After 12 days of not posting anything, I have decided to write about a new crown dependency that has appeared in the past few weeks - the Crown Dependency of Forvik. However as I had explained in the first post of this blog, I don't want to add any self declared countries that aren't serious in their attempt to be recognised, so I am waiting until Forvik becomes more well known and has shown that it is serious. If it does this, then I will add it to the site.
Their website (www.forvik.com) seems to suggest that in the future there will be coins, stamps and banknotes, and citizenship applications are already available. You might also be interested in reading the recently created Wikipedia article. This post will be short, as other than this and the flag we don't have much more information on Forvik, but I shall check the website for new information and I will add more information in future posts.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Saturday, 28 June 2008
More Sealandic Stamps
Today I have decided to add more of the Sealandic stamps from the collection - which will be some of the oldest in Sealand's history.
Firstly I shall add Sealand's first stamps, which was a set including history's most famous maritime explorers, along with a drawn picture of Sealand and a helicopter, the helicopter being the method of transport used for delivering Sealandic post to Brussels in Belgium.
The next image shows both sides of a very rare envelope to Beunos Aires in Argentina.
Not only does this envelope have some of the more early Sealandic stamps attached (displaying famous ships, with the SX$1 stamp displaying Dutch and English ships at war) , it is once again another example of how microstates have sent post without the services offered by recognised postage systems. You will also notice a map indicating the location of Sealand stamped on the front of the envelope.
There are many more Sealandic stamps contained within the collection, and scans of these will be uploaded in the near future.
Firstly I shall add Sealand's first stamps, which was a set including history's most famous maritime explorers, along with a drawn picture of Sealand and a helicopter, the helicopter being the method of transport used for delivering Sealandic post to Brussels in Belgium.
The next image shows both sides of a very rare envelope to Beunos Aires in Argentina.
Not only does this envelope have some of the more early Sealandic stamps attached (displaying famous ships, with the SX$1 stamp displaying Dutch and English ships at war) , it is once again another example of how microstates have sent post without the services offered by recognised postage systems. You will also notice a map indicating the location of Sealand stamped on the front of the envelope.
There are many more Sealandic stamps contained within the collection, and scans of these will be uploaded in the near future.
Friday, 20 June 2008
Seborga
Today, I have recieved a Seborgan coin from Germany, and therefore I have decided to add the Principality of Seborga to the list of microstates mentioned on this site. Of all the microstates mentioned - it is the oldest (founded in 954) and was once without a doubt a recognised state. Though it was sold, it was never registered by the new owner, and therefore the residents of Seborga elected Giorgio Carbone as Prince Giorgio I. They continue to support the independence, with the vast majority voting "yes to independence" in a 1995 referendum.The coin is the only item in the collection from Seborga (so far), yet it is a cupro-nickel 15 Cent Luigino from 1996 with a mintage of 30,000. The Luigino, the official currency of the Principality of Seborga, can be used within Seborga's borders and is recognised as a currency by the International bank (Liberia) with legal value only existing within the microstate.
For more information on Seborga, you can read the Seborga Times in English.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Stamps from the Principality of Hutt River
Next we shall see the stamps of the Principality of Hutt River, a 75 squared km area of land completely surrounded by Western Australia with Prince Leonard I as head of state. Stamps are a very important export of PHR and can be found at the Principality's own post office in the capital Nain.
Firstly, I shall place a photo of an envelope sent to me from the PHR. As I mentioned earlier, these microstates have managed to send post all over the globe without having to rely heavily on the postage systems of more recognised countries.
Though the envelope is recent, the stamp is one of the earliest (23rd April 1979) from the PHR and appears to no longer be on sale. This stamp is part of and the greatest in value of the wildflowers set. Next is an image of the October 1995 "Islands of the South Pacific" complete set, presenting the flags of various states in the South Pacific. Note: the name "Hutt River Province" is no longer the official name of the PHR though can be seen in the earlier stamps of the country
The following stamps are shown in the book "Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-made Nations" under a section specific to the history of stamps in self declared microstates. This is the "Views of the Principality" set and once again use an older version of the countries name, the "Hutt River Province Principality".
