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Wednesday 30 September 2020

1499) About Dogs (Series II) - 2020, Malta: A set of 16 Stamps brought out by Malta Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 24.09.2020:

 1499) About Dogs (Series II) - 2020, Malta: A set of 16 Stamps brought out by Malta Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 24.09.2020:

About Dog Breeds covered in this Stamp- set:

The Dog is the most widely abundant terrestrial carnivore and the first species to be domesticated. It has been selectively bred over millennia and its long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human behaviour.

Dogs perform multiple roles for humans, including companionship and more recently, aiding the disabled in therapeutic roles.

Their influence on human society has given them the sobriquet of "man's best friend". 

The 16 individual Stamps of 0.51 Euro each depicting the 16 Dog Breeds showcased in this set.

1) West Highland White Terrier:

Commonly known as the "Westie", this medium sized terrier is a Scottish breed, intelligent and quick to learn, it is good with children but does not tolerate rough handling well.

"Westies" are an energetic and boisterous breed, requiring regular daily exercise.

2) Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels  are an old breed assumed to have originated in Spain. They were originally bred as hunting dogs in England and America - hence the term "cocker" deriving from its ability to hunt wood-cocks.

Cocker Spaniels are intelligent and have a sweet disposition and are in their elements when around people.

3) Great Dane

The Great Dane is a German dog, known for its large size. Strong and elegant, with a powerful, well-formed, muscular, galloping body. They were used for hunting boar and deer at princely courts.

Their imposing appearance belies a friendly nature, often seeking physical affection with their owners. Like most dogs, when properly socialised they are gentle and loving.

4) Kelb tal-Kacca:

This hound in indigenous to the Maltest islands. The first record of this dog dates to 1773 when Grand Master Ximenes allowed its use for hunting.

Its dappled beige and brown coat helps it blend into the Maltese countryside, where it is most at home.

Ever faithful and a reliable hunting dog, it is almost always seen at the heels of its owner.

5) British Bulldog:

Bulldogs have a muscular, hefty body, a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.

They are often associated with the UK with which they have a long standing connection. They are one of the most popular pure breeds with a friendly, patient, if sometimes, stubborn nature and have become popular family pets due to their tendency to form strong bonds with children.

6) Weimaraner:

The Weimaraner is a large, energetic dog prized for its physical endurance and stamina. It was originally bred in Germany and used by royalty for hunting large game in the early 19th Century, hence its strong, insctinctive prey-drive.

It requires frequent, vigorous exercise and benefits from play but needs appropriate training to learn how to control its behaviour.

7) Shar-Pei:

With its deep wrinkles and blue-black tongue, the Shar Pei is one of the world's rare breeds. Originating from Southern China, Shar Pei were initially bred as palace guard dogs. They are independent, suspicious and reserved requiring early socialisation with children and especially strangers.

Nevertheless, they can be devoted, loyal and affectionate.

8) English Setter:

Setters are strong-willed, mischievous, gun-dogs bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism and still used to hunt small game. 

They have a lovely coat with long, silky fringes. Often known as "Gentlemen By Nature" they are indeed good natured and intensely friendly, people-oriented and well-suited to families  that can give them attention and activity.

9) Poodle:

Poodles are known as highly intelligent, energetic and sociable dogs. They are ranked as the second most intelligent dog breed and as such are highly trainable, performing well at dog sports and agility. 

They love hiking and camping and are very comfortable in water.

10)Beagle

The Beagle is a small hound developed for hunting hare. It has s great sense of smell and superior tracking instincts, making it an excellent detection dog for today's prohibited imports. 

Beagles have an even temper and a gentle disposition making them popular as pets. However, they can be single-minded and determined making them hard to train.

11) Basset Hound:

Like the Beagle, the Basset Hound was bred for hunting hare. Its sense of smell and ability to ground-scents is second only the the Bloodhound. 

Originally, bred in France, Bassets are short legged (hence the word "Bas" meaning low) and famously devoted to tracking. They are friendly, outgoing and playful and tolerant of children and other pets.

12) Siberian Husky:

The term "Husky" was first recorded in 1852 for dogs kept by Inuit people. They soon became popular as sled dogs used in Polar Regions and are most noted for their thick double coat as they are for their fast pulling-style.

They are energetic and athletic and once retired are kept as pets.

13) American Staffordshire Terrier:

This medium-sized, short-coated dog also  known as the "Amstaff"is described as being confident, smart and good natured.

"Amstaffs" are well put together - agile and graceful despite their muscularity and keenly alive to their surroundings.

They are known to be well socialised, loyal and trustworthy and their courage if proverbial.

14) Smooth Fox Terrier:

The Smooth Fox Terrier originated in the 19th Century from earlier varieties of British terriers. They are keen-eyed, lively, alert little dogs, exhibiting a lot of strength in a small packet.

They are friendly and fearless boasting a lot of personality and are considered to be one of the best watchdogs.

15) German Shepherd:

This breed originated in Germany in 1899 and is a medium to large-sized working dog used for herding sheep. 

They are strong, intelligent, very trainable and obedient and as such are the preferred breed for many types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police and military roles and acting. 

