Zodiac Series. Aries. France 5€ 2026 base metal coin.

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of Sagittarius. Part of the wheel is hidden by flames, a reminder of this sign's element, fire. A centaur armed with a bow and arrow, ready to be shot, rears up in the center of the composition. In the background, the starry sky features the constellation Sagittarius.

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background that differs from the others. It is the symbol of Libra. Part of the wheel is hidden by spirals of mist, in reference to air, the element of this sign. At the very center of the design stands a balance. Its column, surrounded by ivy, resembles a sword, an attribute of Justice, to which it is also associated. Its pans seem slightly weightless as they weigh the sun on one side and a crescent moon on the other. In the background, the constellation Libra is outlined against a starry sky.

Issuing Country: France
Face value: 5 €
Metal: Copper/Nickel
Weight: 11,7 g
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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the Gemini symbol. In reference to the sign's element, air, part of the wheel is hidden by spirals of mist. In the middle of these, twins, a man and a woman, are intertwined. Behind them, the sun and a quarter-moon stand out against a starry sky featuring the Gemini constellation.

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.

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the Lion symbol. Part of the wheel is hidden by flames, a reminder of the element of the Leo sign, fire. The circular space is dominated by the bust of a Lion with a masterly mane, a sun on his forehead and a noble gaze. The background features a starry sky with the constellation Leo.

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of the Virgo. The main feature of the engraving is the bust of a woman whose long hair is topped with a crown of flowers. She is gazing over her shoulder with an air of mystery. Around her, a backdrop of leaves, mushrooms and crystals recalls the element of the sign, earth. In the background, a starry sky features the constellation of Virgo

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of Scorpio. The lower part of the wheel is embedded in a wave, in reference to water, the element of this sign. A Scorpion, its shell and claws adorned with arabesques, hugs the circular shape of the coin as it arcs into it. In the background, a starry sky features the Scorpio 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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of the Taurus. A pattern of leaves, mushrooms and crystals, reminiscent of the sign's element, earth, surrounds the imposing bust of a bull. The animal's horns and forehead are adorned with arabesques. The starry sky in the background features the Taurus 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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. This is the Cancer symbol. The lower part of the wheel is drowned in a wave, in reference to water, the element of this sign. A crab, its entire body decorated with ornamental lines, spreads out its limbs in the center of the design. The background features a starry sky in which the constellation Cancer is outlined.

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of Aquarius. Part of the wheel is hidden by spirals of mist, in reference to air, the element of this sign. Another part of the wheel is submerged by water poured from the spout of an ornate vase. A starry sky with the constellation Aquarius can be seen in the background.

Materiall: CuNi
Weight: 9g
Diameter: 26,9 mm
Mintage: 100 000

It is the third coin issued as part of the “Wonderful world of insects” series, which will see a total of nine coins with partially coloured motifs issued over the period 2022-24. The series is intended to bring into focus – especially in light of current developments (insect extinction) – a special group of animals that make up a significant part of our natural heritage.

The €5 collectors’ coin “Swallowtail” is made of a cupronickel alloy. It weighs 9.68 g, measures 27.25 mm in diameter and will be available both in mint condition and with a proof-like finish. The mint condition coins will be brought into circulation at their face value (€5). The collector quality coins with a proof-like finish will be higher than their face value and will be issued by the Münze Deutschland (Germany’s official sales agency for collector coins).

The coin was designed by Bastian Prillwitz, an artist based in Berlin (picture side), and Andre Witting, a Berlin-based artist (reverse).

The reverse, which will be used for all coins in the series, features an eagle, the words “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND”, the value and denomination, the year 2023, the twelve stars of Europe and the letter “G” for the State Mint of Karlsruhe.

Its smooth edge is engraved with the inscription: “WUNDERWELT INSEKTEN” (WONDERFUL WORLD OF INSECTS).

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

Obverse:
The obverse depicts a male western capercaillie in a heathland environment, together with a female of the species in the lower right of the design. In the background are conifer trees and an upright, splintered tree trunk. The Slovak coat of arms appears on the right side of the design, below the coin’s denomination and currency: ‘5 EURO’. Inscribed along the top edge are the name of the issuing country and the year of issuance: ‘SLOVENSKO 2024’. Next to the right edge is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies.

Reverse:
The reverse is dominated by an image of a male western capercaillie perched on a branch. The Slovak name of the species, ‘HLUCHÁŇ HÔRNY’, is inscribed along the bottom edge of the design, while the scientific name, ‘TETRAO UROGALLUS’, appears along the upper left edge. To the right of the capercaillie is the tip of a pine branch with a cone, next to which are the stylised letters ‘TL’, referring to the coin’s designer Tomáš Lamač.

The western capercaillie is one of the largest bird species in Slovakia. The cock is black except for a bluish-green metallic sheen on the chest and for chestnut-brown wings with a white spot on the bow. The feathers below the beak are elongated and protruding, and above each eye there is a bright red spot of skin. The relatively long black tail feathers have whitish spots and broaden at the end. The hen is plainer, with a chestnut-brown, mottled plumage and a noticeable rust-coloured breast patch. The young are similar in appearance to the hen, though with somewhat less pronounced mottling. In Slovakia, the western capercaillie is found in coniferous and mixed forests at altitudes from 600 to 1,550 metres above sea level. The species thrives in scattered swathes of old, primeval-like mountain forest. The western capercaillie nests on the ground, in a shallow depression lined with dry leaves, twigs, and grass blades or pine needles. Egg-laying occurs in April-May, with the hen typically laying six to nine yellowish-brown speckled eggs. In winter and early spring, the western capercaillie feeds almost entirely on pine needles, shoots and buds, while in the summer its diet extends to various berries and plant leaves, plus an animal component consisting mainly of insects. The western capercaillie is a solitary creature, except when the two sexes come together in the mating season. During courting, the cock postures himself with raised and fanned tail feathers, erect neck, and beak pointed skywards. The western capercaillie is a protected species in Slovakia.

Face value: Samoa 2$
Weight: 31,1 gr
Silver: 99,9%
Diameter: 40 mm
Mintage: 2024

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

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 it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background that differs from the others. It is the symbol of Libra. Part of the wheel is hidden by spirals of mist, in reference to air, the element of this sign. At the very center of the design stands a balance. Its column, surrounded by ivy, resembles a sword, an attribute of Justice, to which it is also associated. Its pans seem slightly weightless as they weigh the sun on one side and a crescent moon on the other. In the background, the constellation Libra is outlined against a starry sky.

Face value: Samoa 2$
Weight: 31,1 gr
Silver: 99,9%
Diameter: 40 mm
Mintage: 2025

In East Asian Buddhism, the Twelve Heavenly Generals or Twelve Divine Generals are the protective deities, or yaksha, of Bhaisajyaguru, the buddha of healing. They are introduced in the Bhai?ajyaguruvaiduryaprabharaja Sutra.