Coins and Harry Potter

This overall site has little to do with Harry Potter, however, like many others, I have been swept up in the phenomenon. Since the actual Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts that have been struck are fantasy pieces, I have not added any to my collection, though I have come very close several times!

I have not been able to determine the derivation of the names, though the sickle may be a variation of shequel. Galleons were ships and one often heard the term "Treasure Galleon" so there may be some connection there.

Though coins with the actual names as in the Harry Potter series are fantasy, the Isle of Man has struck some legal tender coins commemorating the books. The coins were struck as Crowns and 1/25th Crowns. There was a cupro-nickle crown and a silver proof crown. The 1/25th crown is struck in gold and contains 1.254 grams of .9999 fine gold. These were struck as proofs.

All the coins feature the head of Queen Elizabeth II right on the obverse. A series of reverses were struck for the books.

There were six types struck in 2001 for Harry Potter and the Sorcerors's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone depending upon where you are). The reverses depict Sailing across the Lake to Hogwarts, Harry in Potions Class, Harry Casting a Spell, the Birth of Norbert, the Quidditch Match, and Retrieving the Key.

There were also six types struck in 2002 for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The obverse is the same as the 2001 coins and the reverses show Dobby Visiting Harry, Flying the Car to the Burrow, Making the Polyjuice Potion, Meeting Aragog, Tom Riddle taking Harry's Wand, and Harry taking the Sword of Godric Gryffindor.

In 2004 there were four coins for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Same obverse as the previous and reverses showing Harry holding the Marauder's Map, the Fight inside Shrieking Shack, Harry Casting the Patronus, and Harry, Hermione, and Sirius Black flying on the Hippogriff Buckbeak.

2005 saw the release of four more coins for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Obverse same as before and reverses showing the Task with the Dragons, the Rescue in the Lake, Harry in Dumbledore's Pensieve, and the Tri-Wizard Tournament.