Grand Duchy of Westarctica
 
 

Regin of Grand Duke Travis I [Travis McHenry] 02nd Nov 2001 - 14th Jan 2006
 
GRAND DUCHY OF WESTARCTICA: In August 2001, “an enterprising young man” named Travis McHenry (this resident of Norfolk, Virginia “is descended from the High Kings of Ireland and is a direct descendant of Patrick McHenry, Baron of Dunluce in the 1600s. Travis retains this title and is known throughout the United Kingdom as Baron Dunluce.”) discovered that a large wedge-shaped portion of Antarctica, known as Marie Byrd Land, in West/Lesser Antarctica was the only unclaimed sector of the continent.
This unclaimed territory is from 90°W to 150°W (except the Peter I Island). Upon further research, “he realizes that the Antarctic Treaty only prevents governments from issuing new claims to Antarctic lands, but does not prevent individuals acting on their own accord from doing such. He resolves to claim the area for himself, his family and his friends.” His “first and most immediate concern became the future of this untamed area. I decided to prevent any greedy corporation from polluting the territory by claiming it as my own.” At first, Consul-General McHenry calls his unheld chunk of western Antarctica (including all its seas and ice shelves) the “New Land Claim”, but later changes the name to the Achaean Territory (in honor of the heroes in “The Iliad”). On October 31, 2001, he signs a claimant letter declaring his intention to establish the Achaean Territory of Antarctica. But the actual date of the foundation of the Achaean Territory is November 2nd, 2001: McHenry secures his possessor ship by notifying nine world governments of his actions and intentions; he sends this letter to the polar administration offices of Russia, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, the United States, and the United Kingdom. They did not challenge him in his endeavors, so McHenry presumed his claim was valid. On June 10th, 2004, the Consul-General dissolves the Chancellery and proclaims the establishment of an interim/provisional government — a sovereign Grand Duchy named Westarctica. Travis McHenry assumes the position of Grand Duke. On June 13, 2004, His Eminence “has an epiphany” and pledges to make the new Grand Duchy a Christian nation. Their Constitution, the Grand Ducal Mandate, is decreed on June 30th, 2004. Capital: Peter I Island (claimed by Norway). There are about 200 foreign scientists working and living within the Grand Duchy's borders. Dependencies: Balleny Islands, Overseas Territory. Independence: 2 November 2001 (as Achaean Territory). Constitution: Grand Ducal Mandate decreed 30 June 2004.
Since June 2002, the Monarchy has been split into two major Grand Duchies: the Duchy of Ellsworth and the Duchy of Byrd. There are also ten other minor regions (Marquisates, Baronies, Vicounties). “The citizens of Westarctica do not currently reside within its geographic borders, but a relocation project has been underway since 2003 to build new cities and restore old research stations for use as living and working quarters.” Eventually, however, other pursuits came Travis’ way. “I was no longer able to function as the ruler of my icy domain, and therefore I passed responsibility for leadership onto the most capable of my many noblemen.” On January 14, 2006, Travis abdicated his throne and transferred the title, office, and all responsibilities of Grand Duke to the former Duke of Ravencroft (Minister of Information), who was subsequently crowned as Grand Duke Philip of Westarctica. The two men signed declarations of succession, which made the changeover official. “HSM Grand Duke Philip vows to continue on the path that his predecessor has started us all upon, working towards recognition of Westarctica as a fully-functional and operational world government/entity.” According to Travis, who has not been involved with the project for a number of years, “the project was a success in some ways…The amount of people I was able to attract was pretty impressive, towards the end, we had a citizen count of over 50 people. The current Grand Duke has shut down the website [http://www.westarctica.com/] due to increasing maintenance costs and has informed me that the project is no longer functioning as an active government, although he still considers himself the heir of the claim to the territory.”
Furthermore, the older Achaean Territory site still exists and is “maintained for a historical record”: http://www.geocities.com/achaeanterritory/.
 
