4404) "Rusalka" - Slavic Beasts, Republic of Cameroon: A 2000 Francs CFA, 3 oz Ag 999 (Silver Coin) issued by the Mint of Gdansk, Poland: Date/Year of Coin issue: 12/2021:
The first coin in the Gdańsk Mint’s Slavic Beasts Coin Series is dedicated to "Rusalka", a mythological creature from Slavic folklore.
Rusalka: The Beautiful and Dangerous Spirit of Slavic Waters: Slavic Mythology: Slavic Bestiary:
In ancient rivers and the depths of forest lakes lives a being whose story will surprise you... And at the end, you’ll learn a little-known but shocking truth about a Rusalka’s hair.
The Rusalka is one of the most iconic mythological creatures in Slavic folklore.
She was believed to be the spirit of a girl who had died an unnatural death.
Rusalkas have no specific parents — they originate from human souls. They became symbols of seduction, sorrow, and the danger hidden within beauty.
Origins of the Rusalkas:
In ancient Ukrainian beliefs, Rusalkas were born from the souls of young women who died before marriage — especially those who drowned in despair or were murdered.
In folk imagination, such souls could not find peace and thus settled in bodies of water, from which they emerged at night to walk along the shores. Their deaths — marked by emotional or physical tragedy — bound them to a restless afterlife.
In Ethnographic Materials by Ivan Franko, there are accounts that on Kupala Night, Rusalkas were most active — dancing in circles — and that anyone who saw them might lose their mind or be dragged into the water.
Appearance and Behaviour:
According to folk tales, rusalkas appeared as beautiful young women with long, loose hair — usually fair. They were often seen naked or in light white garments. A defining trait was their wet hair, which, according to legend, was the source of their power.
Panteleimon Kulish recorded that a Rusalka would sit by the water’s edge, combing her hair while singing haunting songs to lure people close. She could be playful and even gentle — but also deadly, especially if provoked or insulted.
Seasons and Rituals:
Belief in Rusalkas was especially strong during Rusalka Week (late spring), when it was said that spirits emerged from the water and could harm people. During this time, swimming was forbidden, as rusalkas might pull bathers under. Villagers would bring offerings to the fields — food, scarves, or shirts — as gifts to appease them.
One record from the Poltava region describes a ritual to banish the rusalkas: young people would walk around the village with tree branches, symbolically driving the “unclean spirits” out to the fields. This was followed by singing and games.
Attitude Toward Humans and Folk Legends:
Rusalkas frequently appear in folk songs and ballads. In one song, a girl becomes a Rusalka after being betrayed by her lover. In another tale, a peasant saves a rusalka by combing her hair, and in gratitude, she gives him treasure. But such stories are exceptions — most encounters with Rusalkas end in tragedy.
They are not merely spirits — they symbolize the transition between the world of the living and the dead. Their connection to water holds deep meaning: in folk belief, water was a portal through which souls could return to the living world. It was also believed that if a rusalka’s hair were to dry out, she would die instantly.
In Slavic mythology Rusalkas were demonic creatures inhabiting forests, fields and bodies of water. They were imagined as beautiful, naked girls with long, loose hair. They laughed loudly and sang.
They appeared during the new moon and attracted young men to them. If anyone approached them, the hair of the mermaids turned green and their faces twisted. The rusalkas would kill lured people who touched them. It was believed that maidens who died before they could get married became rusalkas.
More Than a Folklore Figure:
The Rusalka is not just a character from legends, but a powerful reflection of cultural views on death, beauty, betrayal, and redemption. She embodies a tragic fate, the consequences of sin, and the force of nature. Her symbols are water, hair, song, and the white shirt.
Today, the image of the rusalka is often distorted — portrayed as a friendly sea creature.
But in Ukrainian tradition, she remains a dual-natured being: enchanting and dangerous.
Folklore festivals sometimes include re-enactments of rusalka rituals.
The Coin:
.jpg)
It is an ideal choice for people who want to secure their capital and at the same time enrich their collection with a unique piece of high artistic value.
