"Art and Faith” The Creation of Adam Vatican 20 € 2023 brass coin

Quality: Special Uncirculated
Face Value: 5 Euro
Diameter: 28,5 mm
Copper: 99,9%
Total Weight: 8,5 g
Mintage: 50 000
Comes without packaging

Why talk when you can dance instead? That’s how bees communicate. Their ‘waggle dance’ is a wonderful phenomenon and one that not only bees themselves benefit from. Other living creatures, including humans, do so too, because bees are a vital part of our ecosystem: their welfare is our welfare.

In the early 20th century, the unusual behaviour of honeybees piqued the curiosity of behavioural scientist Karl von Frisch (1886–1982), who grew up in Vienna. He was intrigued by the way the insects sometimes move in circles and perform a figure of-eight ‘waggle dance’. In time, von Frisch discovered that when doing so, bees are in fact ‘speaking’ a dance language to the other members of their hive to show them where they can find pollen and nectar. Although originally disputed by other scientists, von Frisch’s theory eventually earned him the Nobel Prize in 1973.

The ‘round dance’, in which bees walks in a circle, turn around, then walk the same circle in the opposite direction, tells watching bees that there are flowers with pollen in the immediate vicinity of the hive. When the food source is further away, the waggle dance tells the watching bees how far it is and in which direction they can find it. A representation of the waggle dance is shown in the background on the coin’s reverse, behind a bee in flight and above a decorative honeycomb deign. The obverse of the nine-sided coin shows the coats of arms of all the provinces of Austria. Not just for nature lovers, whether in copper or silver, Waggle Dance makes for a great spring or Easter gift.
In the early 20th century, the unusual behavior of honey bees piqued the curiosity of behavioral scientist Karl von Frisch (1886–1982), who grew up in Vienna. He was intrigued by the way the insects sometimes move in circles and perform a figure-of-eight ‘waggle dance’. In time, von Frisch discovered that when doing so, bees are in fact ‘speaking’ a dance language to the other members of their hive to show them where they can find pollen and nectar. Although originally disputed by other scientists, von Frisch’s theory eventually earned him the Nobel Prize in 1973 for achievements in comparative behavioural physiology and pioneering work in communication between insects. It is not just bees themselves that benefit from this wonderful phenomenon, as other living creatures, including humans, do so too. Honey bees, wild bees and bumble bees are a vital part of the ecosystem: their welfare is our welfare.

Face value: 5 €
Metal: copper/nickel
Weight: 11,7 g
Diameter: 29 mm
Mintage 25 000

The wheel of the zodiac signs is engraved on the coin's gold-colored crown. One sign stands out from the background because it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. This is the Pisces symbol. The right part of the wheel is drowned in a wave, in reference to water, the element of this sign. Two long- finned fish swim in circles in this water. In the background, a starry sky with the Pisces constellation.

Issuing Country: France
Face value: 5 €
Metal: Copper/Nickel
Diameter: 29 mm
Quality: B.U.
Mintage: 25 000

The wheel of the zodiac signs is engraved on the coin's gold-colored crown. One sign stands out from the background because of its larger size and a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of Capricorn. Part of the wheel is hidden by crystals, leaves and mushrooms, in reference to the sign's element, earth. A Capricorn, half-goat, half-fish, rears up in the middle of the scene. In the background, there's a starry sky in which the Capricorn constellation is outlined.

Country: Cook Islands
Year: 2025
Face Value: 5 $
Silver: 99.9%
Weight: 1 oz
Size: 33 mm
Quality: Antique finish
Mintage: 999
Technique: smartminting

The sixth issue in the «Numismatic Icons» series is adorned with a beautiful lion, which stands for the animal of the god Apollo. Apollo was not only the god of the arts, healing and light, but also the patron god of the colonies. The majestic lion stands for strength, protection and divine guidance. The coin tells of the importance of Leontini as an agricultural center and the colony’s close connection to Apollo.

Country: Cook Islands
Year: 2026
Face Value: 5 Dollars
Silver: 99.9%
Weight: 1 oz
Size: 38,61 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 999
Technique: Smartminting®

The seven deadly sins originated in early Christianity and were first formulated in the 4th century. They are: pride, greed, lust, wrath, gluttony, envy, and sloth. They are not considered concrete actions, but rather inner attitudes or vices that distance people from God.

The third installment of this series focuses on pride—the deadly sin often considered in Christian tradition to be the root of all other vices. Pride signifies an exaggerated sense of self-importance, the feeling of being above things and other people. One animal embodies this attitude like few others: the lion. With its majestic appearance, its natural dominance, and its aura of absolute superiority, it has always been a symbol of pride and royalty.

It is precisely this natural grandeur that makes the deadly sin so subtle. Pride doesn't manifest itself loudly or aggressively, but often dignifiedly, confidently, and with control – and yet dangerously so. For those who elevate themselves too much easily lose sight of reality and humility.

This third edition is also available as a classic, colored mint and is limited to only 999 pieces worldwide. An impressive and at the same time ironic depiction of a deadly sin as old as humanity itself. Pride 2.0!