2016-10-19 Wed

Portugal started a new coin series celebrating endangered animals and the conservation activities that are being conducted to save them in the region on 12th October.

The first coin features the face of an Iberian Lynx on the obverse with the inscription “Lince / Iberico” A lynx sitting on a rock surface which is its natural habitat is shown on the reverse. The Portuguese coat of arms, 5€ and the text Portugal 2016 are the other inscriptions.

The mintage limit of the 5 €uro Cupro-nickel 10 g Uncirculated coin is 75,000 and that of the 5 €uro .925 silver 14 g Proof coin is 2,500.

This species was found in Spain, Portugal, and southern France, but has not been seen in Portugal since the 1990s. The Iberian Lynx is different from the broader lynx species. They have a tiny head, flashing facial ruff, long legs, dark ear cluster, and a very short, dark-tipped tail. They generally have a yellowish to reddish brown coloured body with many dark brown or black spots in different sizes.

Experts state that it would become the first cat species to become extinct in at least 2,000 years. Conservative efforts have increased the population from 100 cats in 2002 to 300 cats living in the forests of the Iberia.