Banknote Collection Inspiration: Ships Around The World

PMG - Banknotes from around the world have honored famous ships with important roles in history.

Paper money collectors often focus on a particular nation or even a particular series. This column is designed to offer ideas for building a collection of notes from around the world based on a common element. This month, we look at famous ships that have shaped the world and are honored by different nations.

Norway - Gokstad Ship
Built in the 9th century, during King Harald Fairhair's reign, the Gokstad ship was intended for transportation, trade and war. This Viking ship, roughly 78 feet long and 16 feet wide, was later interred in a burial mound in Gokstad, Norway, where it remained for centuries. It was rediscovered in 1880 and is now displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway, as well as on the front of a 2016 100 Kroner.



Norway, Norges Bank 2016 100 Kroner graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Unc EPQ

Italy - La Niña, La Pinta and La Santa Maria
La Niña, La Pinta and La Santa Maria were three famous caravel ships that sailed under Christopher Columbus in 1492 during his historic transatlantic voyage. They are shown on the Italy 1973 5,000 Lire. La Niña (The girl) was originally called Santa Clara and was the smallest of the three. It vanished from the historical record after 1501, when it made a trip to the Pearl Coast near Venezuela. La Pinta was the fastest of the three ships, and its fate is unknown. La Santa Maria, originally called La Gallega, was the largest of the three. The ship was damaged beyond repair on Haiti's shores on Christmas Day 1492. Columbus ordered that the ship's timber be used to construct a fort named La Navidad. Although the location of the fort is lost, one of La Santa Maria's anchors rests at the Pantheon National Haitian Museum in Port-au-Prince.



Italy, Banca d'Italia 1973 5,000 Lire graded PMG 68 Superb Gem Unc EPQ

Read the Entire Article