Germany: New Gold Coins Released In Current Return Of Wildlife Series Features Eurasian Beaver

Many species in Germany have experienced a successful resurgence in population thanks to successful conservation activities. The focus of the third 20 euro gold coin series entitled ‘Return of the Wild Animals’ draws attention to the successful protection of a species in Germany and a wild animal that was almost extinct and has now found new habitats. After the release of gold coins featuring the grey seal in 2022 and the ibex last year, 2024 features the beaver.

As a direct result of human encroachment on their native habitats, the Eurasian beaver which is originally native to Europe and Asia, was wiped out in large parts of Europe and almost all of Germany in the 19th century. Only a few species survived along the Elbe but, thanks to consistent protection measures and releases into the wild, the population has recovered significantly in recent decades. The ideal habitat of the beaver is slow-flowing and stagnant water with trees near the banks. Like no other animal, it deliberately and instinctively intervenes in this habitat and shapes it into barriers by felling trees, building huts and dams, and diverting streams. By doing so, the beaver creates optimal living conditions for other animals and plants and contributes to the dynamics of aquatic landscapes. For example, the entrance to a beaver's den is always under water to protect it from enemies. If the water level is insufficient or fluctuates too much, the beaver increases the level of water by building a dam with greater depth thus increasing the water surface and reducing the flow rate. By creating these ponds, the beaver also creates an important habitat for many plants, fish, amphibians, insects, and birds. In addition, this strengthens the banks, prevents rivers from silting up, and mitigates flooding. Rivers shaped by beavers therefore offer the best flood protection.

Beavers are herbivores and fell trees not only to build dams, but also to obtain food, eating the tasty young twigs and buds from the treetops and the bark in winter. Its family group usually consists of the parents and the last two generations of young. They live in various burrows that can be over ten meters wide with several entrances and a main cauldron which is always in the middle of a burrow. The territory, which is connected by escape tubes as well as hidden exits, is marked and defended by all family members with castoreum, an oily secretion from glands on the back of the body.

The coin is designed by the artist Natalie Tekampe and features a detailed depiction of Germany's largest rodent. Confident and wild, the beaver is shown looking directly at the viewer. The thick fur is detailed on the torso and on the head with the tail or so-called trowel and the front paws given particular attention. The contemporary lettering BIBER (beaver) placed just to the lower left along the rim. The reverse side depicts a stylised eagle which is centred with the text BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND placed above the eagle along the upper rim. The year of issue 2024 is shown just above the eagle’s head. A series of six five-pointed stars are placed on either side of the denomination 20 EURO which is placed below the eagle. The mintmark letter is seen just to the right of the eagle, all five German state Mints will produce the coin, Berlin (A), Munich (D), Stuttgart (F), Karlsruhe (G), Hamburg (J). 

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of Munze Deutschland.