2018 - Niue 1 NZD Silver Coin Steppe Polecat - Proof

Since 2013 the Czech Mint publishes four colored silver coins every year as a commemoration of the irretrievably disappearing representatives of the plant and animal kingdom. The quartet from the "Endangered Nature" cycle is the last one in 2018. It is launched by a creature whose name does not make the most pleasant feelings - the steppe polecat.

A typical feature of the steppe polecats, the beasts of the mustelidae, is marking of the territory by the odour glands under the tail. The intensely smelly secretion also protects the steppe polecat from the enemies, who, after being splashed, immediately retreat. Its home is primarily steppe biotopes as the name of the species suggests. The area of ​​the steppe polecats extends from Central Europe to northwest China. The Czech Republic forms the western boundary of this species area. However, specific reports on the current occurrence are completely missing. The mysterious beast is so inconspicuous in our nature that it escapes all attempts to be observed. It could happen that the steppe polecat will completely disappear without anyone notice it. Currently, it is ranked among the heavily endangered species.

Animal performed by an expert medal maker MgA. Martin Dašek is traditionally shown on the reverse side of the coin. The top of the coin presents a general view of the steppe polecat in vivid colors achieved by tampon printing technology. The lower part of the coin features a detailed relief view on the face of the beast. The reversal inscription bears the bilingual name of the animal species: STEPPE POLECAT - MUSTELA EVERSMANNII. The commemorative coins of the Czech Mint are based on the license of a foreign issuer, which is the Pacific island of Niue. Their obverse side therefore bears its necessary attributes, which are the profile and the name of the Emperor Elizabeth II, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD), together with the year of the issue 2018. The composition of the obverse side is complemented by natural scenery from the workshop of an academic female sculptor Majka Wichner.

The coin is stored in an illustrated packaging that discusses the life of the steppe polecats. You can save it in a collector's box which is also offered by the Czech Mint.