"I have so many wonderful memories of living here (in the principality)," he said. [26], In 1977, $1 coins were struck to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Casley claimed that this constitutes legally binding recognition of the principality. From 1984 to 1989, Johnson Matthey Refining, Rochester, New York, a manufacturer of precious metal products, manufactured limited numbers of commemorative coins for Mel Wacks, who had been appointed exclusive American distributor by Leonard Casley. [20][38][39][40][41] In 2017, however, Justice Le Miere of the Supreme Court of Western Australia ordered Leonard to pay more than A$2.7 million in unpaid taxes, and Arthur Casley to pay more than A$242,000 in unpaid taxes. The Principality introduced a set of low denomination banknotes in 1974. Hutt River's origins as a micronation date back to 1970, when the late Prince Leonard Casley claimed he'd exploited a legal loophole to create the principality in an isolated part of Western Australia, 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of state capital Perth. The ATO continued to pursue the Principality over unpaid bills, which belatedly prompted its surrender last week. "They're very harsh times economically and health wise around the world due to Covid and we're feeling that too.". From 1989 to 1995, the mint produced various themed commemorative Hutt River Province coins which were sold on the US market. The Principality of Hutt River (formerly the Hutt River Province) is Australia's oldest and most influential micronation. Casley also claimed he made a successful court claim using the law of unjust enrichment to successfully seize government land surrounding his farm which he hoped would increase his wheat quota. In the 1970s, Kevin Gale was hired to manage the marketing of Principality coins and stamps. [57], The Principality was situated 517 km (321 mi) north of Perth, along the Hutt River. When Prince Leonard died in February last year he left behind a US$2.15 million tax bill, which forced his son and successor, Prince Graeme Casley, to announce last week the principality would sell its land to pay the debt. [citation needed], Two weeks later, Casley claimed the government introduced a bill into Parliament to "resume" his and the other families' lands under compulsory acquisition laws. The Principality covered an area of 18,500 acres (75 km 2) and claimed to be an independent sovereign state that seceded from Australia in 1970 as a result of a dispute over wheat production quotas. Most coins of later series have specific commemorative topics and are usually made of precious metal. Hutt River has no standing army, but a number of its citizens have been awarded military commissio… [56], In April 2016, the Principality received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II which communicated the Queen's good wishes on the anniversary of the founding of the Principality 46 years ago, on 21 April 1970. Hutt River, a self-declared principality, issued its own passports and once even declared war on Australia. These coins are known as "holey dollars". The Principality of Hutt River, often referred to by its former name, the Hutt River Province, is an unrecognized micronation in Australia.The principality claims to be an independent sovereign state founded on 21 April 1970. [61] Hutt River also allowed car registrations, including issuing licence plates to overseas vehicles. So how did an Independent Sovereign State come to exist in rural Western Australia? His appeal was dismissed, except to alter the penalty. The Governor did not assist. The Hutt River Province then had a population of 12. The court dismissed Casley's application and found that his arguments were "fatuous, frivolous, and vexatious. Principality of Hutt River is sovereign and independent country for 38 years. "Unusual World Coins", by Colin R. Bruce, Krause Publications, 2005, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 15:02. "[27], The Australian government unequivocally stated on its website that it did not recognise the secession of the principality. [26] All authorised Principality coins were minted by Canada's Lombardo Mint and the New Queensland Mint. It was dissolved on 3 August 2020. [5][6] It issued its own currency, stamps and passports (which are not recognised by the Australian government or any other government). This giant bust of Prince Leonard was carved from rock by a Canadian artist. 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