In fact, a collector might consider assembling a set of coins whose shape is anything but round. And while there are some pricey pieces out there, there are still plenty of coins from which to choose that won't break the average collector's budget.
Round continues to be the norm in modern coinage because round coins are less prone to wear than coins of other shapes, and they are the most easily mass-produced. Round coins are also believed to be easier to handle and for use in vending machines.
Despite these advantages to round coins, numerous countries have issued nonround coins for circulation and commemorative purposes.
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PLAYING OFF the Bermuda Triangle theme, Bermuda's Proof 1998 sterling silver $3 coin is struck on a rectangular planchet. The reverse depicts the ship Deliverance sailing toward the island nation.
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This Beginners' Workshop is representative of what is available to collectors, but is not meant to be all-inclusive.
Let's start with some pricey coins, all of which are composed of gold.
Gold rarities
Augustus Humbert $50 gold slugs are octagonal, or eight-sided in shape. The pioneer gold pieces are probably the most expensive for a collector to consider adding to this kind of collection. Issues dated 1851 and 1852, depending on condition and variety, can cost anywhere from just under $10,000 each, to nearly $250,000.
The 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition $50 commemorative gold coin was issued in two versions - round and octagonal. A Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America-graded Mint State 67 specimen sold July 30 at public auction by Heritage Numismatic Auctions Inc. for nearly $290,000.
Now that the shock has worn off, it's time to consider the inexpensive alternative, starting with some 21st century entries and working back in time.
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MANY COUNTRIES have or are still issuing coins with scalloped edges. This 10-poisha coin was issued in 1974 by Bangladesh.
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Oddest of odd
Perhaps the most oddly shaped coin is the 2002 .999 fine silver $10 coin from the Republic of Nauru, an island republic located in the western Pacific Ocean.
The Proof coin celebrates the introduction of the euro with a coin shaped in the outline of the nations that comprise the European Economic Union that issue the euro coinage. It is valued at $55 in the 2006 Standard Catalogue of World Coins, edited by Colin R. Bruce II, based on the original work of Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler.
Another unusual issue is a release by the Somali Republic in 2004. Issued in silver and copper-nickel versions, the dollar-denominated commemorative marks the 50th anniversary of rock and roll music and the Stratocaster guitar. The guitar-shaped coin is offered at a variety of prices, depending on whether you prefer the coins plain or in any of their secondary market alterations with gold-plating, gold outlines and enameling. Another 2004 Somali Republic dollar issue is shaped like a Flying A guitar.
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FAN-SHAPED Proof sterling silver 10-zloty commemorative coin marking the occasion of the World Exhibition Expo 2005, held in Aichi, Japan, was issued in March by the National Bank of Poland.
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On March 23, 2005, the National Bank of Poland, through the Polish State Mint, released a sterling-silver 10-zloty commemorative coin marking the occasion of the World Exhibition Expo 2005, held in Aichi, Japan. The obverse of the fan-shaped coin depicts a stylized view of a fragment of the monument to Fryderyk Chopin from the Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw. The reverse depicts a pair of cranes and pine trees. The Proof coin retails for $29.
The National Bank of Poland has also issued a number of special-edition klippe coins to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the bank's putting a new coinage system into circulation. The klippe coins are usually square in shape, reminiscent of the silver klippe coins issued by many European nations in the 17th and 18th centuries and earlier. While the centuries-old coins might remove hundreds or even thousands of dollars from your wallet, the modern releases are priced at less than $100 each. Visit the Polish State Mint site online at www.mennica.com.pl/english/ zakl_mon/index.html.
Count the sides
A popular shape of nonround coins is the seven-sided coin.
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PERHAPS THE most oddly shaped coin is the .999 fine silver 2002 $10 issue from the Republic of Nauru, an island republic located in the western Pacific Ocean. The Proof coin celebrates the introduction of the euro with a coin shaped in the outline of the nations that comprise the European Economic Union and that issue the euro coinage.
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United Kingdom has used this shape in its 20-pence coins since 1985 and since 1969 for its 50-pence coins.
The 20-pence design features the Tudor rose on its reverse. The rose is topped by a crown.
The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The copper-nickel 20-pence coins have been issued in such significant quantities that Uncirculated coins have a value of less than $1. Proof versions are valued at only a few dollars each. None of the seven-sided 20-pence coins are valued at more than $5.
The United Kingdom's 50-pence coins carry the queen's portrait on the obverse and a Seated Britannia on the reverse. Copper-nickel versions of this series are also very reasonably priced, with catalog values no higher than $3.50 for Uncirculated versions and $6 for Proof editions.
Circulating commemorative copper-nickel versions of the 50-pence coin are also reasonably priced at less than $10. While carrying the queen's portrait on the obverse, the reverses of the commemoratives are varied in theme, and include the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, women's suffrage and the British Presidency of the European Council of Ministers.
Many countries that currently have or used to have ties to the United Kingdom also have issued seven-sided coins.
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SOMALI REPUBLIC'S 2004 commemorative dollar coin is shaped like a guitar to mark the 50th anniversary of rock and roll music and the Stratocaster guitar. The non-denominated side, left, is enameled. Images courtesy of www.fredweinberg.com.
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Such countries include the Isle of Man, Jersey, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Barbados and Gibraltar.
Canada has issued the 11-sided Loon dollar since its introduction in 1987. Canada also boasts a number of cent and 5-cent issues that are 12-sided, and are valued at no more than a few dollars each.
Still other countries have struck six-, eight- or 10-sided coins.
Chile's circulation peso and 5-peso coins have eight sides. A portrait of national hero Bernardo O'Higgins appears on the obverse, and the reverse features a wreath and the face value.
