Numismatikforum

A 1973 Minervan 35-dollar piece! In .999 silver overlaid with 24K gold, one of 10,500 coined in Lancaster, California for the “country” of Minerva. In January ‘72, North and South Minerva Reefs—about 400 miles south of the Pacific island of Fiji—were claimed by a private person and declared to be an independent nation. Real construction work ensued. Then in June ‘72, Tonga invaded and put an end to the enterprise.

These coins, from what I read, were a somewhat belated effort at raising money. Of course. But money for what purpose? To expel the Tongans? Or to continue construction? Perhaps to recoup the money that had already been spent? Because “Minerva” itself was something other than a scam, or so seems to indicate Unusual World Coins, by Colin R. Bruce II. And besides, what better proof is there of nationhood than having been invaded by another country?

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Letcher Mint (see the LM mintmark beneath the year date) produced an extensive series of silver medals with gold relief applications, some of them have a country name and nominal value, and some have even been provided with legal tender status. The Minerva coin was obviously designed by Don Dow (see the initials DD at the lower right of Minerva). Similar items were produced for the Solomon Islands (1975) and Djibouti (1991).