Microstates : 20 b Republic of Molossia (bogus)

Except for a territory clamed in the Pacific Ocean (Neptune Deep), and  Vesperia (claimed on Venus), the microstate 'republic of Molossia' is completely surrounded by the USA.

Among the laws in Molossia, same-sex marriage was adopted in 2002, and there is a restriction in importing tobacco into the country. Hereby Molossia is more progressive then many states in the neighbouring USA.

Border of Molossia with the USA

At the border of Molossia, USD can be exchanged for Molossian Valoras.
The coins are posted in my previous post, the banknotes (currently 4 notes in circulation) are 1, 5, 10 and 20 valoras.
The language on the notes is both English and Esperanto.

1 valora banknote

1 valora banknote - back

The Molossian notes are very nice notes. They come with an embossed seal, serial number and signature of the Minister of Finance, Miss Adrianne Baugh.

Embossed seal of Molossia

Signature of Mrs. A. Baugh

 The other notes :

5 (Kvin) Valora - President K. Baugh

5 (Kvin) Valora - back

10 (Dek) Valora - Emperor Norton I

10 (Dek) Valora - back

20 (Dudek) Valora - First Lady A. Baugh

20 (Dudek) Valora - back

Except for use within the Republic of Molossia itself - those notes can not be used elsewhere.

Besides the very limited usage of the currency above, my respect to the very fine design of the notes, and the effort that was done to create something nice.
The use of Esperanto on these notes is unique and much appreciated.
More info on : http://www.molossia.org/bank.html

to be continued...

Microstates : 20 a Republic of Molossia (bogus)

I had to look it up, but the republic of Molossia is a micronation within the state of Nevada (USA).

Flag of Molossia

The effort of his excellency Kevin Baugh to create an independent state, started in 1999.
It was based upon a childhood idea to create the "grand republic of Vuldstein"
The micro state uses English as national language, but as a tribute to world peace and equality, Esperanto is accepted as national language too.
The self-declared country has issued stamps, coins and banknotes.
I was more then excited when I saw the series of banknotes that were issued in Esperanto.

It took some diplomatic skills to contact the Ministry of Finance of Molossia, to obtain the current notes and coins.
His excellency, President Baugh, contacted me personally and sent me from the government house itself.

President Kevin Baugh

Cover from the Republic of Molossia

The coins :
Coins come in 1, 5 and 10 Valora (1 Valora is 0.75 USD)

 1 valora coin

1 valora coin - back - coat of arms

5 valora coin

5 valora coin - back - president

10 valora coin

10 valora coin - back - Emperor Norton I

There is a commemorative coin on the presidential wedding (sold out) and one commemorating the Grand Republic of Vuldstein (1977).

commemorative coin

commemorative coin - back

The coins are legal tender in the Republic of Molossia only.

More to follow

Odd stamps : 08 Stamps with special cuts - 05 b

It's been a while since I started my topic on odd shaped stamps.
I didn't realise that I only had one article on pentagonal stamps so far.
So, time for a small update...

In 2000, US post emitted a sheet with 5 pentagonal stamps dedicated to the exporation of the solar system.
The sheet indeed shows us several planets, with Saturn and a/the Moon as background and 5 pentagonal stamps forming a bigger pentagon.

full sheet 'exploring the solar system' (USA - 2000)

3 of the 5 stamps are pictures of the Sun, it's centre and the eruptions on the sun's surface.
The other 2 stamps are depicting the Earth, seen from space and the sky, seen from Earth.

detail with 5 pentagonal stamps

When flipping the sheet, you can clearly see the 5 pentagons, placed in a way that shaped formed in the middle is an upside down pentagon.
The whole images of 5 stamps, forms another, bigger pentagon again.

detail of the back side of the sheet