Westarctica's first 3 coins, all of them versions of the 2005 1 Westarctican Dollar (WA$1), are made of timber: one commemorates the 75th anniversary of Richard E. Byrd's first expedition; another shows three emperor penguins; another celebrates their Constitution, and the date in which it was adopted.

Westarctica $1 Year: 2005 Emperor Penguins. Material: Printed timber. Mintage: 200 pieces. Weight: 2.8 g. Diameter: 38 mm. Edge type: Plain.
Westarctica $1 Year: 2005 1st Constitution anniversary of Westarctica. Material: Printed timber. Mintage: 200 pieces. Weight: 2.8 g. Diameter: 38 mm. Edge type: Plain.
Westarctica $1 Year: 2005 Byrd Expedition Anniversary. Material: Printed timber. Mintage: 200 pieces. Weight: 2.8 g. Diameter: 38 mm. Edge type: Plain.
 

10 Westarctican Dollars. Grand Duke Travis I. Year: 2005. Material: Nickel-plated, colorfully adorned with green and yellow enameled. Mintage: 175. Diameter: 39.3 mm. Edge type: Plain.

 

http://www.westarctica.com was a website dedicated to the Westarctica country which is yet to be recognized by the entire world. The website is no longer functional. This website displayed the country’s national anthem, constitution, and a photo of the His Serene Majesty Grand Duke Travis, the ruler of this small country. The constitution has in total 7 chapters and 63 Articles. The website, maintained by the Duke of Raven croft, proclaimed by the Grand Duke as a member of the Nobility and the Minister of Information for the Westarctica Monarchy, is a well designed one and provides good historical details of the Duke and His Majesty’s ancestors. The preamble of the country’s constitution says that His Serene Majesty, Grand Duke Travis, desiring peace, solidarity and prosperity for the continent of Antarctica; hereby establishes the Grand Duchy of Westarctica in the former Achaean Territory of Antarctica (He resolves to claim the area for himself, his family and his friends. At this time, Travis calls it the “New Land Claim.” The name is later changed to the Achaean Territory, in honor of the heroes of The Iliad, which Travis is reading at the time).
 

Grand Duke Travis was born (birthday 04th June) and resides in the United States. During his teenage years, Travis worked as a sales associate for his father’s company where he learned the in and outs of business. From 1997 to 2000 he pursued his University career at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where he dual majored in Theatre Arts and Anthropology.  He abandoned a successful career in acting to join the military in early 2001. Between 2001 and 2004, he completed three successful naval deployments and fought in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning numerous honors and awards. He was also a part of the operation to remove President Taylor from power in Liberia in 2003. Travis was installed as the Consul-General of the Achaean Territory  Antarctica on November 2, 2001. His coronation took place (before the formal independence papers had been signed) in a castle of Alexander the Great in Marmaris, Turkey. The crown used in the ceremony was made of solid 14kt gold and handcrafted by local Turkish jeweler Ferhat Ozyalcin. On June 6, 2004, Grand Duke Travis became a Christian (as evidenced in his 13 June 2004 public letter) and shortly after he formally reorganized the Achaean Territory into the Grand Duchy of Westarctica. His Serene Majesty married Cathryn, the Marquise of Walgreen, on November 13, 2004. They have one heir, His Serene Highness Archduke Ashton Roman McHenry. Grand Duke Travis is continuing his education, taking courses through Harvard Business School Online.  He has keen love for the out of doors and he spends most of his leisure time hiking through the dense wilderness of North America. His favorite sporting activities include golf, sailing, and shooting.  He also likes music; especially classical and contemporary Christian music, fine art, opera, and theatre. Personal website: www.travismchenry.com
 
Significant Events in the History of Westarctica:
 
17 May 2005: Treaty of mutual recognition, cooperation, and friendship is signed with the Republic of Molossia.
05 May 2005: Statute for the Autonomy of the Balleny Islands is approved by His Majesty.
20 April 2005: Westarctica's first postage stamps are produced.
18 April 2005: His Majesty writes to the Presidents of Laos and Eritrea requesting the immediate release of two religious prisoners being because of their Christian faith.

