Micronations

[Royalist0007]

How many of you have heard of this unrecognised monarchy,which became independent from both Western Australia & Australia on the 21st of April 1970? I know of it,as I used to collect stamps,but I am a serious numismatist (coin & banknote collector),who does have the set of banknotes & a few (albeit,extremely difficult to find) coins from this country.

Here is a link to the official website of the Hutt River Province Principality; www.huttriver.net .There's some very nice photos of Prince Leonard & his family.

Personally,I reckon that the Hutt River Province Principality should be recognised & admitted into full membership of the British Commonwealth.What do you think?

Aidan.

Here's a section for the coin & banknote collectors among you.I am a numismatist who specialises in collecting the coins & banknotes from across the British Commonwealth.

Here's a link to a forum that has discussions on this very subject; https://bcnumismaticforum.phpbbnow.com .

There are some very nice photos of a few coins depicting Queen Elizabeth II.

Aidan.

[Royalist0007]

Here's a section that will really interest the history buffs,especially those in the British Commonwealth,& any numismatists (coin & banknote collectors).It is about the self-declared Kingdom of Lundy,whose 'monarch',Martin Coles Harman issued his own coins in 1929.These coins,the 1/2 Puffin (which depicts a puffin's head) & 1 Puffin (which depicts a puffin standing on the ledge of a cliff) were issued by Martin Coles Harman as a way of asserting his independence.

Here's an article; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coins_of_Lundy .

Aidan.

[Royalist0007]

Here's a section that will be of interest to a number of you,especially those from Australia.It is about the Principality of Hutt River (or 'Hutt River Province Principality' between 1970 & 2006).

The Principality has celebrated 37 years of independence from both Australia & Western Australia.

To mark this occasion & the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of Prince Leonard & Princess Shirley,a silver & gold cameo Proof $30 medal-coin has now been issued.Here's a link; Official Home Site of the Principality of Hutt River .

This is the first numismatic item since 2000,& the first to bear the inscription 'PRINCIPALITY OF HUTT RIVER' instead of 'HUTT RIVER PROVINCE PRINCIPALITY'.

Here's an article about the Principality; Principality of Hutt River - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .

Aidan.

[Ephram]

Is this the smallest country in the world with only 20 residents?

[Royalist0007]

Ephram,it is the smallest country in terms of population,but it is far bigger than the Vatican City in Rome in terms of land area.

Although it is an unrecognised state,it is a British Commonwealth monarchy in its own right.

Aidan.

[Warren]

"Hutt River" is neither a recognised state nor a recognised monarchy. It's really more of a nonsense.

[Royalist0007]

Warren,have you looked at the Principality of Hutt River's website yet? Prince Leonard actually used the Treason Act,1485 as a 'get out of jail' card to secede from both Australia & Western Australia.

Some Aussie government departments,such as the Australian Tax Office have already given de-facto recognition to say that Hutt River & its residents are exempt from things like Aussie taxation.

Here's a link; Official Home Site of the Principality of Hutt River .

I admire Prince Leonard for what he has done.

Aidan.

[Warren]

I think it highly unlikely that the ATO has given a tax-free status to anyone in Hutt River who has taxable income, whatever his website says. If income falls beneath the tax threshhold after allowable expenses and rebates, it's free of tax anyway, as it is for any Australian.

Good luck to "Prince" Leonard in his efforts to earn some cash through his business of producing novelty stamps and coins, but he can't be taken seriously.

[Royalist0007]

Warren,you should read this Australian Department of Territories document; www.brumbywatchaustralia.com/AUSTEO_SECRET.gif .This proves that Hutt River DOES have a legal status distinct from either the Commonwealth of Australia itself or the State of Western Australia.

Aidan.

[Prince of Chota]

Isn't the definition of a country that it be recognised by other countries? (which has been the problem for both Israel and N. Cyprus in the past). So if NOBODY recognises it...by my logic it isn't a country.

Silly micro-nations.

Look up the Principality of Sealand. That's quite a laugh, too.

[Royalist0007]

Of course,I have heard of the Principality of Sealand.Here's an article about Sealand; Principality of Sealand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .The Republic of Somaliland IS a proper country,as it covers the same territory as the British Somaliland Protectorate. Here's an article about Somaliland; Somaliland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .Somaliland,like Zimbabwe,& Ireland,has more right to be a British Commonwealth member state than either Cameroon or Mozambique (who were allowed to join under false pretenses.

Israel is also a proper country.

The self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' is an illegal puppet state that has been set up by Turkey since 1974 (yet Turkey wants to join the E.U.,& refuses to recognise Cyprus as a proper country).I cannot believe that the New Zealand Government (whose foreign affairs & external relations policies are extremely braindead) has diplomatic relations with Turkey,whose government is a serial abuser of human rights,& one who has stuck its nose in the internal affairs of Cyprus (which is a British Commonwealth member state)for far too long!

Aidan.

