishment to the 19th Century, popularised in the 20th Century, Coca Cola or Coke has been cemented as a global phenomenon in the 21st Century. It is the quintessential cold drink of choice for many around the world.

Frank M. Robinson, business partner of Coca Cola creator Dr. John S. Pemberton, created both the drink's name and its script font in the late 1800s.  Now over one and a quarter century later, this world famous design has been recreated on these coins by Fiji set against a recognisable red field.

Unforgettable advertisements from the past are still found in many building walls or hanging in provision/general stores. "Buy the world a Coke" or "Have a Coke and smile" or "catch the wave" because "Coke is it!!", decades of unique commercials with catchy jingles still echo present day.

I remember that when India had banned the use of Coca Cola, we used to go across the Nepal Border to have our fill of the refreshing cold drink and "smuggle" a few, as the local variant was not upto the class. There is an interesting story about the local Indian substitute -" Double seven" (or 77) as the local variant was introduced in the year 1977.

One of our State Bank of India colleagues was posted to a district level branch on probation/training. Thirsty & dehydrated in the scorching summer heat, he asked a local shop if they had a cold drink. He was turned away empty handed as the provision store/stall had no idea what a "cold drink" meant. As he was leaving thirsty, a little fellow called out behind him saying - "Cold drink nahin hai sahab, lekin dui saat hai" (meaning, we do not have a cold drink, but we have a Double Seven"), which somewhat saved him from dehydration. 

The Commemorative Coin:

The Reverse of this uniquely Designed Coin features the Coca Cola script logo created by Frank M. Robinson in the late 1800s, encircled by a spectacular ruffled bottle cap edge design.

The Obverse of this uniquely designed underside surface of the coin's cap shape is adorned with the Coat of Arms for the Republic of Fiji.

The Gold Variant:


An image of the 50 Dollars Gold Coin - Obverse and Reverse, together-with the Presentation Box.
The Obverse of the $50 (Fifty Dollars) Gold Coin depicts the Republic of Fiji Coat of Arms. The inscriptions are - FIJI 2018", 50 Dollars", .999 Fine Gold".


The Reverse of the $50 (Fifty Dollars) Gold Coin features the logo of "Coca Cola" The edges are in the shape of a Coca-Cola bottle Cap.

The specifications of this coin are:

Country of issue: Republic of Fiji; Denomination: $50 (50 Fiji Dollars - FJD); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 31.107 grams; Diameter/Size: 41.0 mm; Coin Shape: Bottle crown Cap; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Orientation: Up Down alignment; Year of issue: 2018.

The Presentation Case/Box

The Silver Variant:



The Silver Coin Variant has been issued in the denomination of $1 (One Dollar).

The specifications of the Silver Variant ar:

Country of issue: Republic of Fiji; Denomination: $1(1 Fiji Dollar - FJD); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 6.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.6 mm; Coin Shape: Bottle Crown Cap; Mint: Perth Mint Australia; Orientation: Up Down; Year: 2018

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Wednesday, 30 December 2020

1608) The Shag Harbour Incident, Canada: The second $20 Silver Proof Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Canada's Unexplained Phenomena", issued by the Royal Canadian Mint recalling the unexplained phenomenon: Year of Coin issue: 2019:

1608) The Shag Harbour Incident, Canada: The second $20 Silver Proof Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Canada's Unexplained Phenomena", issued by the Royal Canadian Mint recalling the unexplained phenomenon: Year of Coin issue: 2019:

The second UFO Coin in the Royal Canadian Mint's "Unexplained Phenomena Coin Series" depicts a widely witnessed event that took place in 1967.

The vertical orientation Coin design conveys a feeling of bewilderment as four mysterious lights crash into the waters off Shag Harbour, N.S.

This coin focusses on an event that many people have no knowledge about or have faint recollection of it.  The Shag Harbour incident is one of the best government documented UFO crashes - a mystery that still remains unexplained to the present day.

The UFO incident in Shag Harbour (1967):

At first, the unidentified object was not referred to as a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object). On 04.10.1967, an eye-witness noticed the lights, while driving with friends and the measurement of the craft was estimated to be around 60 feet in diameter. When the Flying Object came crashing down into the sea, a flash of light and a thunderous sound led some witnesses to believe that a plane crash had just occurred.

Three Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, including one who had also seen the lights, arrived at the impact site to find the strange craft glowing in the water less than a kilometre from the shore.

Officials contacted the Rescue Coordination Centre in Hallifax to find out if an aircraft had gone missing - but there were no such reports and all aircraft were accounted for. 

Coast Guard and Military vessels also arrived at the scene, but they were too late, as the lights had already vanished and only the sparkling yellow foam remained on the surface. 

The search for a downed craft continued into the early morning hours, but there was no evidence of debris. A diving team of the Royal Canadian Navy also combed the sea-bed but came up empty-handed. After no trace of the crashed craft was found, the search was called off on 9.10.1967.

What crashed into the water? Was it a top-secret military aircraft or an Alien Star ship? Even today, the Shag Harbour incident remains a nystery and one of the best documented encounters with an Unidentified Flying Object.

Interesting tit-bits:

- Commercial pilots were the first to spot the mysterious lights in the evening sky on 04.10.1967 as they approached Yarmouth, N.S. Sightings were also reported in Halifax.

