2614) "The Serenity of the Elephant - Africa", Austria (Oesterreich Republic): "The Eyes of the Continents Coin Series": The fourth Release in the Series of 20 Euro Silver Coins issued by the Austrian Mint, Vienna (AMV): Date/Year of Coin issue: 09.11.2022:
The Header/Banner is titled "ALIGEN DER KONTINENTE" ("Eyes Of The Continents") and showcases the Obverse and Reverse of the 20 Euro Silver Coin. In the background is an image of an African Elephant in the Savanna
The Serenity of the Elephant:
The Austrian Mint has brought out its latest coin in its ongoing series titled “Eyes of the Continents,” which introduces five exceptional animals, each one embodying a special characteristic for which it was praised in the myths and tales of previous cultures.
The coins’ primary focus is creating "eye-to-eye contact" through design and highlighting exceptional creatures such as the snake, owl, tiger, elephant, and bear.
The fourth design features the African elephant.
The African Elephant:
Worshipped since ancient times mostly due to their size, the people of Africa, have had a bond with these creatures that exude a sense of serenity and measured demeanour.
It is understandable that unexpected encounters with wild animals could be traumatic events for prehistoric people, and the sudden appearance of their shining eyes in the moonlight could generate a moment of terror.
It is no wonder that animals featured prominently in their dreams and imagery, as it was believed wild creatures had supernatural powers.
Depictions of prehistoric, and animals familiar to us today, have been found on cave walls and have since been featured in some of the world’s best-known art and crafts, including the earliest examples of coins.
For many cultures, elephants are a popular symbol and represent many traits, such as luck and prosperity, but they are also powerful beings that use their mighty strength to remove obstacles and negative forces. They also represent wisdom, long life, memory, and vitality.
The people of Africa have revered elephants since ancient times.
In Cameroon, venerated kings are equated with elephants; among the Ashanti people of Ghana, good governance is firmly associated both with the idea of a strong bull elephant and the level-headedness of a matriarch.
We visited the Mole National Park in Ghana, West Africa in 2013. Sumita's interesting description of the Park is given in her blog: "Footloose" at the following link:
Many religious and political rituals and traditions that stem from the image humans have of elephants date from a time when the pachyderm’s rights had not yet been curtailed by humans.
To ensure that the natural habitat of elephants does not disappear any more than it already has, a new and consistent approach to environmental protection is fundamental.
This requires patience and perseverance –attributes that make the elephant such a revered animal.
The Commemorative Coin:
The Reverse and Obverse of the 20 Euro Silver Coin presented side-by-side
Humans have always admired the measured demeanour and soothing sense of serenity of the elephant.
These qualities are highlighted on "The Serenity of the Elephant," Coin, in the form of the sapphire-blue eyes of an elephant made of sparkling crystals by Swarovski®.
The Reverse of the 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin features an elephant’s head in close-up, accentuating its sparkling sapphire-blue eyes.
The Obverse of the 20 Euro Silver Coin is dominated by a mighty bull African elephant in its natural habitat, an image surrounded by a decorative pattern reminiscent of those seen on African fabrics.
The name of the issuing country - "REPUBLIK OSTERREICH" (Republic of Austria) is inscribed around the primary design, with each letter shown in an indent created by the triangular points in the pattern around the edge.
The denomination "20 EURO" is inscribed at centre left.
The year of issue "2022" is at lower bottom.
The specifications of the Coin are:
Country: Oesterreich Republik ("Republic of Austria"); Date/Year of Coin issue: 09.11.2022; Coin Denomination: 20 Euro; Coin Series Theme: "The Eyes of the World"; Coin Theme: "The Serenity of the Elephant"; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size: 34.00 mm; Fine Weight: 20.74 grams / 0.66 oz; Total Weight: 22.42 grams; Coin Designers: Anna Rastl, Mag. Helmut Andexlinger; Mintage: 30,000 pieces.
- Packaging: Comes in a case complete with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and protective slipcase.
- Each Proof-quality Silver Coin is encapsulated and presented in a heavy-gauge card case.
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