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Poľana Mountains Protected Landscape Area

€20 silver collector coin

The obverse side of the coin
The reverse side of the coin

The Poľana Mountains in central Slovakia, sometimes dubbed “the volcanic heart of Slovakia”, include one of the best conserved extinct volcanoes in Europe, Mount Poľana. Owing to its exceptional natural assets, Poľana was declared a Protected Landscape Area in 1981, is included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network of nature protection areas. Poľana is a largely forested area, with native spruce groves occupying its highest points in Zadná Poľana. Areas deforested in the past now form precious meadows, pastures, and glades that feature flora such as globeflowers, cotton grass and orchids. Endangered birds nesting in Poľana include the peregrine falcon, the European honey buzzard and, occasionally, the golden eagle. Poľana is also home to wolves, lynxes and brown bears. Beautiful nature gently touched by sensitive hands, hardworking people who share the deep joy and pride of living here: this is Poľana.

  • Description of the coin

    Obverse:
    The collector coin’s obverse design depicts two stags fighting, watched by six does. The left side shows a rock formation of volcanic origin – part of the Kalamárka natural monument. The Slovak coat of arms appears at the upper left of the design. To its right are the coin’s denomination ‘20’ and currency ‘EURO’, one above the other. Along the bottom edge is the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’, with the year of issuance ‘2020’ above it. To the left of the year of issuance are the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies, and the stylised letters ‘MP’ referring to the coin’s designer Mária Poldaufová.

    Reverse:
    The reverse depicts the Bystrý potok waterfall, a national natural monument. Along the left edge of the design appears a fragment of traditional ornamentation. Below it there is the name ‘POĽANA’ and a depiction of the Sudeten mountain pansy (viola lutea sudetica). The words ‘CHRÁNENÁ KRAJINNÁ OBLASŤ’ (Protected Landscape Area) are inscribed along the bottom and most of the right edge of the design.

  • Coin details
    Designer:Mária Poldaufová
    Composition:.925 silver, .75 copper
    Weight:33.63 g
    Diameter:40 mm
    Edge:OCHRANA PRÍRODY A KRAJINY
    (Nature and countryside conservation)
    Producer:Kremnica Mint
    Engraver:Dalibor Schmidt
    Issuing volume:3,000 coins in brilliant uncirculated quality
    6,750 coins in proof quality
    Issuing date:17 September 2020

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