The latest silver coin from the Czech Mint’s twelve-part Cat Breeds series features the Abyssinian cat.

The breed was named after the region that is now Ethiopia. It was from there that the first specimens made their way to England in the 19th century. However, the original home of this exotic feline was the jungles of Southeast Asia. Abyssinians have a medium-sized build and strikingly long limbs. They are among the lightest breeds, and their agile bodies allow them to jump and climb with ease. Their slender neck is dominated by inquisitive eyes framed by lines, a strong chin, and large ears set far apart. Their short, fine coat, which lies close to the body, features a distinctive pattern, with each hair bearing up to three stripes. These extroverted cats are known for their intelligence and adventurousness, so they need plenty of stimulation.

On the reverse side of the coin, designed by medalist David Paulík, the Abyssinian appears twice. The first depiction is colored, highlighting the coat’s hue. The second is embossed and depicts the cat among African acacia trees. The composition is completed by the Czech-English inscription HABEŠSKÁ KOČKA – ABYSSINIAN CAT. On the obverse side, which is common to the entire series, you will find a silhouette of a cat and paw prints. Since the Czech Mint’s coins are issued under a foreign license from the island of Niue, the obverse side also bears its national coat of arms, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD), and the year of issue 2026.

You can store all twelve coins from the cat series in an elegant collector’s album, which is also available from the Czech Mint.

Breeder of the cat depicted on the coin and source of the photograph used: Magrathea cattery, Jana Lahovská