20 Francs

20 Francs - obverse20 Francs - reverse

© Rojomano

Features

Location Isle of Pines (New Caledonia)
Type Fantasy items › Fantasy currency
Year 2015
Value 20 Francs
Composition Nickel plated steel
Weight 8.8 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Number
N#
100325

Obverse

Shell and polynesian symbols

Script: Latin

Lettering: ILE DES PINS

Reverse

Tortoise.
Value.
Date.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
ILE DES PINS
20 F
2015

Edge

Plain

Comments

The Isle of Pines (in French Île des Pins; Kanak name: Kunyié) is an island located in the Pacific Ocean, in the archipelago of New Caledonia, an overseas collectivity of France. The island is part of the commune (municipality) of L'Île-des-Pins, in the South Province of New Caledonia. The inhabitants of the island are mainly native Melanesian Kanaks and the population is 2,000 (estimated 2006). In 1989 the population was 1,465.

The Isle of Pines is nicknamed l'île la plus proche du paradis ("the closest island to Paradise"). It has snorkeling and scuba diving in and around its lagoon. Species of tropical fish and corals can be seen in the transparent water.

The island measures 15 km by 13 km. It lies southeast of Grande Terre, New Caledonia's main island and is 100 kilometres southeast of the capital Nouméa. The Isle of Pines is surrounded by the New Caledonia Barrier Reef. The island is rich with animal life and is home to unusual creatures such as the Crested Gecko Rhacodactylus ciliatus and the world's largest gecko Rhacodactylus leachianus.

The island was discovered by Westerners by Captain James Cook in 1774 on his second voyage to New Zealand. Cook gave the island its name after seeing the tall native pines. He never disembarked onto the island, but as he saw signs of inhabitance assumed it was inhabited. In the 1840s Protestant and Catholic missionaries arrived, along with merchants seeking sandalwood.

The French took possession of the island in 1853 at which time the native Kunies opted for the Catholic religion. In 1872 the island became a French penal colony, home to 3,000 political deportees from the Paris Commune.

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
2015  $ 3.50

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

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This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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