The Principality of Hutt River (PHR) is an Independent Sovereign State having seceded from Australia on the Twenty First Day of April 1970 and is comparable in size to Hong Kong, though the Principality is larger in physical size than many countries such as Vatican, San Marino, Monaco, and Nauru to name but a few. Most coins of later series have specific commemorative topics and are usually made of precious metal. Some states claim to be principalities but are not recognised by other countries: … "Unusual World Coins", by Colin R. Bruce, Krause Publications, 2005, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 15:02. The territory is located 517 km (354 mi) north of Perth, near the town of Northampton in the state of Western Australia. 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. "[32], On 3 August 2020 the Principality was formally dissolved, amidst disputes with the Australian Taxation Office demanding the Principality pay millions in unpaid taxes across its 50-year history. In … Principality coins were issued from 1976 to 2000, then from 2007 to 2018. [13] On 3 August 2020 the principality formally dissolved. This could be because elf numerous reasons, but, like Hutt River, it’s mainly because of tax. [60] Concerned that Hutt River registrations "may be sold as part of a tax avoidance or evasion arrangement", in April 2012 the Australian Taxation Office warned potential purchasers that the registrations have no legal basis and "could be illegal". In 2010, the Principality issued a $30 gold- and silver-plated brass coin to mark the 40th anniversary of independence. The court dismissed Casley's application and found that his arguments were "fatuous, frivolous, and vexatious. Casley claimed that this constitutes legally binding recognition of the principality. With a population of 23, the tiny province is roughly the same size as Hong Kong. Casley did this because he believed it would enable him to take advantage of the British Treason Act of 1495, which provides that the de facto king of a nation cannot be guilty of treason in relation to any act against the lawful king and that anyone who interfered with that monarch's duties could be charged with treason. The Principality of Hutt River is an Independent Sovereign State having seceded from Australia on the Twenty First Day of April 1970 The Principality of Hutt River (PHR) is not accepting further immigration to the nation at this time due to the fact that an expansion of the basic infrastructure has to be completed before the country can look toward accommodating a larger population and taking the next steps in it's growth and advancement. A principality (sometimes also called princedom) is a country which is ruled by a prince or princess.Principalities were common in the Middle Ages.Some principalities that still remain today are Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein.Examples of subnational principalities are Asturias (Spain).. Principality of Hutt River, Western Australia: See 35 reviews, articles, and 40 photos of Principality of Hutt River, ranked No.780 on Tripadvisor among 2,243 attractions in … Travelers could visit the principality's Post Office to send a letter or buy Hutt River stamps, then peruse the Memorabilia Department and Historical Society, before enjoying a light meal in its tea rooms. The principality claimed to be an independent sovereign state, founded on 21 April 1970. A few years later, Casley began styling himself as "Prince Leonard" and granting family members royal titles, although he did not include the word "principality" in the official name until 2006. The principality claims to be an independent sovereign stateand to have achieved legal status on 21 April 1970, although it remains … Tourism is also important to the Principality's economy. Australia has spawned far more micronations than most countries. [28], In January 2017, The Prince announced that, after ruling for 45 years, he would be stepping down as prince, to be succeeded by his youngest son, Graeme. [20] He also repeatedly claimed that he was classed by the ATO as a "non-resident of Australia for income tax purposes" and did not pay tax. 2.Prince Leonard of Hutt River Province is a person exempted in the Australian Law from Taxation under the current guidelines. In 1989, production was transferred to the Continental Coin Company (in California). "It's very sad watching your father build up something for 50 years and then you have to close it down," said Casley. [20][36][51], While the Principality had only 23 residents, it claimed a worldwide citizenry of 14,000. The principality was located 517 km (354 mi) north of Perth, near the town of Northampton in the state of Western Australia. This is a separatist movement that creates its own country and separates from, say, Australia. The letter from Buckingham Palace was signed by Sonia Bonici, Senior Correspondence Officer. [20] Casley believed that under Australian law the federal government had two years to respond to Casley's declaration of sovereignty. The Principality of Hutt River is what is known as a micro nation. Coins of the same design were struck again in 1978, without the inscription "Queen's Jubilee".[26]. It was dissolved on 3 August 2020. And then there was the Royal Art Collection, made up of 300 pieces scattered through these buildings, as well a giant bust of Prince Leonard, carved from rock by a Canadian artist. [18], At about this time, Leonard Casley styled himself "His Majesty Prince Leonard I of Hutt". The Hong Kong Registry, however, were looking at reviewing their list of accredited places for company incorporation after the issue was raised in an adverse manner by Australian media. [citation needed], In 1978, Prince Leonard appealed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia against a conviction for conducting a shop on his property without a permit. 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. Today we did an interesting trip out from Kalbarri to the Principality of Hutt River, which is an Independent Sovereign State having seceded from Australia on the 21/4/1970 It is a very interesting story and worth reading the following posts if you haven't heard of this place. [16] Casley then wrote to the Governor-General and asserted that: "Sovereignty is automatic to a country undefeated in a state of war ... and if the state of war is not recognized by the other party, once the notice is given then these conventions apply to their relations. Prince Leonard's war against Australia lasted only a few days, and this brazen show of force did nothing to deter the Australian Taxation Office. The Principality of Hutt River was dramatically created on April 21, 1970, and covers just 75sqkm of remote Western Australia with a population of 23. [7] No government or legal scholar has ever accepted this legal theory of Prince Leonard's. [21] It may be more than coincidence that this declaration of war came in just a few months after a court decision where Casley was fined for failing to furnish the ATO with certain documents. 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