Cameroon – 2024 – 2000 Francs – Utopiec (Slavic Bestiary Series)

Description

The Utopiec coin, the fourth release in the Slavic Bestiary series, brings to life the haunting water spirit of ancient Slavic folklore in breathtaking ultrahigh relief. On the reverse, the gaunt, elongated form of the Utopiec emerges from behind a wooden sluice gate, its disheveled hair and pointed fingers frozen in a sinister pose. A spiderweb drapes across the left side like a deadly trap, while murky water and tangled vegetation evoke the creature’s eerie aquatic domain. Subtle UV printing enlivens a water lily atop its head and a small bluish dragonfly hovering above, their vivid hues contrasting strikingly with the raw silver to draw the eye into the depths of the scene.

The obverse centers the Republic of Cameroon’s Coat of Arms and “2000 FRANCS CFA,” crowned by a shield bearing the coin’s year of issue. Around this, elaborately sculpted plant and animal motifs celebrate the world of water spirits: lush vines and blossoms intertwine with the coiled tail of a reptilian creature, as if half-submerged in dense foliage. Every element—from the creature’s haunted gaze to the intricate border of flora and fauna—is rendered with extraordinary precision, providing collectors with a chilling yet harmonious tribute to the untamed forces of nature and the rich tapestry of Slavic myth.