Here is an image of a very recent set of stamps from the PHR, the "Christmas 2007", displaying the primary colours within a Christmas tree design and the complete seal of the PHR.
The Lonely Planet Guide goes on to explain that the PHR is a leading microstate when considering stamps, as it has managed a postal service from the capital Nain for years and continues to do so. Tourists also buy the stamps as souvenirs, and the PHR's economy is growing as tourism is growing (along with the exports of currency and wildflowers). In fact, the Australian Postmaster found it necessary to divert all post to Canada and place an embargo on the PHR, eventually leading to the declaration of war on Australia (which ended after a few days).
Firstly, I shall place a photo of an envelope sent to me from the PHR. As I mentioned earlier, these microstates have managed to send post all over the globe without having to rely heavily on the postage systems of more recognised countries.
Though the envelope is recent, the stamp is one of the earliest (23rd April 1979) from the PHR and appears to no longer be on sale. This stamp is part of and the greatest in value of the wildflowers set. Next is an image of the October 1995 "Islands of the South Pacific" complete set, presenting the flags of various states in the South Pacific. Note: the name "Hutt River Province" is no longer the official name of the PHR though can be seen in the earlier stamps of the country
The following stamps are shown in the book "Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-made Nations" under a section specific to the history of stamps in self declared microstates. This is the "Views of the Principality" set and once again use an older version of the countries name, the "Hutt River Province Principality".
Here is an image of a very recent set of stamps from the PHR, the "Christmas 2007", displaying the primary colours within a Christmas tree design and the complete seal of the PHR.
The Lonely Planet Guide goes on to explain that the PHR is a leading microstate when considering stamps, as it has managed a postal service from the capital Nain for years and continues to do so. Tourists also buy the stamps as souvenirs, and the PHR's economy is growing as tourism is growing (along with the exports of currency and wildflowers). In fact, the Australian Postmaster found it necessary to divert all post to Canada and place an embargo on the PHR, eventually leading to the declaration of war on Australia (which ended after a few days).
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Sealandic Stamps
After a new stamp was acquired from Spain yesterday, I have decided to place a few of the stamps from the collection on this site. While the collection does include some of the earliest stamps from 1969, I have decided to include the 1977 Sailing Ships set as well as the new Spanish stamp from Inmonaranja, the estate agents attempting to transfer Sealand.
Firstly, here's a scan of the 1977 stamps. When bought, the 90c and SX$1 stamps were removed from the other stamps. Sealand has repeatedly used famous and historical sailing ships as a theme for its stamps and even once for a coin.
Again, the Sealandic coat of arms has been used as a theme for the 80c stamp. The next image shows the removed stamps.
The 90c stamp shows Prince Roy of Sealand, the founder and current head of state of the Principality of Sealand. His wife Princess Joan of Sealand is shown on the SX$1 stamp. Interestingly, Sealandic stamps have been successfully used for postage to various countries, mainly Belgium, without the use of foreign stamps. Therefore it has been proven that Sealandic stamps can be used for postage.
The final stamp I shall place on this site is not Sealandic itself, but it represents an event in Sealand's more recent history - and that is Inmonaranja intention to transfer Sealand.
This Spanish stamp can be used within Spain. It shows the Sealandic coat of arms along with the logo of Inmonaranja. This is also the only known example of a foreign stamp displaying anything Sealandic on it, and the estate agent's website can be clearly seen upon the stamp.
This is the first post on Sealandic stamps, yet there are more in the collection and it is likely that more stamps will be shown on this site in the future.
Firstly, here's a scan of the 1977 stamps. When bought, the 90c and SX$1 stamps were removed from the other stamps. Sealand has repeatedly used famous and historical sailing ships as a theme for its stamps and even once for a coin.
Again, the Sealandic coat of arms has been used as a theme for the 80c stamp. The next image shows the removed stamps.
