Obverse. Photo © Delcampe
  • 5 Euro 2021, KM# 401, Germany, Federal Republic, Climate Zones of the Earth, Polar Zone
  • 5 Euro 2021, KM# 401, Germany, Federal Republic, Climate Zones of the Earth, Polar Zone
Description

The "Polar Zone" is the fifth and the last issue of the 5-part series "Climate Zones of the World" with a color polymer ring, the series is due to end with the "Polar Zone". The color of the translucent polymer ring takes inspiration from the typical climate of each zone (red for a hot zone, violet for cold). Each of the five mints Germany shapes the coin with a polymer ring in a different shade of violet.

In 2016, the Federal Ministry of Finance of Germany issued the five-euro Planet Earth collector coin with a blue polymer ring connecting two metallic portions. It was a startling first in coin production, the innovative process having been developed by German press manufacturer Schuler AG. The transparent ring is made of a material that can be worked like metal but is actually plastic. It contains both a color pigment and security features. The joint between the polymer plastic and metal is just as strong as between the two different metals in conventional bi-metallic coins, such as the one- and two-euro coins.

Obverse

Depicts a stylized heraldic eagle - Germany’s national symbol, date below and mintmark upper. The outer metallic ring features the 12 stars of the European Union, country name and denomination.

Engraver: Stefanie Radtke

5 EURO
F
2021
BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND

Reverse

Depicts an impressive representation of the rugged and wide landscape of the polar climate zone. It shows the massive icebergs above and below the surface of the ocean in a submarine view. The leopard seal skillfully dives into its natural habitat, the ocean.

The polar regions, also called the frigid zones, of Earth are the regions of the planet that surround its geographical poles (the North and South Poles), lying within the polar circles. These high latitudes are dominated by floating sea ice covering much of the Arctic ocean in the north, and by the Antarctic ice sheet on the continent of Antarctica in the South.

Engraver: Natalie Tekampe

NT
POLARE ZONE

Edge

CLIMATE ZONES OF THE EARTH •

KLIMAZONEN DER ERDE •

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Tri-Metallic
Outer ring Cupronickel
Inner ring Polymer
Center Cupronickel
Weight 9 g
Diameter 27.25 mm
Thickness 2.3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mints
Bavarian Central Mint (D)
Berlin State Mint (A)
Hamburg Mint (J)
Karlsruhe State Mint (G)
Stuttgart State Mint (F)

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