 
 
25 Dollars 2006 CuNi. Diameter: 39 mm. Mintage: 100 pieces. Similarly Molossia issued a 50 Valora CuNi coin dated 2006 to show an evidence of mutual friendship.
 
17 April 2005: While visiting Spain, the Grand Duchess discovers that she is pregnant with a second heir to the Westarctican throne.
06 April 2005: Prince Rainier III, a Knight in the Noble Order of Westarctica, dies. His Serene Highness is the first Knight of Westarctica to pass away. The Knighthood is given to his son, Prince Albert II.
02 April 2005: Pope John Paul II is posthumously made a Knight Commander of the Holy Order of The Cross.
23 March 2005: Theologian Roger Kuiper of the Mars Sovereignty project is given a title and lands in Westarctica. Risen to the rank of Duke, he is also appointed Minister of Theocratic Affairs and Minister of the Interior.
01 March 2005: Central Bank of Westarctica is formally established.
March 2005: COLORS Magazine, an international publication, reports that Westarctica's claim to Antarctic land is as valid as any nation in the Antarctic Treaty.
21 February 2005: The Viscount of Reynolds, Justin Rich, is disbarred from the Baronage due to his lack of ability.
12 February 2005: The Grand Duke of Luxembourg writes a short letter thanking Grand Duke Travis for his sympathies.
17 February 2005: Grand Duke Travis sends a letter of support to the King of Nepal in response to his efforts to eliminate the Maoist insurgents from Nepal. King Gyanendra is made an honorary Knight in the Noble Order of Westarctica.
13 February 2005: The Cabinet and Baronage are reorganized to accommodate upcoming land sale plan.
14 January 2005: Westarctica formally annexes the Balleny Islands from New Zealand.
11 January 2005: The Royal Family sends a letter of condolence to Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg concerning the passing of his mother.
22 November 2004: Requests for diplomatic recognition are sent to the governments of Taiwan, Latvia, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
20 November 2004: Knighthood in the Noble Order of Westarctica is bestowed on 11 reigning monarchs from around the world.
13 November 2004: The Statue of Autonomy for the Viscounty of Siple is approved by the Grand Duke. It establishes a legislative branch within the Viscounty and increases the Viscount's power over his region.
13 November 2004: The Grand Duke marries Cathryn, the Marquise of Walgreen, in a private ceremony. She is officially proclaimed the Grand Duchess.
01 October 2004: All new titles are officially confirmed.
15 July 2004: The Grand Duke issues a strongly worded demarche to the President of Sudan through the Sudanese ambassador to the United States.
30 June 2004: The Grand Ducal Mandate is passed into law and becomes the constitution of the Grand Duchy of Westarctica. Grand Duke Travis abolishes all the old titles and appoints new members of the Baronage and nobility.
13 June 2004: The Interim Grand Duke has an epiphany of a cross with a crown around it and is inspired to design the new flag, he also publicly repents for his sins and pledges to make the new Grand Duchy a Christian nation.
10 June 2004: The Consul-General dissolves the Chancellery and proclaims the establishment of an interim government. He will become Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Westarctica.
06 June 2004: The Consul-General repents his past sins, placing his devotion in the Holy Trinity. Becomes a Christian.
05 June 2004: His Eminence has a “religious experience” with Cathryn, the future Marquise of Walgreen and changes his views on Christianity.
11 May 2004: The Consular-Consort is disbarred from the nobility and exiled from the Achaean Territory. The Prince Imperial still retains his right to the throne.
12 February 2004: An ambitious usurper calling himself “Lord Protector of Antarctica,” attempts to claim a portion of the Walgreen coast for himself and his family. He is offered an Earldom encompassing the approximate area and liberal freedom to appoint nobles under him. The man refuses and correspondence is ceased.
10 February 2004: The Prince Imperial, and heir to the throne, Ashton Roman, is born to the Consular-Consort.
25 September 2003: The Consular-Consort is appointed.
30 June 2003: The Consul-General returns from the deployment to Iraq, a hero.
19 June 2003: The Earldom of Truett is established in the Rockefeller Dukedom and ruled by Jeffery Truett.
17 March 2003: The U.S. declared war on Iraq with the support of Britain, Spain and Bulgaria. The Consul-General is on a ship 65 miles off the coast of Iraq. The Achaean Territory is officially neutral, but supports the war. His Eminence has the primary mission of Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection analyst. He is to receive a letter of commendation from the admiral for his actions.
12 January 2003: The Consul-General is deployed to the Persian Gulf in anticipation of war with Iraq.
22 December 2002: Achaean Royal Charter is promulgated throughout the Territory.
05 December 2002: Achaean Royal Charter is decreed by the Consul-General.
02 November 2002: First anniversary of the issuance of the claimant letter, no nation has yet challenged it.
10 August 2002: Achaean Civil Code is promulgated throughout the Territory.
02 August 2002: Achaean Civil Code is decreed by the Consul-General and the Chancellery.
26 March 2002: Battle Hymn of the Civil Defense Force is written.
June 2002: The Consul-General restructures the Nobility and the Achaean Territory is split into two Grand Duchies. George Morin is appointed Grand Duke of Ellsworth and the Grand Duchy of Byrd is saved for the future heir to the throne. Duke of Walgreen's lands increase twofold.
28 January 2002: The Radlinski Earldom is established in the Whitmore Dukedom and granted to the Countess Jeanne Morin, sister of the Duke of Ellsworth.
15 November 2001: First appointments are made: George Morin, Duke of Ellsworth; Joseph Day, Duke of Walgreen; Neil Whitmoyer, Duke of Whitmore; Benjamin King, Duke of Rockefeller. All members accept their titles except Benjamin, who chooses to have nothing to do with the administration.
02 November 2001: The claimant letter is sent to the polar administration offices of Russia, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Actual date of the foundation of the Achaean Territory.
31 October 2001: Consul-General Travis signs the claimant letter declaring his intention to establish the Achaean Territory of Antarctica in Western Antarctica.
October 2001: Travis spends the month corresponding with scientists in Antarctica to brainstorm possibilities for building an infrastructure and attempting to find out more about living and working on the continent.
August 2001: While doing research on obscure parts of the world, Travis discovers that a large slice of Antarctica, known as Marie Byrd Land, Western Antarctica, or Lesser Antarctica is the only piece of the continent not claimed by a world government. Researching the possibilities further, he realizes that the Antarctic Treaty only prevents governments from issuing new claims to Antarctic lands, but does not prevent individuals acting on their own accord from doing such.
 
GOVERNMENT OF THE BALLENY ISLANDS: Located in the peri-Antarctic region (islands and archipelagos situated outside/north of the Antarctic Convergence Zone), they form part of the Ross Dependency, which is claimed by New Zealand. All the Westarctica coins were minted by: Central Bank of the Grand Duchy of Westarctica through the idea of Mr. Jorge Fernández Vidal, of A Coruña, a city in an autonomous region of northwestern Spain named Galicia. He learned about these islands on the Internet, while he was trying to find claimable land in Antarctica to serve as a “base” for his numismatic undertaking. “I settled on the Balleny Islands coin-project in March 2004”. He also discovered, based on a close reading of the Antarctic Treaty (signed in Washington D.C. on 1 December 1959 and entered into force/ratified on 23 June 1961) and a few related articles, that the islands perhaps did not belong to New Zealand after all, and were therefore still up for grabs. The Balleny islands were not a part of New Zealand's claim to begin with; only subsequent to signing the Treaty did New Zealand assert its right to the lands in question. In Mr. Vidal's view, they were still surrounded by international waters, “officially unclaimed. A beautiful free land to mint a coin.” Soon afterwards, he stumbled upon the Westarctica Web-site. He was amazed, and applied for citizenship. Luckily, the Balleny Islands were clearly outside of the official Westarctican “wedge”, and had not been included in McHenry's claim. On Westarctica's major map, they were shown as being in the neighboring, N.Z. slice of the chilly, white pie. Mr. Vidal also asked the Grand Duke if he intended to mint a coin; sure enough, he was told that Westarctica was actually seeking a “head” to be in charge of a numismatic project. This was, of course, a perfect role for Mr. Vidal, who became Westarctica's Minister of the Treasury (he was responsible for minting all of the Westarctica coins listed above. McHenry’s “involvement was limited to some creative input and final approval of the coin designs.” The two gentlemen “had an arrangement whereby Jorge would accept 100% of the risk in minting” and Travis “would get three copies of every coin set as a ‘tribute.’”). So this is how a serendipitous union of two separate projects came to pass. Balleny became a colony of Westarctica when Westarctica formally annexed it from New Zealand on January 14, 2005. Mr. Vidal was appointed its Governor, and Balleny was given special status/autonomy. He was granted another title: Count of Sturge.
 