- Seven witnesses notified the RCMP about the strange flashing lights or a possible plane crash. In fact, it was the authorities and not the witnesses, who first referred to the case  as a UFO incident.

 - In 2006, the Shag Harbour Incident Society (SHIS) was established to chronicling the 1967 incident.

The Commemorative Coin:


The Reverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars) Silver Coin with a vertical orientation depicts an artist's rendering of the Shag Harbour Incident.

The colourful vertical image shows the UFO encounter from a witness' perspective, with a view from a fishing vessel off the Southern coast of Nova Scotia.

Three fishermen look up at the night sky, where black light technology adds a glow to the mysterious craft and its flashing lights as the object crashes intothe Gulf of Maine.

The Obverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars) Silver Coin with a vertical orientation, depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right.

The inscriptions are- "ELIZABETH II. 2019. D.G. REGINA. 20 DOLLARS". 

The specification of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Canada; Coin Series Theme: Canada's Unexplained Phenomena Coin Series; Coin Theme: The Shag Harbour Incident; Denomination: $20 (Twenty Canadian Dollars); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.107 grams; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint; Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Diameter/Size: 49.80 mm x 28.60 mm; Edge: Plain; Presentation Box: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes, Serialised; Designer: Pandora Young; Year of Coin issue: 2019; Special features: Black flashlight activated glow-in-the-dark.

The Presentation Box.







For other interesting posts on the Coins and Banknotes of Canada, please visit the following links:











30) Bill Reid (1920-1998), Haida Artist, Canada: 100th Anniversary (1920-2020) of the Birth of the Haida Artist IIluwas, known as Bill Reid: Commemorative $2, $1, 20 Cents, 10 Cents & 5 Cents Coins & $200 (Gold) Coins issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Yeat: 2020

31) North-west Territories, Canada: 150th Anniversary (1870-2020): A $30 (Thirty Canadian Dollars) Silver Proof Coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, celebrates the milestone: Year of Coin issue: 2020

32) An "Inuk" and a Quilliq", Canada: New 1/20 Ounce $10 Coins minted in Arctic Gold by the Royal Canadian Mint symbolise cultural diversity in Canada and features deeply symbolic elements that are important expressions of Inuit identity: Year of Coin issue: 2020





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Tuesday, 29 December 2020

1607) Domestic Dogs , Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Express Post (KEP) has issued a set of Three stamps featuring Dalmation, Alaskan Malamute and Akita Inu Dog Breeds: Date of Stamp Set issue: 22.12.2020:

1607) Domestic Dogs , Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Express Post (KEP) has issued a set of Three stamps featuring Dalmation, Alaskan Malamute and Akita Inu Dog Breeds: Date of Stamp Set issue: 22.12.2020:

The First Day Cover (FDC) is titled "Domestic Dogs". The three stamps issued in the Set featuring a Dalmatian (50 KGS), Alaskan Malamute (100 KGS) and an Akita Itu (150 KGS) are affixed at top right.

At left is seen a German Shepherd/Alsatian.

The special Cancellation Handstamp features the three dog breeds in the centre. The Cancellation is of Bishkek Post Office and  is inscribed "KYRGYZ EXPRESS POST". The cancellation Date is - "22.12.2020".

The Technical Details of this Stamp issue are:

Issue Date: 22.12.2020

Designers: Daria Maier, Yuri Kardashenko

Process: Offset Lithography

Stamp Size: 34.00 х 34.00 mm.

Printer: “Nova Imprim” (Chișinău, Moldova).

Stamp Values: 50 KGS, 100 KGS and 150 KGS

About Domestic Dogs:

Since ancient times dogs have lived next to people, being their protectors, helpers and companions.

The new series of KEP postage stamps includes 3 miniatures depicting the following breeds of domestic dogs: Dalmatian, Alaskan Malamute and Akita Inu:

A Miniature Sheet (MS) features the three stamps issued in the set and an Alsatian/German Shepherd dog.
              
The three Stamps issued in the Set feature a Dalmatian (50 KGS), an Alaskan Malamute (100 KGS) and an Akita Inu (150 KGS).

Dalmatian is a Croatian dog breed whose name comes from Dalmatia, a historic region of the Balkan Peninsula. Dalmatians are medium-sized, strong and active dogs.

Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Its name comes from the Eskimo tribe “Malemiut”, who lived in the coastal areas of Alaska. This breed of dog is healthy, very resilient and resistant to extreme weather conditions.

Akita Inu is a Japanese dog breed that originated in the Akita province on Honshu Island. Even in ancient times, Akita Inu were bred primarily as hunting and guard dogs. In Japan, this breed is considered a national treasure. The Japanese themselves call Akita Inu the "Treasure of Japan".

Se-tenant Stamps

Maxi Cards issued in the Set
Souvenir Sheets (SS) of the three Stamp Variants consisting of five stamps and a coupon/label.





Stamp issue on Bees from the United Nations Postal Administration UNPA) & Kyrgyzstan Express Post (KEP):
For other interesting posts from the Kyrgyz Express Post (KEP), Kyrgyzstan & Banknotes, please visit the following links:






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