The capercaillie 2015 | 100 Euro | gold coin

Wildlife series

The capercaillie: of striking and distinctive beauty. - 16 grams of pure gold; highest minting quality and the in all details exact, exceedingly charming portrait of a very special forest dweller. Our coin: as attractive as the capercaillie itself.

Austria is one of the last countries where the capercaillie is rare, but still occurs in larger numbers.

The capercaillies with their broad feathers, bright red spots over the eyes and metallic green shimmering breast have little in common with the capercaillies externally. The feathers and the manners of the gentlemen serve only one purpose: to make an impression on the ladies! And that is more important today than ever. Because also with us the Auerhuhnbestand decays into ever smaller, from each other isolated groups. Capercaillies are typical forest birds. But although the forest area is increasing every year, the habitat is shrinking. Because our forests are getting denser and denser. Capercaillies, however, are large birds that need space to fly and love sparse, old forest with lots of ground vegetation.

Text courtesy of the Austrian Mint.