20 Euro Austria 2022 - THE SERENITY OF THE ELEPHANT

Africans have worshipped elephants since ancient times. In Cameroon, revered kings are likened to elephants; among the Ashanti of Ghana, good governance is firmly associated with both the idea of a strong male elephant and the poise of a matriarch. Many of the religious and political traditions and rituals that derive from the human image of elephants date back to a time when the pachyderm's rights had not yet been restricted by humans. To ensure that elephants' natural habitat doesn't disappear any further than it already has, a new, coherent approach to environmental protection is essential. This requires patience and perseverance, attributes that make the elephant such a revered animal.

The obverse of the coin is dominated by a powerful African bull elephant in its natural habitat, an image surrounded by a decorative motif reminiscent of those seen on African fabrics. The reverse of the piece features a close-up of the elephant's head, accentuating its sparkling sapphire-blue eyes.