Swans on coins

[<k>]

Finland, 10 markkaa, 1967.  Swans.

[<k>]

Finland, 100 euro, gold, 2011.  Swan.

[<k>]

Australia, 100 cents, 1968 (fantasy piece).  Black swan.

 

[<k>]

Poland, 1984, 500 Zloty, silver. Collector coin.  Swan.

[<k>]

Poland, 1984, trial.  Swan.

[milkshakespeare]

Finland, 10 markkaa, 1967.  Swans.

If I remember correctly, those are not swans but, quite surprisingly, ospreys.

[<k>]

I just looked at my German catalogue (usually the most reliable for descriptions), and it says they're wild geese!  Any more opinions?

Krause says they are whooper swans.

[Figleaf]

Based on neck, position of legs and back of wings, I'd say osprey is correct.

Peter

[<k>]

The neck seems way too long for an osprey, though. More to the point, the artist has produced a rather stylised design, so perhaps ultimately it doesn't really matter. And not all artists understand their wildlife subjects well enough anyway.

[Figleaf]

Not that it matters much, but a goose neck is much longer. Compare the Canada goose in the geese thread. Also compare the colouring of the osprey feathers with the way they are reflected on the coin

Peter

[Globetrotter]

Hi,

and here is an ugly duckling..... from Denmark! Of course the story will tell you otherwise, consult Hans Christian Andersen

Ole

[Globetrotter]

Hi Peter,

when have you ever seen Ospreys flying in a goose formation? Me never, no hunting birds ever do that

Ole

[Globetrotter]

The Swan lake ballet

http://www.cbr.ru/Eng/bank-notes_coins/Default.aspx?Prtid=coins_base

Ole

[<k>]

Ireland, 10 euro, 2004.  EU enlargement.