Many years ago, the Sõrve Peninsula was divided into 2 municipalities: Torgu and Salme. In Soviet times, they were united. Then, in the summer of 1992, there were administrative reforms. Salme, but not Torgu, was re-established according to the old boundaries. In September of that year, Mr. Leevi Häng, the president of the Society for Restoration and Development of Sõrve, protested to the newspapers. He publicly declared the Estonian Kingdom of Torgu, and offered the throne to Mr. Teiter, who in turn accepted. In October, the country's first elections (after Russian occupation) were held, and Mr. Teiter was elected as a member of the Riigikogu; including his own, the “Royalists” won 8 seats (out of 101). The results of this popular referendum were a surprise to the politicians, journalists, and everyone else involved. On November 28, the quasi-koenig was formally appointed king, in title, during a ball in Kuressaare. On December 9, the Riigikogu approved a decision on the establishment of local government status to several administrative units, including Torgu. This apparently was satisfactory to Mr. Teiter (now Kirill the First), who had 2 days earlier submitted a draft resolution because the government had failed to address the Torgu situation in a timely manner. Though Torgu was not given full-blown Kingdom-rights, he still achieved his goal, which had been to restore county-rights to the circa 500 citizens who would otherwise not have the right to vote in matters of self-rule during future elections. On December 18, he was crowned by the Saaremaa Selts (Ösel Society) during a coronation ceremony in Tallinn. He was originally going to be crowned as the King of Saaremaa, but at the last moment, the islanders became fearful of political complications/repercussions and presented him with a crown solely for Torgu. And this was not a gift, either; he had to pay 500 Krooni for this honor. Also, the crown was the leftist National Front's way of protesting against the right-wing Pro Patria party's ultra-liberal privatization policy. In March of 1993, self-government county-rights were officially restored to Torgu.
So for a few years, Kirill I was the “eye-stopper king” of Torgu. There were parties, interviews for television shows, an upsurge in tourism, and meetings with foreign investors. He left Parliament in 1995. He now lives in Tallinn, and is a group commander and specialist who co-ordinates all mass-media and public relations activities for their Fire and Rescue Department. He refers to himself as the king-in-exile, and he still has the costly crown in his “book-cupboard”. The daily demands of royalty can be very taxing on an ordinary, non-blue-blooded person; in his own words, “naturally I have not so much money to be a real or irreal king.”

01. ½ L Viru Valge 1993 coin, First issue, issued on 23rd June with mintage of 2000 pieces with 32mm diameter and weights 12g. It is made of brass alloy with plain edge.

02. ½ L Viru Valge 1998 “V” coin was issued in the summer of that year, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the 1st coin with mintage of 500 pieces with 32mm diameter and weights 13g. It is made of copper-nickel-zinc alloy with plain edge.

03. ½ L Viru Valge 2002 “X” coin commemorating the Kingdom's 10th anniversary was issued with mintage 250 pieces with 32mm diameter and weights 13g. It is made of copper-nickel-zinc alloy with plain edge.

04. ½ L Viru Valge 2002, the fourth coin, celebrates King Kirill's personal 50th birthday/Jubilee “L” coin on 25.08.2002, it was issued with mintage of 75 pieces with 32mm diameter and weights 13g. It is made of gold-plated copper-nickel-zinc with plain edge.

Notably, one of the first coins was presented to former Estonian President Lennart Meri.

The first 2 coins were ostensibly worth a 50 centiliter (1/2 liter) bottle of Estonian white vodka in the confines of the Kingdom. Mr. Teiter confirms that Torgu's coinage still changes hands as actual money. They are accepted by merchants and bartenders, and because their purchasing power is pegged to that of “Viru Valge”/Estonian White, their commercial worth has risen 300% in 10 years. In 1993 the value of 1 coin was 20-25 EEK; in 1998 it increased to 40 EEK; in 2003 it climbed to 60-70 EEK.