The 90c stamp shows Prince Roy of Sealand, the founder and current head of state of the Principality of Sealand. His wife Princess Joan of Sealand is shown on the SX$1 stamp. Interestingly, Sealandic stamps have been successfully used for postage to various countries, mainly Belgium, without the use of foreign stamps. Therefore it has been proven that Sealandic stamps can be used for postage.
The final stamp I shall place on this site is not Sealandic itself, but it represents an event in Sealand's more recent history - and that is Inmonaranja intention to transfer Sealand.
This Spanish stamp can be used within Spain. It shows the Sealandic coat of arms along with the logo of Inmonaranja. This is also the only known example of a foreign stamp displaying anything Sealandic on it, and the estate agent's website can be clearly seen upon the stamp.
This is the first post on Sealandic stamps, yet there are more in the collection and it is likely that more stamps will be shown on this site in the future.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
The Sealand Dollar
The Sealand Dollar is the official currency of the Principality of Sealand, and the first coins were minted in 1972. Pegged to the US$, it has become a very rare currency, partially because of the metals it has been minted in, and is unique in the fact that a Sealandic rebel government has also minted a SX$100 coin in 1991.
The Microstates Site itself holds a collection of various coins as well as postage stamps from Sealand, and the three below are some of the first coins within that collection. Here you can see a silver SX$1 from 1994 (left, mintage 20,000), a bronze 25c from 1994 (middle, mintage 1,111, numbered) and a cupro-nickel 50c from 1994 (right, mintage 1,111).
Below is a SX$2.50 from 1994 that has been added later, that has an even smaller mintage of 1000 and is coated in .999 silver. What you will also notice from the picture, is that it is much larger than most other Sealand coins (or any common coin) with a diameter of 63.5 mm. Placed next to it are a 10p from the United kingdom and a €0.50 coin as a comparison.
These 1994 coins are the some of the last coins that Sealand has minted so far, and older coins from the 1970s are extremely rare. Most show the Sealandic coat of arms along with the motto "E Mare libertas" or "From The Sea, Freedom", while all 1994 coins hold a "Treasures Of The Sea ORCA" design for the reverse.
The Microstates Site itself holds a collection of various coins as well as postage stamps from Sealand, and the three below are some of the first coins within that collection. Here you can see a silver SX$1 from 1994 (left, mintage 20,000), a bronze 25c from 1994 (middle, mintage 1,111, numbered) and a cupro-nickel 50c from 1994 (right, mintage 1,111).
Below is a SX$2.50 from 1994 that has been added later, that has an even smaller mintage of 1000 and is coated in .999 silver. What you will also notice from the picture, is that it is much larger than most other Sealand coins (or any common coin) with a diameter of 63.5 mm. Placed next to it are a 10p from the United kingdom and a €0.50 coin as a comparison.
These 1994 coins are the some of the last coins that Sealand has minted so far, and older coins from the 1970s are extremely rare. Most show the Sealandic coat of arms along with the motto "E Mare libertas" or "From The Sea, Freedom", while all 1994 coins hold a "Treasures Of The Sea ORCA" design for the reverse.
Monday, 16 June 2008
An introduction
Declarations of independence are not as rare as many people believe - in fact, many individuals have done so for the past few decades. Of course, independence movements are common and found throughout the world - but these self declared countries are unique, yet often come into existence for the same reason - to create an unusual yet effective solution to a very common problem - and that problem is the misuse of power by governments. However, it is only the most serious attempts at this solution that are ever internationally noticed, and that is why national flags are designed, national anthems are written and currency is minted (which are of course, very rare).
While media coverage of these self declared countries has been rare, ABC-TV's "Can We Help?" has broadcast a clear introduction to these microstates, including the Principality of Hutt River and the Empire of Atlantium.
While media coverage of these self declared countries has been rare, ABC-TV's "Can We Help?" has broadcast a clear introduction to these microstates, including the Principality of Hutt River and the Empire of Atlantium.
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