ART MINT (France)

2000 francs CFA

62,2 g

50 mm

Silver 999°

150 pcs

Antique Finish, 3D ultra high relief

ART MINT (France)/ Lithuanian mint

This coin celebrates the 550th Anniversary of Albrecht Durer’s birth with a representation of his famous Rhinocerus.

The reverse of the coin depicts a beautiful image of Durer’s Rhinoceros in High Relief. The image is based on a written description and brief sketch by an unknown Indian artist. At the top of the reverse, the inscription: “RHINOCERUS” – the name of the coin; at the bottom, Albrecht Durer’s signature and the inscriptions: “1471 – 1528” – the year of birth and death of the artist.

The obverse of the coin features the Coat of Arms of Cameron and the inscriptions: "REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN" - the issuing country, "2000 FRANCS CFA" - the face value and "2021" - the year of issue.

Dürer's Rhinoceros is the name commonly given to a woodcut executed by German painter and printmaker Albrecht Dürer in 1515. The image is based on a written description and brief sketch by an unknown artist of an Indian rhinoceros that had arrived in Lisbon in 1515. Dürer never saw the actual rhinoceros, which was the first living example seen in Europe since Roman times.

Dürer's woodcut is not an entirely accurate representation of a rhinoceros. Despite its anatomical inaccuracies, Dürer's woodcut became very popular in Europe and was copied many times in the following three centuries. It was regarded by Westerners as a true representation of a rhinoceros into the late 18th century. Eventually, it was supplanted by more realistic drawings and paintings, particularly those of Clara the rhinoceros, who toured Europe in the 1740s and 1750s. It has been said of Dürer's woodcut: "probably no animal picture has exerted such a profound influence on the arts".