The Dutch Ministry of Finance have issued (18th August) their latest collector coins which mark the 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund. The international World Wide Fund for Nature was founded on the 11th of September 1961, and the Dutch branch was founded 1 year later.
Designed by artist Willehad Eilers, the obverse of both the gold and silver coins depicts a small cameo portrait of HM Queen Beatrix within a field of overlapping leaves which form the crown of a tree. The reverse, depicts the exact opposite of the tree’s crown, that of the impressive root structure required to nourish the tree allowing it to grow. The denomination of the coins also appears on the reverse along with the year of issue.
Both sides have their own symbolic meaning that become more powerful when seen together. The exquisitely crafted design and its 3D interpretation is more startling when viewed at an angle, as the tree appears in full.
The .925 silver coin has a 5 EURO face value and is struck in proof quality. It weighs 15.5 grams and is 33 mm in diameter. The total mintage is limited to 17,500 pieces.
The .900 gold coin has a 10 EURO face value and is also struck in proof quality. It weighs 6.72 grams and is 22,5 mm in diameter. The mintage for the gold coin is 4,000 pieces.
For more information on this and other coins offered by the Royal Dutch Mint, please visit their website at: http://www.knm.nl/Homepage/nl/page/175/ The information is presently only in Dutch.
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