Balleny Islands Bronze Essai $1. Obverse: Map of the Balleny Islands.Reverse: Arms of the Balleny Islands. Year: 2005. Mintage: 150 Only. Weight: 10 g. Diameter: 25.4 mm. Edge type: Plain.
 
Balleny Islands Silver Essai $1. Obverse: Map of the Balleny Islands.Reverse: Arms of the Balleny Islands. Year: 2005. Mintage: 20 pieces. Diameter: 25.4 mm. Edge type: Plain.
 
The obverse of the 2005 Balleny $1 coin bears the Westarctica coat-of-arms. The reverse depicts the groups's three main volcanic islands: Young, Buckle, and Sturge (as a tribute to John Balleny, the map chosen by Mr. Vidal is based on the first one made of the region by that English sealer/whaling captain in 1839). The English whaling captains John Balleny and Thomas Freeman first sighted the group in 1839: Freeman was the first person to land on any of the islands on February 09 1839, and it was the first landing south of the Antarctic Circle. The words “Westarctica Territories” further confirm Balleny's ties to its adoptive Grand Duchy. It is to be used solely in the Ballany Island colony and its dependencies. Total area of 781.8 km². Highest point: Russel Peak (1524m) on Sturge Island. Buckle Island and the nearby Sabrina Islet are home to several colonies of Adelie and Chinstrap penguins. The islands form part of the Ross Dependency, claimed by New Zealand.
The Balleny Islands (66°55'S, 163°45'E) form a chain of uninhabited, mainly volcanic, islands in the Southern Ocean stretching from 66°15' to 67°35'S and 162°30' to 165°00'E. The group forms a chain that extends for about 160 km in a northwest-southeast direction. The islands are heavily glaciated and are of volcanic origin. Ice tongues project from their slopes into the sea. The islands were formed by the Balleny hotspot.
The islands and rocks from north to south: Young Island and satellite islets, Seal Rocks, Pillar, Young Island, Row Island, Borradaile Island (with Swan Base, a shelter hut), Beale Pinnacle, Buckle Island and satellite islets, Buckle Island, Scott Cone, Eliza Cone, Chinstrap Islet, Sabrina Island (with Sabrina Refuge, a shelter hut), The Monolith and Sturge Island (no satellite islets), Sturge Island.
 