The peso coin is made from aluminum, while the 5-peso coin is composed of aluminum-bronze.
These coins are reasonably priced in Uncirculated condition. The peso is valued at 10 cents and the 5-peso coin is valued at 50 cents.
Argentina has also issued several octagonal and 12-sided coins, all valued at less than $2 in Uncirculated condition. The Republic of Tanzania issued a 12-sided 5-senti coin from 1966 through 1984, featuring a sailfish design, that catalogs for less than $1 in Uncirculated condition.
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TWO NONROUND gold issues are the hexagonal-shaped Augustus Humbert $50 gold slug, top, and the octagonal 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition $50 gold coin.
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Swaziland issued a 12-sided bronze cent in 1975 as a commemorative for the world Food and Agriculture Organization. The issue catalogs for $1. There are also several 12-sided 50-cent coin issues.
Hong Kong's 1976 to 1979 $5 coin is 10-sided. The copper-nickel coins have catalog values at $3 or less.
Scalloped edges
Another common type of almost round coin shape is the scalloped coin.
These flower-shaped coins have been released by a number of countries.
The Republic of Tanzania issued a scalloped-edge nickel-brass 10-senti coin from 1977 to 1984 featuring a zebra. The issue catalogs for $1.
Bangladesh's aluminum 10-poisha coin featured a scalloped shape from 1973 to 1984. Catalog values are less than $1 for these coins.
Spain's 50-peseta coins first featured a scalloped shape in 1990. Each year between 1990 and 1998 carried a new circulating commemorative design. Uncirculated versions of the copper-nickel coins are valued at $2.50 or less.
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SPECIAL-EDITION klippe coins to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the National Bank of Poland putting a new coinage system into circulation were struck by the Polish State Mint. Klippe coins are usually square or rectangular in shape and are reminiscent of the centuries-old European silver coins, like the 1627 Transylvania 2-taler klippe shown, above. At right is a 5-zlotych commemorative. Transylvania klippe courtesy of www.goldbergcoins.com.
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Israel's copper-nickel agorah coins from 1960 to 1980 feature a scalloped edge and a wheat design on their obverses. Early varieties of these coins claim values of as much as $750, but most Uncirculated versions are valued at around $1.
Swaziland has issued a number of scalloped-edge coins in cent, 2-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent and 20-cent denominations. Some 2-cent issues, instead of a scalloped edge, bear a somewhat square shape with rounded corners. All of the issues are valued under $3.
The Maldives has issued a number of scalloped-edge coins, both as a sultanate and as a republic. The 5- and 10-larin issues depict a variety of designs, including national emblems, bonito tuna, a sailing ship and a mosque, and are composed of either nickel-brass or aluminum. Specimens can be obtained for less than $3, even in Uncirculated condition.
The kingdom of Bhutan issued aluminum scalloped-edge coins in 1974 and 1975 denominated 10 chetrums. Both are valued at less than $2.
Square, out of square
Coins with scalloped edges or seven, eight, 10 or 12 sides are still approximately round.
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A NUMBER OF the United Kingdom's 50-pence coins are seven-sided, including this commemorative piece marking the British Presidency of the European Council of Ministers.
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However, square, rectangular, triangular or pentagonal coins look markedly different from traditional round coins.
Aruba issues two square-shaped denominations.
Its 50-cent and 5-florin coins are composed of nickel-bonded steel.
The 50-cent coin's obverse carries the country's crest and the reverse carries a geometric design.
The 5-florin coin's reverse carries a portrait of Dutch Queen Beatrix, and the reverse carries a design similar to the 50-cent coin's obverse.
Uncirculated versions of these boxy coins are valued at $7.50 or less.
The Netherlands issued zinc square 5-cent coins from 1941 to 1943. Examples of these in Extremely Fine condition or lower condition are valued at around $10 or less.
Swaziland also issued square 2-cent coins between 1974 and 1982. The bronze coins are valued at $1 or less.
Many other countries have issued diamond-shaped coins.
The Bahamas' 15-cent coins are diamond-shaped. First issued in 1966, the coins feature Queen Elizabeth II's portrait on the obverse and a hibiscus on the reverse. Uncirculated values are listed at no higher than $2.
Bhutan, India, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Oman and Pakistan are among other countries that have released circulating diamond-shaped coins.
Rectangular coins are much less common than square- or diamond-shaped coins, and most of the rectangular coins are higher priced than their angular counterparts.
Tonga issued a few rectangular pa'anga coins in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The coins were struck in copper-nickel and in .999 fine silver versions. The silver coins are understandably pricier than the copper-nickel versions, which are valued under $10 in EF condition.
Bermuda trades upon the so-called Bermuda Triangle with its triangular dollar coins. Queen Elizabeth II's portrait appears on their obverses and shipping scenes on their reverses. Uncirculated versions of the copper-nickel coins are valued at less than $9. Silver versions are available in a number of legal tender values, with the $3 issue valued at $55, up to the $60 face value releases valued at $750 because of their mintages of 1,500 coins.
The Cook Islands also issued triangular coins, from 1987 to 1994. The copper-nickel $2 coins are valued at less than $4 in Uncirculated versions and under $9 in Proof versions. Yemen struck pentagonal coins in the 1940s and 1950s. Silver eighth-ahmadi riyals are usually valued at $8 or less in Very Fine condition.
Many other countries have also issued nonround coins that are very affordable.
Check out dealers' offerings in nearby shops, at coin shows or examine the advertisements in numismatic periodicals such as Coin World.
The world of nonround coin collecting awaits you.
