Palau – Mountains & Flora – Zugspitze – $5 – 2009 – Proof Silver Crown – COA – The sight of a blue gentian, edelweiss or any other typical alpine flower makes many a mountain climber or hiker’s heart leap for joy. Thanks to the high ultraviolet-rays, alpine flowers have an intensive luminous color which is very appealing to our senses. They are survivalists who have adjusted perfectly to their extreme environment, although in many areas the snow melts earlier than in the past due to increased global warming. For this reason, alpine flowers bloom earlier than they used to. The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. It is located at the Austrian border in the town of Grainau of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria. On the Austrian side is the town of Ehrwald in the district of Reutte, Tyrol. There is a cog railway leading from the tourist resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the peak. There are also two cable cars that go to the peak from the base: one ascends from the German side of the mountain at Lake Eibsee and the other ascends from Austria near Ehrwald . The border between Germany and Austria goes right through the mountain. There used to be a border checkpoint at the summit but since Germany and Austria are now both part of the Schengen zone, the border crossing is no longer staffed. This beautiful proof silver crown comes as shown with a Certificate of Authenticity.