20 Euro Silver Coin Austria 2021 – The Eyes of the World “Europe – The Wisdom of the Owl”

As part of the “Eyes of the World” series, five coins will be released, each of which will be dedicated to one of the continents of the Earth and the animal that inhabits and personifies it:

1. Australia and the snake
2. Europe and the owl
3. Africa and the elephant
4. Asia and the tiger
5. America and the Bear

The eyes of the five animals featured in this series shine on the reverse of five different coins, each with a different shade of Swarovski crystal.

Despite the night hunter’s ability to rotate his enormous head 270 degrees, the all-knowing serenity he exudes as he sits motionless on a branch is strangely reminiscent of our older species. Perhaps that is why we humans have always recognized ourselves in an owl. The light of wisdom seems to shine in the eyes of the bird to such an extent that it was previously believed that the owl itself emits light, its eyes, like round windows, magically illuminate the darkness. Equating light with wisdom comes from the Western worldview, which from time immemorial has offered the light of reason in the fight against the forces of darkness.

The reverse of the coin features a stylized owl face with eyes made of multifaceted golden-yellow shining Swarovski® crystals, while the obverse of the coin features an owl sitting on a branch, with which it patiently and persistently looks down in search of its prey. The bird is surrounded by decorations reminiscent of ancient Greek ornaments.

Denomination: 10 euro

Metal: 925 silver

Weight: 20.74 / 22.42g

Diameter: 34mm

Quality: Proof

Insert: Yellow Swarovski crystal

Circulation: 30.000