The most beautiful coins in the world

What is money for you and how much is it worth? Is it status? Is it material goods? Is it a necessity? Does the face value always correspond to the real value? These are questions that do not have a clear answer, because there are people for whom coins are art. Numismatists are willing to spend a fortune on extremely rare coins.

Coins may differ in size, metal of manufacture, pattern, and number of copies made, batch and year of manufacture. Special coinage can be developed for memorable dates and events, for outstanding people. Separately, it is worth noting the artistically designed coins. In this article we will look at eight most beautiful of them.

• 1. Diamond Eyed Wolverine

  In 2007, in Mongolia, a design was developed and a coin "Wolverine with Diamond Eyes" was cast from pure silver. The obverse depicts a wolverine with Swarovski stones as its eyes.

  “Diamond Eyed Wolverine” is part of a series of coins dedicated to the protection of wildlife. In 2009, it received the "Coin of the Year" award and is the most valuable coin in its collection.

  The circulation was 2,500 pieces.

• 2. "Everything for you"

  In 2013, the “Everything for You” coin was cast in Australia in silver and amber. The obverse depicts the coat of arms of the Republic of Palau (Neptune with a mermaid and an open chest), the denomination of the coin, the name of the republic and six stars.

  On the reverse there is an imprint of the date of manufacture of the coin, the name of the coin “Everything for you”. Separately, it is necessary to dwell on the image of animals: on the coin there is an impression of two adult elephants in savannah, and above their heads there is a heart made of amber. It is clear from the position of their bodies that this is a family. In the water, there are reflections of three elephants: two adults and one baby elephant

• 3. "Motherland of apples"

  In 2013, a design was developed in Kazakhstan and a silver coin "Motherland of Apples" was cast. The obverse of which depicts an apple tree with ripe fruits. The roots of the tree branch out in different directions and are securely fixed in the mountainous terrain. The reverse shows an identical reflection in a different color: a tree with ripe (gilded) apples on its branches.

  "Motherland of Apples" is included in the series of coins "Heritage of the Republic". Images of fruit-bearing trees on the coin symbolize prosperity, fertility, and their roots symbolize reliability and stability. Mountain slopes are a natural habitat for wild apple trees and a symbol of the National Bank of Kazakhstan.

  In 2014, "Motherland of Apples" received the "Coin of the Year" award. The circulation was 7,000 coins.

• 4. "Vanity"

  “Vanity” is another coin created using Swarovski crystals. It is made from silver. The coin was minted in 2018 in Germany for Equatorial Guinea. The coin is part of a series called "Crystal Skull".

  On the reverse, three scarlet roses are minted, to the right of which there is a black Swarovski crystal in the shape of a skull, and to the left there is the name of the coin “Vanity” (“VANIDAD”) in a semicircle. All elements are placed on a dark background. The obverse depicts the coat of arms of Equatorial Guinea, the name of the republic and the denomination (1000 francs). Volumetric contrasting details create both a gloomy and bewitching composition.

  The circulation was 1,750 pieces.

• 5. "Egyptian labyrinth"

  In 2016, the "Egyptian Labyrinth" silver coin was minted in the Cook Islands. The coin is part of a series called "Milestones of Humanity".

  The reverse depicts an approximate diagram of the Egyptian labyrinth, compiled by the German scientist (Egyptologist, encyclopedist) Athanasius Kircher based on the ancient records of Herodotus. Circling is the name of the series of the coin, the year of its issue and the name of the coin (the letters are made in the style of Egyptian hieroglyphs).

  On the obverse there is an imprint with the image of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, her name, the name of the state and the face value of the coin (10 New Zealand dollars).

  Interestingly, the coins are placed in special stylized boxes. If you put such boxes in a certain order, they form a pattern of the Egyptian labyrinth.

  The circulation was 999 pieces.

• 6. “Year of the Tiger”

  In 2010, the “Year of the Tiger” coin made of pure silver was issued in Canada. The edge of the coin is made in the form of an equilateral wave. The obverse depicts a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, her name, year and country of issue of the coin, face value (15 dollars). The reverse depicts a white tiger and leaves of tropical plants.

  In addition to timing the coin with the year of the Tiger (according to the Chinese horoscope), the creators raised the issue of protecting rare and endangered animals, including the white tiger.

  The circulation was 19,888 pieces.

• 7. “20 francs. Angel"

  In the 18th century, during the Great French Revolution, coins “20 francs. Angel" were cast from pure gold. On the obverse there is an imprint of a man-genius who holds a scroll in his hands and writes the word "Constitution" on it, the image of a rooster (symbolizes vigilance) and circling is the name of the issuer's country.

  The image of a genius was created based on a guardian spirit with large wings behind its back from ancient Roman mythology, similar to an angel (hence the name of the coin). On the reverse there is the face value of the coin (20 francs), a wreath of oak leaves. On the coins of different coinage, the inscriptions “LIBERTY EQUALITY BROTHERHOOD” or “GOD SAVE FRANCE” are depicted.

  There is more than one variant of minting “20 francs. Angel", which changed due to various historical events.

• 8. "12 apostles"

  In 2007-2008, the “12 Apostles” coin was issued in Germany in solid gold and silver with separate gold elements. Incredibly, a massive coin weighs a whole kilogram.

  Another interesting feature is that the coin has a unique structure: it consists of a central disk and 12 parts in the form of removable puzzles located around this disk.

  The obverse of each of the constituent elements depicts the coat of arms of Liberia and the inscription "Republic of Liberia".

  The apostle Paul is cast in gold on the reverse of the central disc. The silver around the apostle is divided into 4 zones, in which the birth of Christ, the Last Supper, the crucifixion and heavenly light are depicted. On the reverse of the remaining 12 components, respectively, 12 apostles are depicted, and their names are written.

  The circulation was 1,000 pieces.