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Commemorative coin of the Principality of Andorra, 2 euros, issued in 2024 (with the official year 2025). Dedicated to the bearded vulture (lamb) - Gypaetus barbatus. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a detailed portrait of the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) - the largest bird of prey of the Pyrenees - in a proud, characteristic pose, with a watchful gaze and expressive plumage of the neck and face. The bird is depicted in a realistic style, with accurate anatomical details. In the background are elements that hint at the mountainous rocky landscape of its natural environment. Around the image is the inscription "EL TRENCALÒS" (The Bearded Vulture) in Catalan, the name of the country "ANDORRA" and the year of issue. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix. A map of Europe without internal borders, on the left is the denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map of the continent. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU. On the band is a groove with the inscription "2 ★ ★", repeated six times.
Historical context
The bearded vulture, or lamb's griffon (Gypaetus barbatus, Catalan for trencalòs, "bone breaker") is the largest bird of prey in Europe with a wingspan of up to 2.8 meters. It belongs to the hawk family and has a unique diet: about 80% of its food is made up of the bones of dead animals, which the bird lifts high into the air and drops on rocks to break. In the Pyrenees, the bearded vulture population declined dramatically in the 20th century due to poisoning, hunting and a decrease in the food supply. By the 1990s, only a few dozen pairs remained in the entire mountain range. Thanks to joint reintroduction programs by Andorra, Spain and France, as well as the creation of protected areas, the population is beginning to recover. The bearded vulture is a symbol of Pyrenean nature and conservation success.