Germany continues its Native Birds gold coin series with the Owl

The third of six coins in Germany’s ‘Native Birds’ series of 1/8th oz gold coins is now available. Depicting the Eagle Owl, it follows the 2016 Nightingale and 2017 Oriole issues. The series has been designed by three artists, each responsible for two coins, although the designer of this coin, Adelheid Fuss, also did the common obverse used by all of them. Struck in 0.9999 fineness to an uncirculated finish, the coin will be minted at five different mints throughout Germany and each will leave its own mintmark on the obverse – Berlin (A), Munich (D), Stuttgart (F), Karlsruhe (G) and Hamburg (J).

The mintage is quite huge for a gold coin. Limited to 200,000 overall, each mint will strike 40,000 pieces. There are three more coins to come. Next year will see a Peregrine Falcon by Bodo Bansai, 2020 a White Stork by Adelaide Base, and 20121 a Black Woodpecker by Frantisek Chochola. A good looking series, the Nightingale is our favourite to date, but no doubt you’ll have a favourite of your own. They sell for around €185.00 each.

REVERSE: depicts an Eagle Owl by artist Adelheid Fuss. The owl is perched on a branch. The inscription ‘UHU’ (Owl) is placed at top-right and the artists initials ‘AF’ at bottom left.

OBVERSE: depicts the German eagle surrounded by twelve starts. Around that is inscribed the issuer, date and denomination.