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Tuesday, 25th August 2009 (7170 views)

A 24-c gold coin issued by the virtual country of Wirtland has been described as a "work of art" by the first person to buy one of the pieces.

Erik V McCrea, a painter, teacher and coin collector based in the United States, told Coin News that the Wirtland Crane offers "top-notch artistry combined with numismatics".

The coin, designed by Daniel Carr of Moonlight Mint, is the first physical gold coin to be issued by an internet-based country.

It features Wirtland's coat of arms on one side and a depiction of a migratory crane, symbolising the virtual state's transcendence of borders, on the reverse. The coin is not intended for circulation but has been given a denomination of ten International Currency Units.

Founded in 2008, Wirtland currently has 661 'citizens' from five different continents. In addition to the Wirtland Crane, the country issues passports, identification cards and residence permits.

Mr McCrea said his ultimate aim is to collect at least one coin from every country.

 

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