16) Rottweiler:

Rottweilers are medium-to-large dogs originally bred to herd live-stock. Today, they are used in many parts of the world as search-and-rescue, guard and police dogs.

They are generally good-natured and placid in disposition but require formal training and extensive socialisation to control aggression associated with terrestrial instincts.

Four First Day Cover (FDCs) have been issued each with four different stamps affixed thereto.

Sixteen Maximum Cards (or Maxi cards) have been issued, one each on individual dog breeds - One group issued with the products contained in the Stamp set and the other without.

A Maximum Card has the Stamp, Cancellation Postmark/Handstamp and the image of the post card -all on one face.

Two Presentation Packs have been issued in this Stamp set, each containing eight stamps each on different dog breeds:

Technical Details:

Stamp set issue date: 24.09.2020

Designer: Andrew Micallef

Process: Offset

Stamp Sizes: 35.0 mm x 35.0 mm




For posts on Central Bank of Malta issues, please visit the following links:





Monday 28 September 2020

1498) "Chameleon", Cook Islands: Sixth Coin in the Coin Series titled "Magnificent Life": Series coordinated by Coin Invest Trust (CIT): Coin minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of issue: 2020:

1498) "Chameleon", Cook Islands: Sixth Coin in the Coin Series titled "Magnificent Life": Series coordinated by Coin Invest Trust (CIT): Coin minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of issue: 2020:

The Coin Series titled "Magnificent Life" brought out by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on behalf of the Cook Islands, with its realistic animal motifs, now presents the - Chameleon, the sixth coin in the Series. The Chameleon is a marvelous wonder of nature.

The Reverse of the 5 Dollars Silver Proof Coin placed on its edge on its Presentation Case/Box showcasing the realistic design of the Chameleon featured on this Coin and the high-relief and serrated edge

As a distinctive group of Old World Lizards, the Chameleon inhabits all kinds of tropical and mountain rainforests, savannahs and even deserts and steppes. 

The earlier issues in this Coin Series featured - Peacock (2015), Wasp Spider (2016), Cobra (2017), Tree Frog (2018), Philippine Eagle (2019).

A significant hallmark of this Coin Series is the realistic animal motifs that combine Smartminting technology with virtuoso/vibrant colour application, a cupped proof surface and the depiction of a fascinating natural phenomenon.

The Coin:

The Reverse of the 5 Dollars Silver Proof Coin features the African Chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus). On the upper left periphery is mentioned the Coin Series Theme - "MAGNIFICENT LIFE".

The Chameleon's incredible eyes protrude from the head like little cones and can move independently of each other. The Smartminting technique has imparted a realistic, three-dimensional depiction of one of the two eyes.

The tongue is kept in the gular pouch and can extend up to 1.5 times the animal's body length of 30.0 cm to 35.0 cm. The Chameleon uses its tongue to catch its prey. Thanks to a sticky secretion combined with the ability to create a short-term vacuum, enables the tongue to generate a tensile force of about 0.4 newtons. The tongue is clearly visible in the Chameleon's mouth in red colour on this face of the Coin.

The extremities, which are designed like pincers, can also be recognised on this Coin. They are perfect gripper hands for an arboreal species.

Special emphasis has been placed on capturing the astonishing colourfulness of the animal in a life-like manner.

The Obverse of the 5 Dollar Silver Proof Coin shows an effigy of Elizabeth II, designed by Ian-Rank-Broadley, (whose initials "IRB" appear below the Queen's neck).

The peripheral inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. 5 DOLLARS. COOK ISLANDS . 2020".

The specifications of this 5 Dollar Silver Coin are:

Country of issue: Cook Islands; Series coordinated by: Coin Invest Trust (CIT); Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich; Theme: "Magnificent Life - Chameleon"; Denomination: 5 Dollars; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.61 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 999 pieces; Year: 2020.

The Presentation Box in which the 5 Dollars Silver Coin is placed.






Other links to interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries:






14) Pterosauria from the Mesozoic Era - The Age of the reptiles" (70 to 225 million years ago): Fourth Coin in the "Evolution of Life Coin Series" brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of the Republic of Mongolia in 2018


15) Sinraptor (Sinraptor dongi): Fifth Coin in the "Evolution of Life Coin Series" brought out by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on behalf of the Republic of Mongolia: Coin minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH issued in 08/2019

16) Diplocaulus: Sixth Coin in the Evolution of Life Coin Series" brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of the Republic of Mongolia: Coin minted by B'H' Mayer's Kunsprageanstalt GmbH issued in 08/2020

17) Velociraptor (meaning "Swift Seizer"), Mongolia (from the Cretaceous Period 75 to 71 million years ago - approx) - "Part I": "Prehistoric Beasts Series": A 2000 Togrog Silver Coin issued by the Coin Invest Trust, minted by BH Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich, in 2018
21) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich

22) Arowana Dragon Fish, Republic of Palau: A Silver $10 (Dollars) Coin brought out by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) for the Republic of Palau, minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich: Issue year: 2019


Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:



The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series: