The endangered nature cycle of the Czech Mint is being closed and represents its penultimate plant on the list of endangered species. The colored silver coin was dedicated to the alpine aster.

The alpine aster is a perennial herb that gave the name to the sunflower family and traditionally symbolizes the mountain nature. As the generic name suggests, it is known mainly in the Alps, but it caan be also found, for example, in the Pyrenees or in Slovakia, where it houses limestone and dolomite substrates. It is very rare in our nature. The last tufts survived the ice age in the Jeseníky Great Basin and in the Central Bohemian Highlands. Therefore the species is classified as critically endangered. Especially the specific ecological demands of the alpine aster are to blame. For growth, it requires a subsoil composed of igneous rocks, such as basalt, phonolite, trachyte, gneiss, or phyllite. Another factor that threatens the species is the activity of the human. The alpine aster is a popular ornamental plant and the irresponsible people grub it up and repot it to the rock gardens.

Alpine aster blooms in early summer and draws our attention with striking contrast in color. The marginal flowers are purple-blue and the center of the inflorescence forms a target of golden-yellow flowers, which is clearly visible on the reverse side of the coin thanks to the coloring technology. The composition of the reverse side is complemented by a glass closet and inscription of the Czech and Latin name of the plant: ALPINE ASTER - ASTER ALPINUS L. The obverse side is decorated with floral motifs and carries the necessary attributes of the foreign license provider for issuing Czech Mint coins. This is the island of Niue, whose essentials consist of the name and portrait of the Emperor Elizabeth II, the year of the issue 2018, and the nominal value of the 1 DOLLAR (NZD).

The coins from the Endangered Nature cycle are stored in spectacular illustrated packaging and can be stored in a practical collector´s box, which is also available in the offer of the Czech Mint.