GOVERNMENT OF PETER I ISLAND: Located in the Bellinghausen Sea, and claimed by Norway. It is the only oceanic island in the extreme South Pacific zone of the Southern Ocean. Peter I Island (in Norwegian Peter 1.s øy) is a volcanic island located near Antarctica. It was discovered by Fabian von Bellingshausen off West Antarctica on January 21, 1821. It takes its name after the Russian emperor Peter I. Ola Olstad made the first successful landing on February 02, 1929 and claimed the island for Norway. The other Antarctic territory claimed by Norway is Queen Maud Land. Peter I Island is the only Antarctic claim area under the Antarctic Treaty that is not a sector. The island has an area of 243 km² and reaches a height of 1755 metres on Lars Christensen Peak, which is a volcano. It is not known whether it is extinct or not, for the upper part is apparently unmodified by glaciation. It lies approximately 450 km from Eights Coast. It is surrounded by pack ice except for a brief period in late summer, and is 95% glaciated.
 
$1 Year: 2005. Material: Bronze Essai. Mintage: 850. Diameter: 38.4 mm. Edge type: Reeded.
$5 Year: 2005. Material: Cupro-nickel Essai. Mintage: 300. Diameter: 38.4 mm. Edge type: Reeded
$5 Year: 2005. Material: Silver Essai. Mintage: 30. Diameter: 38.4 mm. Edge type: Reeded
 
GOVERNMENT OF THURSTON ISLAND: This (72°06'S, 99°00'W) is an ice-covered, glacially dissected offshore island 215 km long, 90 km wide and 15,700 km² in area in West Antarctica, within the Antarctic Circle. Situated between the Bellinghausen and Amundsen Seas, it lies a short way off the NW end of Ellsworth Land and is separated from the mainland by Peacock Sound. According to the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, all islands south of 60°S latitude don't belong to any country; this includes all of the antarctic islands (those in the Southern Ocean or in the seas around Antarctica south of the Antarctic Circle) and some of the sub-antarctic islands (those in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica north of the Antarctic Circle).
It is the third largest island of Antarctica, after Alexander Island and Berkner Island. The island is separated from the mainland by Peacock Sound, which is occupied by the western portion of Abbot Ice Shelf. The island was discovered from the air by Rear Admiral Byrd on February 27, 1940, who named it for W. Harris Thurston, New York textile manufacturer, designer of the windproof "Byrd Cloth" and sponsor of Antarctic expeditions. Originally charted as a peninsula, the feature was not recognised an island until 1960.
 
$1 Brass dated: 2006. Humpback whales. 39.2mm. Edge: Reeded. Mintage: 10 pieces.
$1 Nickel-Silver dated: 2006. Humpback whales. 39.2mm. Edge: Reeded. Mintage: 10 pieces.
This coin has also been produced in Bronze (450 pieces), Copper (10 pieces) and Silver (30 pieces).
 

Regin of Grand Duke Philip I [Philip Karns] 14th Jan 2006 - 30th Jun 2008
 

14 January 2006

Royal Decree of the Abdication of Grand Duke Travis I of Westarctica

 In light of repeated requests by my family to give up the rudder of state that I have hewn from the ice of the Antarctic continent and focus instead on the lordship of the Barony of Dunluce Castle and the leadership of the McHenry Family Clan, I hereby abdicate the royal throne of Westarctica and forfeit the right of succession for my sons and all my descendants.

As I do not wish to place unrealistic burdens on my beloved son Archduke Ashton, I hereby transmit the right of succession and the office of Grand Duke of Westarctica to Philip Karns, Duke of Ravencroft, Minister of Information, and Knight of the Order of Merit.  I direct him to conduct the affairs of state in full and inviolable union with the representatives of the nobles in the Baronage on those principles which have been established, and on which he will take an inviolable oath.

I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden of state. I shall always follow the fortunes of Westarctica with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.

And now, there is a new Grand Duke.  I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God save Westarctica!  God save the Grand Duke!

Given under my hand on this day,

Travis, former Grand Duke of Westarctica
 
A picture of  Grand Duke Philip and Grand Duchess Melinda of Westarctica.

Whilst in power, it seems that Grand Duke Philip launched a “replacement” Web-site. According to the Mission Statement found at the Westarctica Ministry of the Environment (http://www.freewebs.com/westarcticadevelopment/index.htm), “At this point in time none of you probably have been present in our homeland. Our government is one in exile. Still Westarctica is much more than yet another micronation. Our nation is more than just a few web pages on the internet.

