Palau – Mountains & Flora – Matterhorn – $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 Matterhorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps. With its 14,692 foot high summit, lying on the border between Switzerland and Italy, it is one of the highest peaks in the Alps and its 3,937 foot high north face is one of the Great north faces of the Alps. It is one of the deadliest peaks in the Alps: from 1865 when it was first climbed, to the present date more than 500 alpinists have died on it. The mountain overlooks the town of Zermatt in the canton of Valais to north-east and Cervinia in the Aosta Valley to the south. The Matterhorn is an iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps and the Alps in general. This beautiful proof silver crown comes as shown with a Certificate of Authenticity.