1.5 Euro Spain 2022 Endangered Species – Blue Iguana

The blue iguana, also known as the blue iguana of the Cayman Islands, is a species endemic to Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. Before the colonization of America, there were many specimens of this species, but now they are endangered mainly due to the reduction of the natural range. It should be noted that this species has been living on earth for more than 3 million years. It is a long-lived iguana species with a lifespan of around 50 years. Classified as an endangered species by the IUCN, this reptile is highly vulnerable to environmental changes due to the limited space it occupies on Grand Cayman. Habitat loss, capture of eggs or live specimens for sale, trampling and importation of invasive species and pets such as brown rats, the common green iguana, dogs or cats have led to the blue iguana being critically endangered as a species in the wild.

The coins of Spain were issued in a special design with enameling on the obverse, which ensures greater realism of the image.

The obverse of the Spanish 1.5 Euro coin depicts the Blue Iguana.

The reverse (common to all coins) depicts a floral ornament and animal tracks, the denomination and the inscription ANIMALES EN PELIGRO DE EXTINCIÓN (Endangered Animals).

Alloy: copper-nickel

Denomination: 1.5 euro

Weight: 15 grams

Diameter: 33mm

Quality: UNC

Circulation: 5000 pcs

The coin was released in Spain’s 2022 collection “Endangered Species”

The collection includes 16 coins:

African elephant

Giant otter

Iberian lynx

Giant lizard of La Gomera

Monk seal

Philippine eagle

Ring-tailed lemur

Bengal tiger

Blue iguana

Cantabrian brown bear

European mink

Gorilla

Irrawaddy Dolphin

Javan rhinoceros

Okapi

Orangutan