Silver Investment Coin Ice Age Giants - Pratur 1 Oz 2021

Giants of the Ice Age - Aurochs

Minted at the German mint Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH in 2021, the 1 Oz (31.1 g) investment silver coin in the purest 99.9% silver purity is part of the Giants of the Ice Age series, which will introduce eight giants of the Ice Age over four years. The sixth coin in the series is a pratur (Bos primigenius).

The reverse of the coin depicts the form of an extinct pratur in a vast steppe area. The massive herbivore walks through a monotonous plain, which rises to the top of a mountain in the background. The coin's motif is complemented by the series name "GIANTS OF THE ICE AGE", weight and fineness. The outer rim of the coin features silhouettes of all eight animals of the series in order of issue. The motif of the prairie dog is recessed and accentuated by the polished finish, while the silhouettes of the other animals rise above the surface of the coin. The year of issue is indicated at the lower edge of the coin.

The obverse shows the national emblem of the Republic of Ghana, the inscription 'REPUBLIC OF GHANA' and the denomination at the bottom of the coin.

The coin comes in a plastic capsule with a mintage of 15,000 pieces for the whole world!

The Eurasian Pratur (Bos primigenius primigenius) was found in the taiga and steppe areas of Europe, Siberia and Central and East Asia as early as the Quaternary Pleistocene. Its numbers declined at the end of the last Ice Age about 10 000 years ago. Unlike other megafauna, it did not become completely extinct but was domesticated. According to genetic research, it is likely that modern European cattle are descended from the 80 pratures bred in Mesopotamia 10 500 years ago.
Drastic declines in the pratur population occurred due to massive hunting by humans in the following centuries. The ancient Romans, for example, used them as battle animals in the arenas. In the 13th century, their hunting was reserved for the nobility and then the royal elite. The death of the last one was recorded in 1627 in a forest reserve in Poland.
The size of the Pratur varied according to time and place of occurrence. It was characterised by its characteristically curved horns. The body was considerably more robust than that of today's cattle breeds. An adult Pratur could weigh up to 1500 kg.

This product is part of the following product sets: