If we want to understand how it works Charles Darwin’s natural selection, there is no need to go to the Galápagos Islands. The lizards of the Croatian islands are as varied and interesting as the tortoises of the Galápogos. The Croatian Mint dedicated the latest edition of the series Autochthonous Croatia to a very special species of lizard.
Three euro coins in gold and silver: a 100 euro gold coin, a 10 euro coin and a silver coin with a face value of 4 euros, all to pay homage to a particular subspecies of the Dalmatian wall lizard. With its striking turquoise spots, this black lizard is a perfect example that natural selection cannot only be observed in the Galápagos Islands. Similar conditions prevail on the Croatian islands, from which they originate a myriad of Dalmatian lizard species.
The 100 euro gold coin, weighing one ounce, for the Brusnik black lizard
The island of Brusnik and its unique lizards
During the last ice age, the sea did not yet separate the Croatian islands from the mainland. Croatia’s wildlife could move and spread throughout the area. The situation has changed about 18,000 years ago when more than a thousand small islands were bornwhich make Croatia such a fascinating place to visit.
The plants and animals of these territories remained rather isolated, which is why some subspecies have developed to adapt to the particular circumstances of their living environment. This led to the creation of species that can only be found on some Croatian islands. One of them is the black lizard, native to the island of Brusnik.
Brusnik is a small uninhabited island, protected since 1951. Its black lava soil and sparse vegetation are home to numerous endemic species. Brusnik’s lizard with spectacular colors she is the protagonist of the second issue of the Native Croatia series. The rather small animal – without a tail, its body measures only 5 to 6.5 centimeters – was first described in 1877.
The silver version with a nominal value of 4 euros
A biological “weather forecast” system
The fishermen of the nearby island of Vis, however, had known and used the small lizard for much longer. Before 1951 they loved to go to the rich fishing grounds of Brusnik, about 15 kilometers away as the crow flies. They took the black lizard sunbathing on the lava ground as stable time indicator. However, when the lizards retreated to their hiding places, the weather would probably change and the fishermen would rush back to the port of Vis.
The design of the three new euro coins of Croatia
The three euro gold and silver coins of Croatia feature the same design created by Nikola Vudrag. The obverse depicts the black lizard with its characteristic small scales seen from above. In the field there are schematic drawings and handwritten notes, reminiscent of a notebook of the kind used by zoologists on 19th-century expeditions to record their impressions. The legend reads PODARCIS MELISELLENSIS MELISELLENSIS 2024.
The reverse is inspired by the design of the first issue of the series Autochthonous Croatia: as for the Dalmatian dog, also for the black lizard the animal’s head is depicted on a section of the map of Croatia; the Adriatic Sea is highlighted by thin, wavy lines. The district reads REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA CRNA GUŠTERICA (“black lizard”) 100 EURO or 10 or 4 EURO.
The lizard’s head on the obverse of the 100 euro gold coin is colored, giving it a realistic look. The attention to detail in transferring the design of the 32mm and 38.61mm gold and silver coins to the 1/16th ounce gold coin measuring just 15mm in diameter is truly remarkable.
The 10 euro gold micro coin, 1/16 of an ounce and 15 millimeters in diameter
Issue date and sales prices
Anyone who wanted to get one of the colored 100 euro gold issues at source will be disappointed: after the launch on March 14, it only took a short time for these gold coins to be completely sold out. 10 euro gold coins and 4 euro silver coins can still be purchase directly from the Croatian Mint’s e-shop by clicking here. Their price is adjusted daily, depending on the current price of silver. Added to this is the VAT of the country where the buyer shipped the coin.
Characteristics of gold and silver coins
- 100 euro coin 2024 black lizard (native Croatia) g 31.103 / mm 32 / gold .9999 / BU / 200 pieces
- 10 euro coin 2024 black lizard (native Croatia) g 1.944 / mm 15 / gold .9999 / BU / 2000 pieces
- 4 euro coin 2024 black lizard (native Croatia) g 31.103 / mm 38.61 / Silver .9999 / BU / 4000 pieces
Tags: EURO COINS gold silver BLACK LIZARD
