Numiscollect @ WMF: The life cycle of the lion is explored in the first Growing Up, bi-finish coin

That most magnificent of cats, the Lion, is the subject of Numiscollect’s first foray into the life cycle of some of the world’s truly impressive animals. It appears that each coin will depict a fully grown animal on its reverse face, with the obverse showing us the young creature. There’s a little more to it than that, however.

For the first time, the coin will carry a black proof finish on one face, and a standard proof finish on the other. Black proof is a finish developed by CIT/BH Mayer and displays a fine ability to instill a uniform, high-quality dark look to a coin, while staying fundamentally the same as a proof strike.

Numiscollect have combined the two, using the black finish on the reverse, perhaps hinting at the dark nature of this apex predator, and a normal proof finish on the obverse to display the more innocent cub. The cubs reflection in the water is an adult, a terrific little touch. Indeed, the whole coin displays some outstanding depictions of the lion, with great anatomy and character.

A two-ounce fine silver coin, it has a mintage of just 333 pieces and comes boxed with a C.O.A. Smartminting lifts this to a high level, literally, with tons of detail on the high-relief reverse face. An excellent first issue in the series and certainly one to watch ‘grow up’ in time. Available to pre-order now.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The lion is the largest cat of all, next to the tiger. The males have an impressive appearance with their large forest mane. Lions are at the top of the food chain in their habitat, whether that be the grasslands, the desert, or open forests. They play a vital role in balancing the abundance of herbivores such as zebras and wildebeests, which affect forests and grasslands. Lions are the only felines that live in family groups for a long time. Usually, a group consists of about five related females, their young and an adult male. A group occupies its territory guarded by the male against rivals.

The coin’s reverse depicts the lion with his impressive appearance and large forest mane. You can see the lion’s thoughts about the transformation of his appearance since he was young.

The coin’s obverse side depicts the lion in his younger years drinking from the water. You can see how big and powerful it will become later in the reflection. It also depicts the Coat of Arms, with the same reflection in the water, and the inscriptions: “TANZANIA” (the issuing country), “2021” (the year of issue) and “1500 SHILLINGS” (the face value).

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION 1,500 Shillings (Tanzania)
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 62.2 grams
DIMENSIONS 45.0 mm
FINISH Black Proof / Proof
MODIFICATIONS High-relief, Smartminting
MINTAGE 333
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes