My Coin Buying Adventures While In Tanzania

You write a very interesting story! I've found as I get older that those staying-up-for-a-zillion-hours-with-no-sleep episodes don't like me much anymore - so enjoy while you can . Sounds like you had a blast!

Oh, and

Glad to hear you can relate to me, jbuck!

Here is the first of several photos, I am uploading them through my website.

This would be considered a wider street in central Stone Town.



MORE TO COME!

Great photo!

The 1/4 Anna looks like it has verdegris :O
It really doesn't- just my scanner. It does, however, look to have uneven surfaces caused by improper storage or even maybe from being dug.

Thanks for all the comments guys!'

I also picked up two 1916 dated German East Africa "Gun Metal" 20 Heller coins. The story behind these is an interesting one.

"There was a dire shortage of every day items, including brass ingots, so the besieged Germans melted down a 4.1" brass gun taken from the German Cruiser the SMS Konigsberg that was earlier scuttled in the Rufiji river delta after being sunk by the Allies. A further source of metal was [...] "The New German 20 Heller War Coin made from English Cartridge Cases." A few coins were also struck in copper and bronze. These coins were made from scrap copper and brass. Sources include spent cartridges, wiring, home furnishings, and so on. All are crudely struck except for the gold coins which were more carefully designed and produced on a steam-driven palm oil press."

-Taken from http://www.tokencoins.com/gea01.htm#gun, where you can find more info as well as photos.

I picked up one in brass and one in copper. Unfortunately no "C" reverse.

just edited the above post with lots more info

Here is a pic of the SMS Konigsberg

And some more photos. These are from my mom's photoblog and were all taken by her. THe pics wont load here so Ill give you the links.

Lady on Zanzibar carrying spices in a bag on her head:
http://www.lightmatters.ca/index.php?showimage=122

Traditional Fishing Dhow off the coast at Sunset:
http://www.lightmatters.ca/index.php?showimage=123

I did see a lot of Tanzanite but it wasn't much cheaper than than anywhere else. I'm sure if I went direvt to the mines I could have purchased some for a good price, but never had the chance to do so. I have also heard that Tanzania is one ot the best- certainly safer than many of the others.

Great thread Andrew. Thanks for sharing.

I also had my first trip to Tanzania earlier this year. I only got to stay one day in Dar es Salaam but I was also impressed by the friendly, laid back locals.

Wish I had more time to explore for coins.

Thanks again.