Utilizați butonul de Translate din dreapta pagini pentru traducere.
The Central Bank of Luxembourg continues its coin series dedicated to the fauna of the Grand Duchy with a new collector coin featuring the European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), one of the most recognizable small mammals in the country's forests and parks.
The coin, with a face value of 5 euros, combines 925 sterling silver and Nordic gold, and has been minted in Proof quality by the Royal Netherlands Mint. Its mintage is limited to just 2,000 pieces, presented in a case accompanied by an illustrated educational booklet.
The red squirrel, a small ally of the forests
With this broadcast, Luxembourg once again focuses attention on the biodiversity that inhabits its natural spaces. The star is the red squirrel, or European red squirrel, an arboreal, diurnal species widely distributed across Europe and much of northern Asia.
Its scientific name, Sciurus vulgaris, was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Although it is often immediately associated with reddish fur, its coloration can vary considerably between individuals, ranging from light orange tones to very dark browns. The belly, however, generally remains white.
Among its most distinctive features is its long, bushy tail, which can reach a length similar to its body. Besides partially protecting it from the cold, it uses its tail for balance and steering when moving among branches, jumping, or descending tree trunks. During the winter, the characteristic tufts of hair adorning its ears also become more visible.
The red squirrel's diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, pine nuts, acorns, shoots, and fungi. During periods of greater abundance, it hides some of its food in different parts of the forest to retrieve it during the colder months, as it does not hibernate completely.
This behavior also has positive consequences for the ecosystem. Some of the stored seeds are not recovered and end up germinating, making these animals unwitting collaborators in forest regeneration and the dispersal of various plant species.
Although the red squirrel is not currently considered threatened globally, its populations can be affected locally by forest fragmentation, habitat loss, trafficking, and competition with introduced species. The Central Bank of Luxembourg emphasizes that protecting species like this is essential for conserving the country's biodiversity.
CURRENCY
Obverse
The obverse features a red squirrel perched on a branch, holding a seed in its front paws. The face value, 5 EURO, is displayed to the left, while the scientific name of the species, SCIURUS VULGARIS, appears at the bottom. Next to the right end of the branch is the stylized signature SD of Italian designer Sandra Deiana.
Reverse
The reverse of the coin shows the effigy of Grand Duke William V, depicted in profile and looking to the left.
On the left side of the bust is the year of issue, 2026, while below it appears the name of the country in Luxembourgish, LËTZEBUERG. The initials AH, corresponding to the Austrian designer Helmut Andexlinger, can be seen at the bottom of the neck.
Technical specifications
Country Luxembourg
Year 2026
Face value 5 euros
Series Fauna of Luxembourg
Reason Red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris )
Composition 925 silver and Nordic gold
Total weight 14.93 g
Weight of silver 9 g
Weight of Nordic gold 5.93 g
Diameter 34 mm
Quality Proof
Singing Smooth
Print run 2,000 coins
Mint Royal Netherlands Mint
Design Sandra Deiana and Helmut Andexlinger
Date of issue July 2026
Sursa informațiilor aici.
.jpg)
