2019 1oz Silver Coin - GIANTS OF THE ICE AGE - WOOLLY MAMMOTH

The woolly mammoth lived during the Pleistocene until its extinction in the early Holocene epoch. It was broadly similar in size to the African Elephant with males hitting shoulder heights of 3.4 m, and weights of 6 tons. Females reached 2.9 m and 4 tons.

Adapted to the cold with a thick, two-layer fur covering, they had small ears and tail to guard against frostbite and heat loss. Tusks were huge and curved.  They only disappeared around 10,000 years ago, although some populations were still present on St Paul Island as recent as 5,600 years ago and on Wrangel Island 4,000 years ago. Remains are common and include frozen corpses that are almost complete.  It is extremely rare to see coins featuring life that existed after their extinction some 65 million years ago. 

German dealer Auragentum launched a bullion coin series in 2019 that is showcasing eight of these large beasts. Struck for them by German mint, Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung.

1oz of fine silver .999.

Limited edition – 15,000 worldwide.