The coin has undergone a ruthenation process, which is one of the most effective methods of refining coins.
The figure of Rusalka has been additionally decorated with gold, which gives the whole thing a unique elegance and emphasises the details of the design.
The combination of Ruthenium and gold creates an extremely contrasting and at the same time harmonious visual effect.
Thanks to this, the coin looks extremely prestigious and unique, and the carefully refined relief makes every detail of the design eye-catching.
It is a true masterpiece of minting art, which stands out for both the quality of workmanship and its unique character.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The obverse of the coin is rich in mystical details related to flora and fauna. It also features the issuer's coat of arms, the year of issue, the denomination and the silver sample.
.jpg)
The whole thing was enclosed in an elegant wooden box with a certificate of authenticity, confirming the emission parameters. Thanks to this, the coin is a great idea for an exclusive gift and an interesting object for collectors and investors.
The circulation is strictly limited – only 200 pieces worldwide.
Denomination: 1000 Francs CFA
Country: Republic of Cameroon
Metal Composition: Silver - Ag 999
Weight: 3.00 oz or 93.3 g
Size/Diameter: 38.61 mm
Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)
Accessories: Ruthenium, Selective Gilding
Mintage: 200 pcs.
Issue date: 2021-12
Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity (COA), Box
The Way to Valhalla Coin Series:
Links to posts on Stanislaw Lem on this Blog:
Slavic Beasts Coin Series:
Links:
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on "Experience Nature":
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on this blog:
Dutch Castles Coin Series:
For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:
10) First Atlases, Netherlands: Commemorating 450 Years of the first Atlas (1570-2020) & others: A Stamp Sheet of six stamps depicting the Atlases which were compiled in the Netherlands in the 16th & 17th Centuries AD: Stamp Set issued by POstNL: Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.03.2020
Intangible Cultural Heritage, Netherlands:
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on "Experience Nature":
For interesting posts from the Caribbean Netherlands on this blog:
Posts from Suriname:
Links to posts on Ecuador on this blog:
5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020
6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020
7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020
30) 100 Years of Surrealism in Belgium: Date of Stamp issue: 26.08.2024
16) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020
Posts on Aruba on this blog:
Posts on Finland on this Blog:
Posts on Aruba on this blog:
Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
8) New Caribbean Guilder Banknotes and Coin designs for the Centrale Bank of Curacao & Sint Maarten
Other posts on European Capitals of Culture Posts - 2024:
Posts on SEPAC issues on this blog:
Links:
Posts on Aruba on this blog:
Posts on Sweden:
Links:
The undernoted two links will take you to our blog "Footloose" for two interesting posts written by me on the Dutch presence in Sadras in the 17th Century AD:
5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020
6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020
7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020
Posts on SEPAC issues on this blog:
Links to Posts on Turks and Caicos Islands:
Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
Posts on Colombia:
3) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Prat 1): The evolution of Coinage in Colombia
4) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Part 2): History of evolution of Banknotes in Colombia
For some other interesting posts on Currencies of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, please visit the following links:
18) Sea Motifs, Bahamas: Gold Bullion Coins in the denominations of 100 Dollars (depicting a Blue Marlin) and 250 Dollars (depicting a Conch Shell): Coins issue date: 03.12.2019
19) A new Generation $100 Polymer Banknote, Trinidad and Tobago with enhanced security features to "raise the bar" for counterfeiters & unscrupulous elements: Banknote circulation date: 09.12.2019:
20) Festival di Tumba (Carnival of Curacao), Curacao: "50th Edition of the Curacao Carnival/Festival" held from 27-31.01.2020: A set of six Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by Cpost (Curacao Post) on 20.02.2020
21) New Polymer Banknotes, Trinidad and Tobago: The entire series will consist of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 denominations: $100 has already been issued on 09.12.2019
23) "Caribbean Sea-Horse", Barbados: $10 (Ten Dollars) 1.0 Oz. Gold Bullion Coins & $1 (One Dollar) 1.0 Oz. Silver Bullion Coins minted by the Scottsdale Mint; Year of issue: 2020
24) Cayman Islands, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): A set of identically numbered Banknotes of the presently circulating Banknotes from the "D" Series of Banknotes
Links to some other interesting posts from South American countries & Mexico:
26) A new 100 Boliviano Banknote from Bolivia: issued by the "Banco Centrale de Bolivia" (Central Bank of Bolivia) on 15.01.2019 under its new 2018 Banknote Series
27) Central Bank of Uruguay ("Banco Centrale del Uruguay"): 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) - 1967-2017 - celebrated with the issue of a 50 Peso Commemorative Banknote on 14.09.2018
Links to posts on Ecuador on this blog:
Posts from Suriname:
Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
Links to some other interesting posts from Mexico:
Posts on Colombia:
3) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Prat 1): The evolution of Coinage in Colombia
4) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Part 2): History of evolution of Banknotes in Colombia
Links:
2) Currency & Coinage of Ghana: Cedis & Pesewas
6) Two new Cedi Banknotes of GH200 & GH100 and a GH2 Cedi Coin introduced in 11/2019
Links to other interesting posts on our Ghana visit in 2013:
1) Lake Bosumchwe or Bosumchwi, Ghana
2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
Links:
2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history
13) Ancient Greek Theatres, Greece: Hellenic Post has brought out a set of five stamps featuring the Ancient Theatres of Dodona, Nocopolis, Kassope, Amvrakia and Gitana (all in Epirus): Stamp issue date: 08.04.2020
14) "MYRTIS", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin dedicated to an 11 year old girl who was a victim of the PLague of Athens (430-426 BC) issued by the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 25.02.2020
For some other interesting posts on Currencies of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, please visit the following links:
18) Sea Motifs, Bahamas: Gold Bullion Coins in the denominations of 100 Dollars (depicting a Blue Marlin) and 250 Dollars (depicting a Conch Shell): Coins issue date: 03.12.2019
19) A new Generation $100 Polymer Banknote, Trinidad and Tobago with enhanced security features to "raise the bar" for counterfeiters & unscrupulous elements: Banknote circulation date: 09.12.2019:
20) Festival di Tumba (Carnival of Curacao), Curacao: "50th Edition of the Curacao Carnival/Festival" held from 27-31.01.2020: A set of six Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by Cpost (Curacao Post) on 20.02.2020
21) New Polymer Banknotes, Trinidad and Tobago: The entire series will consist of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 denominations: $100 has already been issued on 09.12.2019
23) "Caribbean Sea-Horse", Barbados: $10 (Ten Dollars) 1.0 Oz. Gold Bullion Coins & $1 (One Dollar) 1.0 Oz. Silver Bullion Coins minted by the Scottsdale Mint; Year of issue: 2020
24) Cayman Islands, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): A set of identically numbered Banknotes of the presently circulating Banknotes from the "D" Series of Banknotes
Links to some other interesting posts from South American countries & Mexico:
26) A new 100 Boliviano Banknote from Bolivia: issued by the "Banco Centrale de Bolivia" (Central Bank of Bolivia) on 15.01.2019 under its new 2018 Banknote Series
27) Central Bank of Uruguay ("Banco Centrale del Uruguay"): 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) - 1967-2017 - celebrated with the issue of a 50 Peso Commemorative Banknote on 14.09.2018
Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
Interesting Posts from Algeria:
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
2) Currency & Coinage of Ghana: Cedis & Pesewas
6) Two new Cedi Banknotes of GH200 & GH100 and a GH2 Cedi Coin introduced in 11/2019
Links to other interesting posts on our Ghana visit in 2013:
1) Lake Bosumchwe or Bosumchwi, Ghana
2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
New Banknotes of Mozambique:
1) New Banknotes of Mozambique
ZiG: The new currency of Zimbabwe:
1) ZiG: The new Currency of Zimbabwe
Eswatini (Swaziland):
Interesting Posts from Algeria:
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
No comments:
Post a Comment