09 June 2023
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The 2023 African Animal Masks series is concluding with the meerkat
The sixth and final coin in the African Animalm masks series features the Meerkat. Issued on behalf of Sierra Leone, this new series has been produced in Virenium®.
Africa is home to an abundance of wildlife, including some of the world’s most famous fauna. Unfortunately, as the result of poaching and hunting the chances of sighting these magnificent beings in action is rapidly diminishing, with 27% of the world’s endangered animals residing in Africa alone.
Many years ago, Africa posed as a welcoming habitat for its residents, with hundreds of thousands of carnivorous mammals wandering in nearly every region of the continent. However, today only a fraction of them remain, their once large territory has been reduced to only a few protected regions and they are under constant threat.
The design of the sixth and final coin features the head of a Meerkat styled as though it is an African mask with a special incused rim, which features an African pattern to continue the theme along with the animal’s name and value.
Meerkats have long been a firm favourite among tourists and safari goers. With their endearing appearance and comical antics, they are highly sociable and can be found throughout the desert. Despite their small size, Meerkats are surprisingly resilient, often surviving attacks from venomous creatures. They can regularly be seen in large family groups throughout the day, but are most easily observed at dusk during their feeding hours.
This series features the following African Animals: Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Meerkat. The obverse of all coins will bear the Coat of Arms of Sierra Leone.
Item Code: L1176106
Issue Limit: 950
Diameter: 28.40mm
Weight: 8.00gms
Release & Order Date: 08/06/23
Product delivery Date: 08/06/23
$1 Virenium® Meerkat