A lot of work is being done behind the scenes. Very dedicated people are trying to realise the founding of a new country. Westantarctica will become a wonderful place to life. Some describe the surroundings of Antarctica and it's nature as a piece of heaven on earth.

But there is a big threat to that nice picture of our nation's surroundings and it's future. Although one of the harshest environments on the planet, Westarctica is also one of the most vulnerable, we must feel committed to protect for our next generation of Westarcticans. Despite the vastness of our country, and its harsh climate, the Westarctic environment is very vulnerable to human impact. Without controls, those who come to visit this wilderness as tourists, scientists or in support roles, may damage the very values that attract them. To protect the Westarctica species of animals we established the Ministry of the Environment.”
 
SHERMAN ISLAND: (72°40'S, 099°45'W) is an ice-covered island of Antarctica about 51 km long and 16 km wide, lying south of Thurston Island in the middle of Peacock Sound. The feature rises above the Abbot Ice Shelf which occupies the sound.
 

$1 Year : 2006. Material: Copper-Nickel / Silver plating. Diameter: 39 mm. Mintage: 200 pieces
$1 Year : 2006. Material: Copper-Nickel / Gold plating. Diameter: 39 mm. Mintage: 10 pieces
 
It's a commemorative coin of the explorer Roald Amundsen 1872 - 1928 (the Sherman Island is in the Amundsen Sea). The coat of arms of Westarctica, and the letters (WT) in the front, and they're part of the WESTARCTICAN TERRITORIES issues (to avoid further claims over their territories).
 
CARNEY ISLAND: The coins have been made in 2.5 Westarctican Dollar 39mm diameter dated 2007 in Copper-nickel/ Gold plating (10 pieces) and Copper-nickel/ Silver plating (200 pieces).

Carney Island (73°57'S, 121°00'W) is an ice-covered formation, 110 km long and about 8,500 km² in area, with all but its northern coast lying within the Getz Ice Shelf. It is located between Siple Island and Wright Island along the coast of Marie Byrd Land, in West Antarctica. The Getz Ice Shelf is an extensive icy platform located along the Hobbs and Bakutis coasts of Marie Byrd Land (ice shelves are permanent, floating sheets of super-thick ice that are attached to land and are constantly fed by glaciers). The Getz Ice Shelf, which stretches out into the Amundsen Sea, is held in position by Carney Island other nearby islands.
 
Also a $10 coin 26mm diameter dated 2008 has been produced in Copper-nickel-brass (100 pieces) on the current ruler of Westarctica Grand Duke Philip I.
 

GRANT, SIPLE, PINE and BURK ISLANDS:  Triangle coins dated 2008 of 25 Westarctican cents for Grant, Siple, Pine and Burk Islands in copper has also been produced. Each having a shape of 33.2mm x 16.8mm. and Mintage: 200 pieces. Grant Island coin features the Antarctic Skua (Catharacta antarctica) is often referred to as Brown Skua. Siple Island features a Dolphin Gull (Larus scoresbii), a coastal bird sometimes erroneously called the Red-billed Gull. Pine Island features the King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), whic is the second largest species of penguin at about 90 cm (3 ft) tall and weighing 11 to 16 kg (24 to 35 lb), second only to the Emperor Penguin. Burk Island features the sheathbills. They are confined to Antarctic regions, and are the only Antarctic birds without webbed feet. Together all these four triangle forms a square of 35 mm x 35 mm and combined value of one Westarctican Dollar. These islands are considered to be part of Westarctican Territories.

Grant Island is an ice-covered island, 20 miles long and 10 miles wide, lying 5 miles east of the smaller Shepard Island off the coast of Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica. Grant Island is located at 74°28'S, 131°35'W. Grant Island was discovered by personnel on the USS Glacier on February 4, 1962.

