This European mint created world’s first flying coin

Mennica Polska has been known for pushing the envelope when it comes to unusual currency formats

At the start of this week, the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first flying coin. Yes, you heard that right. It’s a prototype for legal tender that hovers in the air.

The unusual currency, called UFO MP-1766, was presented at the Technical Forum in Berlin, as part of the prestigious industry event World Money Fair 2024.

Although touted as a flying coin, a better description would be a levitating or floating coin as it spins in the air. As its name suggests, it resembles a miniature futuristic alien spaceship, replete with glow-in-the-dark features thanks to the use of fluorescent paint.

What makes it hover in the air is a motor inside it which creates a magnetic field between the coin and a specially designed base below. It also keeps the coin spinning.

Although it looks more like a novelty toy, its creators have stated that the coin will in fact be legal tender with a nominal value of 2.69 euros, although its real value will be higher than that. If you’re wondering how they came up with that specific value – well, there’s more to unwrap there.

The world of money innovation

The name of the coin contains the number 1766, which pays homage to the year when the Mint of Poland was founded. It also points to the value of 1,766 Cameroonian francs, which according to the current exchange rate is about 2.69 euros.

The coin was created from an order from the Bank of Cameroon since only national central banks have the right to issue new money.

The Mint of Poland, however, already has a tradition of getting inventive with currency formats. Its portfolio includes the world’s first “spatial coin” (one made in a non-conventional 3-D shape) and a cylindrical coin. That’s in addition to minting regular and commemorative coins for the National Bank of Poland.