New Island Coin?
From Numismatic News by Todd Haefer

Collectors of world coins may end up scratching their heads trying to track down information on the one-roger coin of the Commonwealth of New Island.

That's to be expected when the country exists only in the mind of artist Lee Mothes <http://www.oceansanddreams.com/> , 55, of Kaukauna, Wis.

He created the fictitious Commonwealth of New Island, which doesn't exist in the Indian Ocean to the west of Australia, according to Mothes, New Island Handbook.

Since no self-respecting nation would be without its own coinage, Mothes designed the roger-denominated fantasy coins, which were sculpted by Virginia Janssen, of Small Reliefs Studio, Green Bay, Wis.

The idea of the country and coin stemmed from Mothes' preferred medium, watercolor landscapes.

"I started doing landscapes, mainly from my own imagination," he said. "People kept asking me, 'Where are these places?' It got me thinking about a fictional island. Then logic dictated that I do a map and create a culture. With a culture, there must be a history."
Mothes realization of his fictitious land resulted in the New Island Handbook, which contains a detailed map, history, special holidays and much more on the country. It also features scenes of the island, which are actually his landscape watercolor paintings.

"When I first started with New Island, Virginia and I were talking, and she said I should do a coin," Mothes said. "Coins have always fascinated me the way the whole idea of a nation is condensed into one or two symbols."

He said the coin's denomination name came from New Island's fictititious spiritual leader, Roger Putney.

"It just seemed like a name that was fun and mischievous," he said.

Mothes said he used the Walking Liberty half dollar as a base to create the one roger's image of a New Island dancing woman, with the rays of the sun rising toward her, with WE ARE ONE and JOY as legends.

The reverse features a pelican and the names of the coin denomination and country.

One aspect of designing New Island's coinage momentarily threw Mothes off track.

"It was very different working with a round shape," he said. "I'm used to only dealing with a rectangular frame."

New Island coins have been produced at Hoffman Mint of Carmel, Calif. The brass coins are $22.50; and there are also 0.999 fine silver coins for $55, of which only 10 are available. The coins can be used towards purchases of Mothes's artwork.

For information on purchasing the coins, contact Mothes by writing 425 Dixon St., Kaukauna, WI 54310, e-mailing Mothesart@aol.com; or calling (800) 581-8960.

For more, background on New Island, see www.newisland.net online.

Mothes, other work, mostly watercolors, is currently on display at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay through May 5. The exhibition includes a section on New Island, with the plaster sculpts of the roger. Some of his artwork is also available for view online at www.oceansanddreams.com.