The Twelve Olympians in the Zodiac - Hermes & Cancer. Samoa 0.20 $ 2021 Gold plated Copper/Nickel coin

Face value: 5 $
Issuing country: Samoa
Weight: 62,2 g
Quality: Antiqefinish
Diameter: 45 mm
Mintage: 999

The second release in an interesting, thought provoking new series, this coin depicts the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite.

A twelve issue set, the Twelve Olympians of the Zodiac considers which of the traditional star signs coincide with the Gods of Olympus of Ancient Greece. For Aphrodite it is easy, for she is also known as the Roman goddess Venus, and Venus is the planetary ruler of Taurus!

According to some astrologists, those born under the sign of Taurus love pleasure! They know how to enjoy life, and are sure to make the most of every moment - just like the Goddess Aphrodite!

Face value: 0.2 $
Issuing country: Samoa
Weight: 25 g
Diameter: 40 mm

Scorpio is the second Mars sign, and the one that most relates to Ares: while the fiery aspects of Aries might relate to him to some extent, it’s the more emotional Scorpio that resonates closer to him and his primal nature. As the later Autumn sign, Scorpio is related to Winter’s start, and thus to sunset-like conditions: as the Sun dims, so does life. Scorpio is defined by it’s loyalty bordering on possessiveness, as well as a rather strong impulsive nature but consciously made subtle or even outright hidden. Ares displays a surprising amount of loyalty to his family, even when most of Olympus doesn’t like him very much, and while numerous, his affairs are occult, unlike Zeus’ or Apollo’s. This reflects water as darkness: driven by strong impulses, but with the element of mystery and hidden nature. Due to Scorpio’s vindictiveness and hidden nature, it is often considered the most malign of the signs, just as Ares is the most distrusted of the Olympians, but neither are “evil” and while unpleasant they are necessary for the inner workings of nature. Darkness is after all important to health in it’s Melatonin friendliness, especially when it’s connected to water.

Face value: 0.2 $
Issuing country: Samoa
Weight: 25 g
Diameter: 40 mm

Hephaestus‘ correspondence with Libra is derived from his role as the smith god. By crafting fire, he made the weapons that the gods use to impose justice, down to the scales of Dike, the goddess of justice, often thought to be the woman depicted in the sign. As just, Hephaestus is a god of innovation, taming the chaos of the flames to produce items to impose civilization.

Face Value: 2 cedis
Issuing Country: Ghana
Weight 1/2 oz
Silver: 999
Diameter 40 mm
Quality: proof
Year Date: 2022
Mintage: 1 000

Face value: 5 €
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 19.1 g
Metal: Brass
Mintage: 40,000

The black stork is an unmistakable bird species. The adult has mainly black plumage with white underparts, long coral red legs and a long pointed beak. The beak and eye areas are the same colour as the legs, and the black plumage has an intense greenish-purple sheen. Adults weigh between around 2.4 kg and 3.2 kg. Black storks are distributed throughout most of Europe and Asia, and most forest areas of Slovakia are nesting sites for these birds. They typically nest in mature deciduous and mixed forests, preferring areas with wetlands and watercourses where they can forage for food. They select large trees with strong horizontal branches and show high fidelity to breeding sites and nesting trees. The base of the nest is formed by thick branches, while the interior is lined with twigs, clumps of grass, lichens and moss. The female lays two to four eggs. Both parents feed the fledglings by regurgitating food onto the nest floor. Black storks feed on smaller fish, amphibians, insects, gastropods, small mammals and small birds. They migrate to wintering grounds mainly in August and September. In Slovakia, the black stork is a protected species.

Obverse:
The obverse of the euro collector coin depicts a black stork hunting on a body of water. In the background is a tree with a stork’s nest. An adult stork is depicted flying towards a chick in the nest, carrying food in its beak. On the upper left side is the Slovak coat of arms and, above it, the year of issuance ‘2023’. On the right side is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies. Inscribed along part of the right edge is the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’.

Reverse:
The reverse design depicts a black stork taking flight. To the right of this image are the denomination ‘5’ and currency ‘EURO’, one above the other. In the lower part of the design, next to the stork’s legs, are the stylised initials ‘MŠ’, referring to the coin’s designer Marie Šeborová. Inscribed along the lower edge and separated by a medial dot are the Slovak and scientific names for the black stork: ‘BOCIAN ČIERNY’ and ‘CICONIA NIGRA’.

Face vakue: 3 euro
Diameter; 32 mm
Weight: 15,0 g
Alloy: Bimetal;CuNi, nordic gold
Quality: UNC

Face value: Samoa 0,25$
Weight: 40gr
Diameter: 40 mm
Mintage: 6666

Proof copper coin with partial gold plating

In East Asian Buddhism, the Twelve Heavenly Generals or Twelve Divine Generals are the protective deities.

Face value: 5 €
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 19.1 g
Metal: Brass
Mintage: 45,000

The Danube salmon or huchen (Hucho hucho) is endemic to the Danube basin and is the only native salmonid species in Slovakia. This predatory fish, the largest European salmonid, can grow up to around 150 cm in length, weigh more than 50 kg, and have a lifespan exceeding 15 years. Its body is torpedo-shaped, with a large head and a terminal mouth extending beyond the back edge of the eye. An adipose fin is located between the caudal and dorsal fins. Coloration ranges from grey-green to reddish-brown, with dark spots. Juveniles are lighter in colour with dark stripes along the sides of the body. The Danube salmon inhabits fast-flowing submontane rivers with cold, well-oxygenated water. When young, it feeds on invertebrates and smaller fish; as an adult, its diet consists mostly of fish. Spawning occurs between March and April, following upstream migration. The female uses her tail to make a shallow depression (redd) in the gravel riverbed, where the eggs are laid and fertilised. Juveniles remain in shallower currents or smaller tributaries, while older individuals occupy deeper river sections. In Slovakia, the Danube salmon occurs in the foothill reaches of the Hron, Váh, Turiec, and Orava rivers, as well as in the Danube River itself, and has been introduced into the Poprad and the Dunajec rivers.
The Danube salmon is an endangered species of European conservation importance. It is threatened primarily by river impoundment and resulting migration barriers, as well as by water pollution and other environmental changes. Fishing is permitted only under strict conditions and requires a special licence.

Obverse:
The obverse depicts a Danube salmon in its natural habitat, preying on a smaller fish just below the river surface. The scene is complemented by aquatic plants and a pebbled riverbed. Above the waterline is the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVAKIA’ and the year of issuance ‘2025’. At the top of the field is the Slovak coat of arms, positioned between the coin’s denomination ‘5’ and currency ‘EURO’. At the right edge is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ between two dies.

Reverse:
The reverse design is divided in half by the surface of a river, with a mountain landscape above and two Danube salmon below. On the right side of the water’s surface is the species’ scientific name ‘HUCHO HUCHO’, and below it, across the width of the field, is the Slovak name ‘HLAVÁTKA PODUNAJSKÁ’. The fish are shown swimming above a pebbled riverbed with aquatic plants on the left. At the right edge are the stylised initials ‘TL’ of the coin’s designer, Tomáš Lamač.