While the  major world mints are in quite a competition with each other in the current  numismatic marketplace, the end results are some very collectible artistic and historical renditions commemorating major events both past and  present.

But also in competition for their "slice of the pie" are the  various  private mints located both here in North America and in Europe.

Over the past year I have been receiving various samples of coins to be included in the forthcoming fifth edition of Unusual World Coins.

Two items  really caught my eye as the designs are superb and done by A. Shagin, who also did some wonderful designs for the Hutt River Province series. These two silver dollars were authorized by the Sovereign Nation of the Shawnee Tribe being struck in 0.999 fineness, and available both in uncirculated and  proof versions.

The dollar dated 2005 has the Shawnee Tribe's seal on the obverse, while the reverse has  a remarkable depiction of Lewis, Clark, their guide, Drouillard, and Sacagawea in a moving canoe on an angle. I might add that this is quite an engraving  feat in itself to illustrate depth in a flat surface. This piece commemorates the 200th anniversary of the "Expedition of Discovery".

The second dollar of the Shawnee Tribe dated 2006 has the similar obverse with the Tribal Seal, while on the reverse is a very detailed half-length figure depicting Tenskwatawa, "The Prophet".

Both coins are  superb examples of a private mint's abilities - at least as far as I am concerned. These came in a batch of other denominations including gold and  platinum commemoratives of the Shawnee Tribe submitted by Robert Mish, located in Menlo Park, Calif.  They are struck in similar denominations, weights and sizes as the commemoratives issued by the U.S. Mint. Mish can be reached by E-mail at Robert@MishInternational.com.