4613) "Licho" - Slavic Beasts, Republic of Cameroon: A 1000 Francs CFA and 2000 Francs CFA (Silver Coins) issued by the Mint of Gdansk, Poland: Date/Year of Coin issue: 26.07.2026:
Slavic Beasts Coin Series:
Licho – One of the most sinister figures in Slavic lore joins the Slavic Beasts series.
- Crafted from 3 ounces of pure silver (Ag 999), the coin impresses with its ultra-high relief and a striking combination of UV printing, metallic UV printing, selective gilding, and colored resin.
- Thanks to the use of modern minting techniques, every detail acquires exceptional depth and a realistic character.
- The red eye of the Lich immediately catches the eye.
- A raven, a rotting apple, and an abandoned cottage create a disturbing atmosphere inspired by Slavic demonology.
- Mintage – only 400 pieces worldwide.
About the Slavic Beast - Licho:
Likho, liho, lykho (Belarusian: лі́ха, Polish: licho, Russian: Лихо, Ukrainian: Лихо) is an embodiment of evil fate and misfortune in Slavic mythology.
A creature with one eye who is often depicted as an old, skinny woman in black (Лихо одноглазое, One-eyed Likho) or as an evil male goblin of forests.
Rather than being included in the major canon of the Slavic belief system, the Likho is traditionally found in fairy tales.
There are several basic versions of tales about how a person meets with Likho with different morals of the tale:
A person eventually cheats
Likho:
1) A person cheats Likho, runs away (with Likho chasing him), sees a valuable thing, grabs it out of greed, their hand sticks to it, and they have to cut off their hand.
2) Likho cheats a person and rides on their neck. The person wanting to drown Likho jumps into a river and drowns themself, but Likho floats out to chase other victims.
3) Likho is received or passed to another person with a gift.
- Within the framework of superstitions, Likho was supposed to come and eat a person.
In particular, this was used to scare small children.
In Ukrainian folklore, it is sometimes portrayed as type of bad spirit that can cling to one's neck.
Likho is not a real proper name but a noun meaning bad luck in modern Russian and Ukrainian and the odd number in Polish (obsolete).
Several proverbs utilise this term such as the Russian "Не буди лихо, пока оно тихо" and the Ukrainian "Не буди лихо, поки воно тихо", literally translated as ("Don't wake likho while it is quiet"); similar to ("Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you"); or the Polish "Cicho! Licho nie śpi" translated as ("Quiet! Evil does not sleep"); and "Licho wie" (literally "Licho [only] knows"), used to mean that a given piece of information is known by no one.
In Czech, lichý means "odd (number), idle, vain".
In Polish, lichy means "shoddy, poor, flimsy".
In Belarusian language, "ліхі means bad, evil (like in prayer), odd (side of clothing)".
In Ukrainian language, it is type of bad luck or incident.
Licho (also called Likho) is a one‑eyed spirit in Slavic mythology, symbolising misfortune, evil fate, and unavoidable suffering. It is often depicted as a gaunt, ragged figure with a single eye, feared across Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Polish folklore.
Origins and Meaning:
Name: "Likho" is not a proper name but a noun meaning bad luck in Russian and Ukrainian, and odd number in old Polish usage.
Etymology: Connected to the idea of excess, imbalance, or the unlucky "odd one out."
Cultural Role: Embodiment of misfortune, doom, and despair rather than a violent monster.
Appearance:
Physical Traits:
Usually shown as a skinny old woman in black or a male goblin-like figure.
Always has one eye, symbolising imbalance and incomplete destiny.
Sometimes rides on a victim’s neck or clings like a parasite.
Folklore and Tales:
Common Themes:
Meeting Likho often ends in ruin—greed or recklessness attracts it.
Tales warn against disturbing it: “Не буди лихо, пока оно тихо” (“Don’t wake Likho while it is quiet”).
Victims may try to cheat or escape it, but Likho always finds a way to bring suffering.
Symbolism:
Embodiment of Fate: Unlike demons or war gods, Likho represents inevitable misfortune.
Psychological Monster: It is less about physical attacks and more about despair, poverty, sickness, and ruin.
Proverbs:
Russian/Ukrainian: “Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.”
Polish: “Cicho! Licho nie śpi” (“Quiet! Evil does not sleep”).
The Coin:
- The "Licho" coin is the fifth release in the Slavic Bestiary collection, dedicated to the mythical creatures of ancient Slavic folklore.
- Struck from 3 oz of pure silver (Ag 999) and issued in a strictly limited mintage of only 400 pieces worldwide, it captivates with its intricate details and the use of advanced minting techniques, including Ultra High Relief (UHR), UV printing, selective gilding, and colored resin, all of which create remarkable depth and a striking three-dimensional appearance.
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The Specifications of this Silver Coin are:
Coin Series Theme: Slavic Bestiary" (Slavic Beasts)
Coin Theme: "Licho - Slavic Beasts"
Denomination: 2000 francs
Country: Republic of Cameroon
Metal Composition: Ag 999
Diameter/Size: 55.00 mm
Weight: 3.00 oz
Coin Quality: Antique Finish (AF)
Mintage: 400 pcs.
Denomination: 2000 Francs CFA
Additions/Modifications: Gold Plating, Ultra High Relief (UHR), Metallic UV Printing, Numbered Edge
Date of issue: 2026-07
Accessories: Certificate, Box
Availability from: 30.08.2026
(Date may change)
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