Principality of Freedonia
Principality of Freedonia Micronation | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 National arms
| |
| Motto: Superibimus! | |
| Location | None |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Freedonian |
| Organizational structure | Constitutional monarchy |
• Prince | John I (1997-2004) |
| Establishment | |
• Declared | 1997 |
| Membership | < 300 (1997-2004) |
| Purported currency | Freedonian Dollar (based on precious metals) |
The Principality of Freedonia was a micronation based on libertarian principles. It was created as a "hypothetical project" by a group of teenagers in the United States in 1992. The project was formalized as a new country project in 1997, which included attempts in 2001 to lease territory in Somaliland. The attempt to lease land was rejected.
It was headed by a Texas university student named John Kyle, who used the title Prince John.[1][2] The Principality of Freedonia itself was based in Boston, Massachusetts.[3]
Coinage
While the Freedonia project was active, it minted its own currency.[3] It had a number of 50 Freedonian dollar 1 oz silver coins minted.[4] It offered these coins for sale on the organization's website.[5]
Current status
The Freedonia project's website has not been updated for a number of years and its discussion forum no longer functions, e-mail communication with the self-styled Prince does not work, and the entire project appears to be defunct. E-mail statements from the founder indicate that the project is not being actively pursued as of 2004.[4]
As of 2013, the Freedonia website is no longer available.
References
- ^ Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations, John Ryan, George Dunford, and Simon Sellars, Lonely Planet Publications, 2006 ISBN 1741047307 (paperback)
- ^ "Wanted: Homeland for 300 Webheads". Metroactive. 22 November 2000. Retrieved 2 January 2006.
- ^ a b Blumberg, Alex. "It's good to be king". Wired. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Links To Micro-National and Fantasy Coins: Listings F". Yahoo! Geocities. Retrieved 2 January 2006.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Bank of Freedonia". The Principality of Freedonia. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2006.
Further reading
- Micronations. pp. 56-59.
- "The invisible empires". The Sunday Leader. (scroll down on page)
- "Houston 101: Hail, Freedonia (Except For The Part About The Killings)". Houston Press.
External links
Pop Culture
Doctor Who (2005): Freedonia was a fictional nation primarily associated with companion Martha Jones, played by Freema Agyeman. In episode two of season three, The Shakespeare Code, The Doctor and Martha visit 1599. The Tenth Doctor tells William Shakespeare that Martha Jones was a citizen of the nation of "Freedonia" to explain away her differences from the women of Shakespeare's acquaintance. A story Martha later reiterates.
