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Distributors (PDF) "Currencies and Species" collection Currencies and Species is a collection of coins made of pure silver (fineness 0.999). The collection comprises an album and 10 coins with images of animals in danger of extinction in Mexico. It is a limited edition and some of the revenues will be earmarked for conservation programs.
Coins description Golden Eagle This species is the national bird of Mexico and is featured on the National Shield. It is recognized by the color of its plumage, which is dark brown except for the neck where it is a bright golden color; the skin on its feet and under its beak is yellow.
Harpy Eagle The largest and strongest eagle in the world, the Harpy Eagle’s wing span (the distance between its extended wings) measures 2 m. while its body is 1m long. Its distinctive features include its large size, a crest of long black feathers on its head and the color of its plumage, which is pale grey on its head and white on its underside; a black band separates the head from the chest while its wings are black. Its beak is strong and hooked, and it has very powerful talons and claws that are as long as a man’s fingers.
American antelope The American antelope is similar to African antelopes; actually, it is not an antelope but belongs to a family of hoofed mammals (which have hooves for feet) exclusive to North America. It is similar in size to a deer and takes it name from the color of its short fur, which makes it easily recognizable. It is two-colored: its back, haunch and neck are a cinnamon color while its underside and tail are white; it also has two white bands on its neck and cheeks. Its horns can measure up to 50 cm. long and consist of two parts: a bone core and an outer layer of hard hair. Each year they shed the outer part of the horns.
River crocodile The river crocodile is Mexico’s largest reptile. The oldest males can measure more than 5 m. long. They have a long body covered in very hard scales which form small crests on their back and become two threads which run to the end of the tail. Short webbed feet help them swim. Their tails are very long and strong; their head is flat and they have long snouts with large fangs. Their eyes and nostrils are located on the upper part of the head and the snout so enabling them to see and breathe above water while their body remains submerged.
Jaguar The jaguar is North America’s largest cat. Adults weigh up to 150 kg. and measure 180 cm. long in addition to a 70 cm. tail. They have a stout body and short fur which is usually a yellow ochre color and is covered in large black spots on their back; on their sides the spots form rosettes with a black one in the middle; their chest and throat are white and also have spots. Although they are very rare black jaguars also exist.
Sea cow The sea cow is a very large aquatic mammal fully adapted to living in the water. Its body is long, stout and cylindrical. It has a large round, wide and flat tail like an oar. Instead of hind feet it has two long rounded flippers.
River otter The river otter known, also in Mexico as “water dog”, is a charming mammal which belongs to the mustelid family, which includes, among others, skunks, badgers and weasels. The river otter is an animal with semi aquatic habits, as it spends most of the day swimming or snorkeling in rivers, lakes and lagoons, mainly near coastlands, although some populate the large rivers and lakes of some mountains. They find most of their food (fish, crabs and frogs mainly) in such places as well as a safe refuge when in peril.
Black bear The black bear is Mexico’s largest carnivore; it measures between 1.3 and 2 meters long and weighs between 100 and 250 kg or more. It has a large head and ears and a very small tail which is hardly visible. As its name suggests, its fur is mostly black (except its snout, which is usually a honey color) although there are also dark brown and cinnamon-colored bears. Black bears do not have humps; their feet are very big with short black hooked claws less than 50 mm long.
Prairie dog The prairie dog is a burrowing rodent similar to a large squirrel. They can weigh up to 1.5 kg. They have short feet with long claws for burrowing. Their head and ears are round. They have short tails with a black spot on the tip.
Volcano rabbit Also known as "teporingo" or "zacatuche", the volcano rabbit is an endemic species (exclusively Mexican) and is considered to be one of the most primitive rabbits. It is also the smallest of Mexican rabbits. Besides its small size it is also known for the color of its fur, which is dark dove-grey, and its small round ears. Adult volcano rabbits can measure up to 30 cm. long and weigh approximately 500 grams. Their feet are also very small; their tail is so small it is hardly visible.
Common obverse side In the center is the National Shield in raised relief surrounded by the words: “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS”. Framing it are reproductions of the different shields used throughout Mexican history as well as the eagle that appears in the middle of the first page of the Codex Mendocino.
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Animals in danger of extinction
