Modern circulation sets whose thematic designs show only animals

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There are many circulation sets whose designs show flora and fauna, or flora and / or fauna and other themes, e.g. boats or ships, architecture or landmarks, or cultural implements. But how many show only animals? By that I mean non-heraldic and non-mythical animals. Let's find out.

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Greenland, 1926.

The same polar bear design is shared across the set.

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Ireland, 1928.

In modern terms, this is the father and mother of all animal-only wildlife sets.

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Italian Somaliland, 1950.

1, 5 and 10 centesimi: Elephant.

50 centesimi and 1 somalo: Lioness.

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Norway, 1958 to 1973.

Was this set inspired by the Irish barnyard set, I wonder?

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Mali, 1961.

A one-year only set, and with only three denominations.

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Australia, 1966.

A classic series. The 1 cent and 2 cents coins are now defunct.

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Qatar and Dubai, 1966.

Another single subject set.

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Canada, 1967.    Centennial set.

This was a one-year only set of circulating commemoratives.

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Coinage of the Falkland Islands.

The Falkland Islands issued its first circulation coinage in 1974.

It did not add a 50 pence coin until 1980.

The design depicted the extinct Falkland fox.


The animal was not a true fox, however.

It was related to the South American maned wolf.

Nor is the maned wolf a true wolf, apparently.

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Papua Guinea, 1975.

The 1 toea coin is now defunct.

A heptagonal 50 toea coin featuring a butterfly was added in 2021.

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Botswana, 1976.

The 1 thebe coin is now defunct.

2 pula and 5 pula coins have been added to the set.

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Tuvalu, 1976.

A beautiful marine life set.

The coins were last minted in 1994.

Tuvalu now uses Australian coins and banknotes.

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Iceland, 1981.

Another marine life set.

Iceland later added 50 and 100 krónur coins.

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Algeria, 1992.

A stunningly beautiful and stylistically original set of designs.

Thematic and wildlife sets were not common in Arab countries back then.