2022-02-16 Wed

The Mint of Austria has launched a new five-coin collector series in 2021 which brings together extraordinary animals one from each inhabited continent.

This first coin in the series “The Eyes of the World” features Australia’s mythical rainbow serpent, which was considered the creator of the world by Australian aborigines who believe that a rainbow serpent was God’s messenger, teaching moral and spiritual laws.

According to Aboriginal Australians from myth and narrated tales from generation to generation, the rainbow serpent brings order, clarity, and meaning to a chaotic, dark, and mysterious world. Of particular interest is the rainbow serpents’ ability to reproduce on its own. As it can shed its skin, it is also believed the serpent stands upright for recreation and among mythical creatures this serpent is regarded as the most creative one.

Designed and engraved by Helmut Andexlinger and Anna Rastl of the Austrian Mint, the coin’s obverse features an illustration of a snake slithering out of some foliage. This is bordered by a dotted pattern reminiscent of an Aboriginal Australian dot painting. Included in the design are the coin’s issuing authority, REPUBLIK OSTERREICH, and the year of issue, 2021, along with the denomination of 20 EURO.

The coin’s reverse is dominated by a large stylised snake head. The snake’s eye is made from a refined and polished Swarovski crystal which is orange-coloured and drop-shaped from which a nuanced light is refracted.

Image Courtesy: muenzen-online.com