Transnistria is a non-UN recognized country that is too complicated to fully explain here. It calls itself Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, but even as it has it's own government and all, it is considered part of Moldova which calls it the Transnistria Autonomous Territorial Unit with special legal status.
Most of their coins, yes they issue their own money, are in kopeks and roubles (or rubles) but in 2005 they joined a long parade of countries that have done such and issued a "trial" Euro coin. This is not a legal tender coin and is considered a Fantasy Issue.
The coin is bi-metal and just larger than a US quarter, coming in at a 21.8mm diameter and 7.2g weight. The outer ring is made of nickel-brass and the inner part is copper-nickel. With a mintage of just 1,000 coins it is not particularly common.
The obverse is somewhat sparse, showing the date at the top and the word TRANSNISTRIA at the bottom, with a stylized bat in the middle. The bat would appear to be a characterized flying fox of some kind, but not a particularly good looking one. While I like the basic simplicity of the design, the tail looks much to much like a plane rudder and not bat-like at all. But the killer for this design is that the bat's left wing (the one on the right on the coin) has one too many fingers! Look at the difference between the wings and it is quite obvious.
Most of their coins, yes they issue their own money, are in kopeks and roubles (or rubles) but in 2005 they joined a long parade of countries that have done such and issued a "trial" Euro coin. This is not a legal tender coin and is considered a Fantasy Issue.
The coin is bi-metal and just larger than a US quarter, coming in at a 21.8mm diameter and 7.2g weight. The outer ring is made of nickel-brass and the inner part is copper-nickel. With a mintage of just 1,000 coins it is not particularly common.
The obverse is somewhat sparse, showing the date at the top and the word TRANSNISTRIA at the bottom, with a stylized bat in the middle. The bat would appear to be a characterized flying fox of some kind, but not a particularly good looking one. While I like the basic simplicity of the design, the tail looks much to much like a plane rudder and not bat-like at all. But the killer for this design is that the bat's left wing (the one on the right on the coin) has one too many fingers! Look at the difference between the wings and it is quite obvious.
2005 Transnistria 2 Euro bat coin with extra finger on one wing
The reverse of the coin is quite nice, showing a blind Lady Liberty holding her scale and a sword (in case the scale doesn't balance I suppose). It also has the 2 Euro denomination in the center.
2005 Transnistria 2 Euro bat coin reverse
The outer ring has the words "probe - essai - trial" along with two series of four stars each. The words are essentially the German, French and English words that designate a "pattern coin" which sorta helps note that this is not a legal tender issue.
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