Damanhur
 
Federation of Damanhur is a spiritual commonwealth in the Piedmont region of Italy. It was built in 1977 by Oberto Airaudi and his small group of supporters. They settled in the Valchiusella Valley, in the Alpine foothills of northern Itlay. The capital of Damanhur is Damjl. Before it started in 1975 as the Horus Centre in Turin; a place where Airaudi could share the results of his religious research with the public, and also where he could commence a new phase of experimentation. Initially, he offered courses and conferences on meditation, philosophy, and healing. 

“Today, as a result of its constant ethical and social commitment, Damanhur is recognized in Italy as an Association of Social Advancement.” It has evolved into an internationally renowned center, with approximately 1,000 residents/participants forming a growing Federation of communities and regions. In Damanhur, “smoking is forbidden out of respect for others, for Nature and all living beings.”
One of their most amazing achievements is the ongoing construction of an underground temple. It is a series of interconnected rooms/halls, on different levels, each carved out of solid rock in the heart of a small mountain. It is rich in artistically resplendent mosaics, windows, paintings, and sculpture; it also houses the largest Tiffany-style stained glass cupola in the world. The digging and tunneling began in 1978, so more than 20 years of labor has been invested in the elaborate structure. Currently, this is Damanhur's main site: http://www.damanhur.org

 

Since 1998 the Federation of Damanhur has been a full member of GEN Europe. GEN (Global Eco-villages Network) is an NGO comprising hundreds of communities, people and research centers. GEN was founded in 1995. Its main aim is to support and encourage the evolution of sustainable settlements across the world. The UN has recognized GEN as a consulting member of its ECOSOC Commission.
 

Before 1999 1 Credito = 100 Cali = 1000 Italian Lira. Damnahir coins are tough to get. Through Erik V. McCrea's website I knew someone at Damanhur who might help me: Otaria Palma (otaria@damanhur.org). Although according to their new constitution the 1999 version coins are only legally valid,  I still managed to purchase the 10 Credito and 50 Creditos 1986 dated coins (shown above on the left side) along with 25 Creditos 1995 coin (shown above right). Details are as follow:
  • 10 Crediti, dated 1986, Silver metal, Weigh 3.9 grams, Diameter 19 mm with plain edge.
  • 25 Crediti, dated 1995, Silver metal, Weigh 11.5 grams, Diameter 25 mm with plain edge.
  • 50 Crediti, dated 1986, Silver metal, Weigh 5.8 grams, Diameter 20.5 mm with plain edge.

This remarkable internal economic system remains “in full compliance with Italian law” and its development is being carefully monitored by the Italian national bank. The Creditos are even taxed as if they were Euros.

 
“All Crediti carry a phrase in Sacred Language, the ideogrammatic language that characterizes Damanhurian art.” Damanhur's “complementary currency”, which is considered by experts to be the most sustainable one of its kind, fuels their community-owned businesses/services; most of these companies and cooperatives are united under the umbrella of something called the Dh Crea Consortium. The Damanhurian coins are universally accepted by this network of producers and consumers. “On arrival in the Federation it is possible to convert currency at the Welcome office or by means of specially located change machines positioned around the territories. Unused Crediti can easily be re-converted to Euro when necessary”. They have proven that “it is possible to revitalize an area that has become depressed as a result of de-industrialization. Since the Olivetti Company factory closed its doors in Valchiusella some twenty-five years ago, the population has declined from 50,000 inhabitants to 5,000.”
 

Denomination: 10 cali
Metal: Aluminium
Weight: 1.8 grams
Diameter:  15 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2004

Denomination: 20 cali
Metal: Aluminium
Weight: 2.0 grams
Diameter:  17 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2001, 2004

Denomination: 50 cali
Metal: Aluminium
Weight: 2.5 grams
Diameter:  20 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2001 

Denomination: 1 Credito
Metal: Bronzital (brass alloy)
Weight: 3.5 grams
Diameter:  21.5 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2000, 2002 

Denomination: 2 Crediti
Metal: Copper
Weight: 5.7 grams
Diameter:  24 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2002 

Denomination: 5 Crediti
Metal: Bronzital (brass alloy)
Weight: 6.1 grams
Diameter:  25 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2000 

Denomination: 10 Crediti
Metal: Nickel-silver (copper-nickel-zinc)
Weight: 9.6 grams
Diameter:  27 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2002 

Denomination: 20 Crediti
Metal: Bronzital ring, Nickel-silver core
Weight: 8.75 grams
Diameter:  27 mm.
Edge type: plain

Confirmed years: 1999, 2003 

 

The details about their coins/currency can be viewed at

 http://www.damanhur.info/en/html/ArcMagazineDet.asp?IDArt=37#  and

 http://www.damanhur.it/credito/en/

Lastly, I would thank Mr. Chaim Dov Shiboleth for the information and scans on these coins provided. His complete private listing on Damanhur coins can be viewed at: http://home.versatel.nl/shiboleth/damanhur1.html.

 
 
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