Stars on coins

[<k>]

Portugal, $10, 1972.

What is the meaning of the four stars?

[chrisild]

As so often, I have no idea but can nevertheless provide two possible answers.   The Schön catalog that I have says that the ship on the other side is the carrack "San Rafael". That ship was one of four (!!) used for the expedition to Portuguese India, see here (Wikipedia, German).

Another explanation: Portuguese ships going to India would often try and get around major "wind circles" (see here: Wikipedia, English, "Outward voyage" section). So they went from Europe via South America and Africa to India. Thus four continents, except the ships would usually not land in S.A., and (at least in the first years) the latter was not known to be a separate continent.

So I vote for the fours ships. Unless somebody comes up with a better explanation.

[<k>]

Nigeria, 2 naira, 2006.

Why the two stars? Two naira, two stars?

Or do they represent the two chambers of parliament?

[<k>]

Libya, quarter dinar, 2014.  Obverse.

The Libyan coins of 2014 / 2017 show 17 stars on their obverses.

Do these 17 stars have a symbolic meaning?

See:  Coins of the Libyan civil war period of 2014 to 2017.

[<k>]

Malaysia, standard coinage of 1967.

In 1967 Malaysia issued its first national coinage.

The common reverse featured the parliament building and a star and crescent.




Malaysia, 1 ringgit, 1971.

In 1971 Malaysia added a 1 ringgit coin.

Here the symbolic star and crescent were much larger.

The star's shape was also significantly different.

[<k>]

Comoros.   Stars and the crescent moon.