Siple Island is a 110 km long snow-covered island lying east of Wrigley Gulf along the Getz Ice Shelf off Bakutis Coast of Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica. Its centre is located at 73°39'S, 125°12'W. Its area is 6,390 km² and it is dominated by the dormant shield volcano Mount Siple, rising to 3,110 m - making this the 17th ranking island in the world by maximum altitude.

Pine Island (75°10'S, 100°0'W) is a broad glacier flowing west-northwest along the south side of the Hudson Mountains into Pine Island Bay, Amundsen Sea, Antarctica. It was discovered in December 1946.

Burk Island (aka Burke Island) is an ice-covered island about 16 miles long and 6 miles wide, lying 37 miles southwest of Cape Waite, King Peninsula, in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica. Burk Island is located at 73.13° S 105.1° W. It was discovered in January 1960.
 
The Westarctica coins, were designed and produced by Mr Jorge Vidal, a member of the USNS, who also serves as Westarctica’s Minister of the Treasury. Mr. Vidal has rapidly become an ubiquitous presence in our corner of “unusual” numismatics. His laudable contributions are ongoing, and he has already made such a positive impact in our hobby that we may even have to start referring to our micronational/fantasy coins as those having been issued B.J.E. (Before the Jorge Era) and A.J.E. (After the Jorge Era). Mr. Vidal has lent a helping hand to several aspiring coin-makers: “Sometimes, enthusiasts with a nice project cannot mint a coin, because they do not have the resources or because they don't know how to do it.” When these folks lack the sufficient wherewithal (the proper channels of distribution, time) Mr. Vidal is able to offer them whatever help they require, even “designing, producing, and distributing some of the coins.” As of November 2007, Mr. Vidal finally has his own Web-site, where we can marvel at this pre-eminent numismatist’s ever-expanding output/catalogue: http://www.jfvcoins.com/index.html.
 

Regin of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence Langer 30th Jun 2008 - 03rd Jun 2010
 
According to Jon-Lawrence Langer: "I am the third man to serve as the Grand Duke of Westarctica. I designed the blazon for Westarctica that appears on many of our country's coins. During the reign of Travis I, I held the title of Duke of Byrd and served in the Cabinet as Westarctica's Herald. During the reign of Phillip I my holdings were renamed as the Duchies of Moulton and Berlin. A new website for Westarctica was created as www.Westarctica.org.
He resides in Pennsylvania, USA like Phillip I. His full title is known as: Jon-Lawrence, Lord of Morrow, Duke of Moulton-Berlin, Count of Byrd, Baron of Baldwin and Schuylkill, Knight Comander of the Order of the Holy Cross, and Grand Knight of the Holy Order of Saints, Cavalier of the Order of Cravant Dragoons 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
According to Travis I: "Jon-Lawrence was an integral part of getting Westarctica up and running in the early days and he has been a loyal (and active) supporter for a very long time. When Grand Duke Philip's leadership began to falter, Jon-Lawrence offered to pick up the reigns of government, and with the consent of both myself and Philip, he has been installed as the third Grand Duke of Westarctica."
Shepard Island and Wright Island are uninhabited, ice covered islands that are part of the Westarctica Territories. Westarctica has produced 5 Dollars coin on each of these Islands, dated 2009. They have 39mm in diameter, struck in a nickel alloy and have a mintage of only 200 pieces each. The Shepard Island issue pictures a bird while the Wright Island issue pictures a whale. A map of Antarctica and the Westarctican arms are on the reverse of both coins.
On June 3rd, 2010 the founder of Westarctica, Travis McHenry resumed power after removing Jon-Lawrence Langer as head of state after several micronational disputes and complaints. McHenry abolished the grand duchy and replaced it by the Protectorate of Westarctica. Together with this reforms Westarctica adopted a new flag, reduced the claim land and joined the Antarctic Micronational Union (AMU).
 
 
Micro-Nations
 
Chiefa Coins