Zodiac Series. Cancer. 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 rest, as it is larger than the others and has a sandblasted background, different from the smoother one of the others. It is the symbol of Aries. Part of the wheel is hidden by flames, a reminder of the element of the Aries sign, fire. The bust of a ram with majestic horns and a serene air occupies most of the central space on the obverse of the coin. The background features a starry sky in which the Aries 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 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. 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.

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.

Weight: 29 g x 12 tk + 1 x 89 g
Metal: Cu/NI
Diameter: 12 x 44 x 26,8 mm ; 1 x 65 mm
Face value: 1/2 $ x 13
Quality: Proof-like
Mintage: 18 888 coins

Featuring the 12 lunar animals in traditional Chinese painting art on fan-shaped coins – the Chinese character of each animal is represented on individual designs.

The 12 zodiac animals are placed around one big coin with a diameter of 65 mm – all coins are refined with 24K Gold Plating.

The beautiful collection comes with a lucky mintage of 18,888 pieces – perfect as a subscription program or complete set!

Denomination: 0,25 €
Alloy: Cupro-nickel Nordicgold
Weight: 15,8 g
Diameter: 34 mm
Quality Brilliant Uncirculated
Year: 2024

Surrounded by plum blossom, a popular symbol in Chinese history, art, and lanterns, the dragon’s depiction appeals to children. The inscription 'Year of the dragon’ and the yeardate appear at the center of the coin. The ideogram of the dragon appears below. On the reverse side, all the animals of the Chinese zodiac are drawn in a cartoon-like way around the Ying and Yang symbol. A complete cycle of the Chinese zodiac will be composed from 2018 to 2029

Face Value: 3 Euro
Quality: B.U,
Diameter: 34 mm
Metal: Copper/nickel
Weight: 16 g
Mintage: 65 000
Comes without packaging

A fleeting being flits through the air, an exquisitely delicate creature. But then it alights for a moment. And allows itself to be admired. – The coin allows you to become closely acquainted with a lovable elf.

The third coin in the ‘Magical and Mythical Creatures’ series depicts a colourful elf with butterfly wings. – Especially when ultraviolet light sweeps across her, she seems to come alive. – “Elves remind us that there’s more than we see with the naked eye alone. There’s the wood elf, the wind elf, the sun elf, the moon elf – and then there’s your elf.” (Thomas Brezina)

Elven Myths

Depending on which myth and which era we look at, a different image of elves prevails. The terms ‘elf’ and ‘fairy’ are often used interchangeably in everyday language today, but they have different mythological origins.

Elves come from Norse and Celtic mythology. They played an important role in medieval superstition. Elves were also frequently equated or confused with dwarves or demons.

In 19th-century children’s books, a friendlier image of elves began to take hold. It became common to imagine elves as small magical beings that live among flowers and flit about in nature.

In Iceland they are actually invisible. The so-called huldufólk – or the hidden people – are firmly rooted in local folklore. In legends and fairy tales, they populate wild and untouched nature. Nowadays, very few people in Iceland believe in elves in the literal sense. But for the vast majority, they certainly have significance as part of the cultural heritage. Today, a belief in elves primarily expresses appreciation for an ancient storytelling tradition and a close connection with nature. In Icelandic planning approval procedures, one aspect considered alongside others is whether a project would cause damage to cultural heritage. This includes features of the landscape such as large stones or rocks, which are regarded in Icelandic folklore as being inhabited by elves.

Coin motif

A winged elf in a little greenish dress has alighted on the coin. To her right, strawberries together with their blossoms and leaves can be seen in the foreground. To the left, an ornament printed in gold and a star are visible. A band around the edge, also printed in gold, is interrupted in places by the relief. – The colours of the mythical creature and the inscription ‘ELFE’ change in ultraviolet light, enhancing the magical effect of the motif.

The obverse features an intricately decorated key with the letter ‘F’ – ‘F’ as in fairy tale. In the background, a sun is depicted in the style of a silhouette, recessed into a circular relief with a subtle texture. The stars sparkling at the edge and all around, as well as the irregularly shaped letters, create a magical effect.

Face value: 5 €
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 19.1 g
Metal: Brass
Mintage: 55,000

The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is an aquatic turtle species. Native to Slovakia, the pond turtle was once widespread throughout the south of the country, but today its strongest populations are found in the Eastern Slovak Lowland and the Danubian Lowland. It is a protected reptile species that can live for more than 100 years. The pond turtle inhabits still or slowly flowing waters with muddy bottoms and rich vegetation, such as oxbow lakes, canals, ponds, lakes, and marshes. It is an excellent swimmer and diver and often basks in the sun on banks, tree trunks, or stones. Sandy areas are essential for egg laying. After overwintering, the hatchlings dig their way out and move to the water. Adults hibernate underwater, buried in mud. The pond turtle’s diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates, but it also feeds on frogs, tadpoles, fish, algae, and plants. Appropriate measures to support its conservation include the restoration of wetlands and nesting sites in their surroundings, as well as preventing the release of non-native invasive turtle species into the wild.

Obverse:
The obverse depicts a European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in its natural habitat. The bottom of the field features a white water lily rendered in colour. Above the turtle is the Slovak coat of arms, and below it, in the lower right, is the year of issuance ‘2026’. The name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’ is inscribed along the upper left edge.

Reverse:
The reverse design consists of two European pond turtles swimming in water. To their left are the coin’s denomination ‘5’ and currency ‘EURO’, one above the other. The inscription ‘KORYTNAČKA MOČIARNA’, the Slovak name of the European pond turtle, runs along the edge of the field from the upper left to the lower right, while the scientific name ‘EMYS ORBICULARIS’ is inscribed along the lower left edge. On the right side, among the bubbles between the turtles’ heads, are the stylised initials ‘KL’ of the coin’s designer, Karol Ličko, and the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ between two dies.