[Prince of Chota]

YIKES! Let's avoid any scathing political discussions, here. Israelis would be the first to point out that lack of recognition by neighbouring countries is a huge problem. But the country is administered from Tel Aviv, (and quite effectively), so denial is just that.
Similarly, the northern section of Cyprus (and part of Nicosia) is administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Yet it is only recognised by Turkiye Cumhuriyeti (Republic of Turkey). Not recognising this certainly does nothing to improve peace or unity.
The affairs of Cyprus and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire were bound to cause problems between ethnic Turks and Greeks all over. The post-Ottoman wars caused my grandmum and her parents to leave Turkey for France in 1922, so I've heard my share of stories over the years. Given that the various other European empires have seriously trespassed human rights as well, I don't believe that anyone has the right to criticise the events at the end of the Ottoman Empire.
SO...
...back to the micronations. I both see and agree with your distinction between the legitimate states like Somaliland and dubious ones like Sealand. I think Sealand is the funniest, though, because it is so proposterous.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Royalist0007

Warren,you should read this Australian Department of Territories document; www.brumbywatchaustralia.com/AUSTEO_SECRET.gif .This proves that Hutt River DOES have a legal status distinct from either the Commonwealth of Australia itself or the State of Western Australia.

Aidan, this is an unsigned and undated memo to the Minister with the author choosing to use initials rather than his/her name and position. It has no legal validity.

Rather than spurious documents, go to the real thing: Australian Government - Australian Taxation Office webpage, dated 30 November 2005:

'Hutt River Province' and international business companies

Warning to potential investors

The Australian Government does not legally or otherwise recognise the so-called ‘Hutt River Province’.

The Tax Office has identified a situation where non-residents of Australia have been offered the chance to purchase international business companies and other entities purportedly incorporated or registered in the ‘Hutt River Province’.

We are concerned that the companies and other entities may be sold as part of a tax avoidance or evasion arrangement.

People should avoid any arrangements involving ‘Hutt River Province’ international business companies and any other entities as well as any associated international dealings because they have no legal basis and could be illegal.

Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia

[Royalist0007]

Warren,if the Aussie Government doesn't recognise Hutt River,then why is it left alone? Perhaps,they are afraid that if the politicians tried to take action,then there would be a backlash,given the fact that there is still an active secessionist movement in Western Australia.

I know that the Aussie Government tried legal action,but it didn't work.Then Aussie Post tried to subject it to a mail boycott back in the 1970's (thus mail to & from Hutt River was routed through Canada),until it was found to be illegal.

Hutt River has been a success for 37 years.Perhaps,it is time to leave it alone,& recognise it as a full British Commonwealth member state,along with Somaliland,Ireland,& Zimbabwe (once Mugabe's nutcase regime is gone from power).

Aidan.

[Royalist0007]

Originally Posted by Prince of Chota

YIKES! Let's avoid any scathing political discussions, here. Israelis would be the first to point out that lack of recognition by neighbouring countries is a huge problem. But the country is administered from Tel Aviv, (and quite effectively), so denial is just that.
Similarly, the northern section of Cyprus (and part of Nicosia) is administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Yet it is only recognised by Turkiye Cumhuriyeti (Republic of Turkey). Not recognising this certainly does nothing to improve peace or unity.
The affairs of Cyprus and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire were bound to cause problems between ethnic Turks and Greeks all over. The post-Ottoman wars caused my grandmum and her parents to leave Turkey for France in 1922, so I've heard my share of stories over the years. Given that the various other European empires have seriously trespassed human rights as well, I don't believe that anyone has the right to criticise the events at the end of the Ottoman Empire.
SO...
...back to the micronations. I both see and agree with your distinction between the legitimate states like Somaliland and dubious ones like Sealand. I think Sealand is the funniest, though, because it is so proposterous.

Turkey's claim to northern Cyprus is illegal under international convention.The same thing applies to Ireland's claim to Ulster,Spain's claim to Gibraltar,Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands,Somalia's claim to Somaliland,& Guatemala's claim to Belize.

Both Greece & Turkey have been sticking their noses in the internal affairs of Cyprus (which is a fully independent British Commonwealth member state,by the way!) for far too long.The British were far better rulers of Cyprus than the Turks ever were.The Greeks tried to force the British to hand Cyprus over to Greece.There would have been a Serbian-style bloodbath in Cyprus if Cyprus had been handed over to the Greeks.

Both Somaliland & Hutt River should be recognised as fully independent British Commonwealth member states in their own right

Aidan.

[Warren]

It's probably a good time to return to the thread topic of the Commonwealth of Nations coins and banknotes.
c

[Royalist0007]

Does anyone know if there were any commemorative coins issued to mark the installation of the 13th. Yang Di-Pertuan Agong?

Aidan.

[Ephram]

Originally Posted by Royalist0007

Does anyone know if there were any commemorative coins issued to mark the installation of the 13th. Yang Di-Pertuan Agong?

Aidan.

My friend working at the National Bank says that so far no commemmorative coins issued for the occassion, and it's very rare to see such coins considering that the Installation is every 5 years. But as for stamps, yes there is:

http://www.pos.com.my/v1/

[Royalist0007]

Originally Posted by Ephram

My friend working at the National Bank says that so far no commemmorative coins issued for the occassion, and it's very rare to see such coins considering that the Installation is every 5 years. But as for stamps, yes there is:

http://www.pos.com.my/v1/

Ephram,I am surprised that there were no commemorative coins issued to commemorate the installation of the 13th. Yang Di-Pertuan Agong,yet there were some that were issued to commemorate the installation of the 12th. Yang Di-Pertuan Agong back in 2002.

Aidan.

[Royalist0007]

Ephram,have you seen one of these; pandangan belakang - Uniquely Kelantan - Fotopages.com ? It is depicting a Kelantanese gold 1 Dinar coin dated AH1427 (2006).

Here's an article; Kelantanese dinar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .

Aidan.