On the coin design, created by Claudius Riedmiller from Stuttgart, the rust-red mason bee sits on an implied wall surface. The motif is raised in relief, with the inscription on the coin's background. Although the animal is shown in a classic top view and the coin's round is clearly organised axially, the motif appears very lively. The design of the insect captivates with its fine plasticity, skilfully enhanced by the colouring. The value side is identical on all coins in the series. The design, created by the artist Andre Witting from Berlin, impresses with its dignified yet dynamic depiction of the federal eagle.
The other coins in the ‘Wunderwelt Insekten’ series:
Insect kingdom (2022) Seven-spot ladybird (2023) Swallowtail (2023) Banded damselfly (2023)
In 2024, the coins ‘Green Hummingbird’, ‘Grove Hoverfly’, ‘Stag Beetle’ and ‘Stone Bumblebee’ will be issued.
The rusty red mason bee, which resembles a small bumblebee, is regarded as a messenger of spring: as soon as the furry wild bee can be seen, the period of permanent frost is over. It is one of the 700 species of wild bees that live in Central Europe and play an important role within functioning ecosystems, especially as pollinators of wild and cultivated plants.
Due to its nesting behaviour, the rusty mason bee is often found near human dwellings: In early spring, it uses cavities in dry stone walls and in loess and clay walls for its breeding nests, as well as in dead wood and loose rock. Nests have even been found in shutter stoppers, door locks and in a wooden flute. The red mason bee also likes artificial nesting aids made of bamboo, reeds or wood.
Only one generation develops per year. The pollen-filled nest cavities are created in spring, in which the larvae develop into adults by August. In this state, they remain in the closed nest until the following spring and then gnaw their way out with their powerful jaws. The male offspring hatch first. As soon as the females hatch, the males wait to mate and the cycle begins again.
