World Coins in Loose Change

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There is a narrow ledge on my car’s center console where I place small things that don’t have anywhere else to go, including spare change. Over the course of last year, the coins accumulated. I was quick to spot Canadian pennies—the large maple leaf gave them away—but the others looked unfamiliar. They reminded me that visitors from other countries often bring their change with them, and somehow these world coins enter our pockets and holding places.

Altogether, I found coins from 15 countries. I went through them quickly to see if any might be heavy and possibly made of silver. Alas, I discovered no silver coins, but I decided to select coins from six countries to learn more about. These pieces offer a window into their particular history and the culture that produced them.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone came into existence as a place where freed slaves could live. Here was a tangible reminder of the presence of slavery in another country on the other side of the world. The name is derived from a phrase meaning “lion mountains,” which is how the Portuguese soldiers described the region’s mountains in the 16th century. The words FREEDOM and JUSTICE also appear on the coin, both important to what followed when slavery was outlawed. In fact, Freetown, established in 1787, was a refuge for freed slaves from the British Empire and the United States.

Sierra Leone coins are modest in detail and lack the complex representations seen on other coins, particularly older ones. The country has gone through several political regimes, and its coins quietly reflect these changes. Following the Portuguese exploration, the territory came under British rule in 1807 and became an independent country in 1961.

The prominent figure on the obverse of the 1974 penny is Sir Milton Margai, the country’s first prime minister. On the reverse is a palm sprig, a motif representing victory and peace on ancient coins. The lion has graced coins from Sierra Leone since 1791. It stands centered on all four paws, alert and ready to take on all comers, suggesting the role of a guardian. The 1791 coin draws parallels to classic Roman coins, including an engraving of a handshake. Sierra Leone’s coinage is important not only for its historical value, but also as a reminder of one of the earliest efforts to abolish slavery.

Jamaica

Tourists love Jamaica for its vibrant culture, warm climate, and lush plant life. Its main industries are mining, tourism, and agriculture, with its main exports being sugar, rum, and molasses. If you listen to the wind, you might almost hear Harry Belafonte singing “Jamaica Farewell” with its wistful longing for “Kingston town.” The 1959 cent was minted under British governance, three years before the nation’s independence. On the obverse is an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse bears a prominent St. George’s Cross with five pineapples. The motto below reads INDUS UTERQUE SERVIET UNI (“Both Indies shall serve one”).

The change brought by independence can be seen when comparing the 1959 cent with those minted beginning in 1962. Queen Elizabeth II still appears on the obverse, as Jamaica remained a Commonwealth nation and had a continuing relationship with Britain. The new motto, translated into English, is “Out of Many, One People.”

Republic of Colombia

Colombia is situated in the northwest corner of South America. It has an agricultural economy in which coffee is the main crop, supplemented by crude oil, bananas, sugar, and emeralds. The nation has a rich cultural heritage that fuses elements brought together by immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, and the African diaspora. Additionally, a variety of indigenous cultures are represented.

Colombia’s political history has been marked by strife, violence, and political upheaval. In examining the 5-centavo coin I found, I noticed a large Phrygian cap at the center of the coin, similar to those found on coins from the United States and Mexico, which share a lineage with ancient Rome and the French Revolution. It is surrounded by wreaths. On the reverse, sprigs of coffee beans flank the “V,” representing the denomination, and a cornucopia appears above.

Mexico

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the Mexican real was among the most important coins in the world. It was the first truly global coin and played an important role in the American colonies and the early United States. Frequently, it was cut into eight pieces, hence the phrase “pieces of eight.” It was accepted in the United States as currency until the Coinage Act of 1857.

Mexican coins are among the most expressive in the Western Hemisphere. They are carefully engraved with vibrant images. Mexican issues also share a continuity with Roman and United States coinage. In the early 1800s, a Phrygian cap became one of Mexico’s core republican images, as it had been on large cents in the United States in the early 1790s. The Phrygian cap traces its origins to a Roman hat associated with freed slaves and the idea of liberty. Over time, it came to symbolize freedom and sovereignty. The coin I discovered was a 1946 20 centavos. Perhaps I had received the coin because its size made it easy to confuse with a U.S. quarter. On the obverse is a prominent eagle. The reverse displays the majestic Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, with two volcanoes in the background. Above the pyramid is a Phrygian cap.

Canada

Canada has a rich numismatic history. Before it became independent in 1867, hundreds of Canadian tokens coexisted with provincial coinage. In 1858 the first cent was minted, a provincial large cent that was 1 inch in diameter. The Canadian cent has been a favorite of collectors ever since. On the reverse is a prominent maple leaf, representing unity as well as strength, endurance, and protection.

Canada is known for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. In fact, the Royal Canadian Mint offers an entire line of nature-themed noncollector coins, many of them engraved in the full spectrum of colors. While countries in Central and South America may emphasize their freedom from Europe, Canada has affirmed its relationship with Britain throughout its history. A portrait of the British monarch is shown on the obverse of its coins.

Germany

Numismatic history in Germany is vast and complicated due to the many minting authorities that have struck coinage over the centuries. A good account of the coin landscape can be found in the book Coins of the World.

From the post-war years until 1990, collectors could choose between West German and East German coins, but since 1990, the coinage has reflected a united Germany.

The 10 pfennig was minted in large numbers from the 1950s through the ’90s. It is light and brass-colored and may be easily mistaken for a dime or even a penny. On the obverse is the German Federal Eagle and BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND. On the reverse are leaves and acorns, symbols of Germany’s strength. In 2002 the 10 pfennig was replaced by the 10-cent euro coin.

Conclusion

When I finished sorting the coins from that small compartment in my car, I paused over them longer than I expected. Each had passed through many hands before reaching mine, and at least one other country. Were these brought here by vacationers or perhaps people who hoped to settle here? Whatever their journey, these small pieces of metal have become unexpected reminders of the much larger world beyond my own.