Isle of Man – 25th Anniversary – Manx Cat & Kitten – One Crown – 2012 – Brilliant Uncirculated – In 1988, the natural choice for the first coin in this extremely popular series was the Manx cat, a tailless cat that has become a symbol for its homeland. The origins of this native Manx cat are steeped in mystery – biblical references abound, as do tales of ship-wrecked felines swimming ashore from Spanish Galleons. Shy but friendly, clever and endearing, the Manx cat has a personality all of its own, as does its coin. The Manx cat also continues to make a cameo appearance of every Isle of Man cat crown issued. In 2012, the 25th Anniversary of the first Isle of Man cat crown issue, we come full circle with a reprise of the first crown featuring the Manx cat.

Isle of Man – Siberian Cat & Kitten – One Crown – 2013 – Brilliant Uncirculated Coin – Proof-like – The Siberian is a domestic cat breed that has been present in Russia for centuries. A longer name of the breed is Siberian Forest Cat, but it is usually referred to as the Siberian or the Siberian cat. The cat is an ancient breed that is now believed to be the ancestor to all modern long-haired cats. The national cat of Russia, it has similarities with the Norwegian Forest Cat, to which it is likely closely related. While it began as a landrace, it is selectively bred and pedigreed today in at least seven major cat fancier and breeder organizations. The color point variant of the breed is called the Neva Masquerade by some registries, including Feline Federation Europe (FFE). There are claims that it is hypoallergenic and produces less Fel d1 than other cat breeds, a substance that is known to cause allergies in humans. Known to be an exceptionally agile jumper, the Siberian is a strong and powerfully built cat, with strong hindquarters and large, well rounded paws. They have barreled chests and medium sized ears, broad foreheads, and stockier builds than other cats.