Some countries are established through bloodshed. Some existed because of the love of freedom and some are formed as a result of geographical isolation. But would you believe that some were created perhaps because of the love for numismatics? Read along to learn about the fictional Kingdom of Kamberra.
The Kingdom of Kamberra, known as a haven of peace, sharing, well-being, and tolerance, is a small constitutional monarchy located in the Pacific Ocean. The Kingdom of Kamberra is said to have a population of around 23,800 people who speak the Kamberri dialect and Spanish. The name of the nation is derived from the Kamberri term for “meeting place”, similar to Australia’s capital city Canberra which also means meeting place in the Ngunnawal Aboriginal language.
The fictional Kingdom is an invention of graphic artist Mr. Franck Medina from Luxembourg. A teenager at the time, Mr. Franck Medina created the micro monarchy to showcase his artistamp and banknote designs. It was originally named the Principality of Camberra from August 6, 1988 until August 23, 1988. Later, it became the Kingdom of Camberra and was then changed to the Kingdom of Kamberra in 1990 with Mr. Franck Medina declared himself King Franck I, the kingdom’s first king.
It also has its own currency which is the Kamberra Numisma. Its banknotes are designed by Mr. Franck Medina with its first paper bill designed in March 1988, when the artist was 14 years old. Most of the banknotes depict a prominent personality on the obverse design while the reverse displays objects related to the person portrayed. They also show the kingdom’s seal.
Just like a real banknote, Kamberra numisma fantasy banknotes also have security features such as a unique serial number, UV sensitive security strip, latent image, barcodes, and omron rings. Issued by the Banco de Kamberra, these banknotes also bear signatures and are printed in Spanish and Kamberri.
