Like many other butterflies, it is an important pollinator of wild plants - and, like other butterflies, its existence is threatened and it is specially protected. "The coin motif, designed by Bastian Prillwitz from Berlin, shows the adult swallowtail in flight. The movement into the coin creates a strong dynamic, which is visually emphasised by the depiction of the caterpillar and its food plant, an umbellifer. The relief is skilfully crafted and is enhanced by the reflection of the colourful butterfly scales, which are designed to look natural. The value side is identical on all coins in the series. The design, created by 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) Rufous mason bee (2023) Banded damselfly (2023)
In 2024, the coins ‘Green Hummingbird’, ‘Grove Hoverfly’, ‘Stag Beetle’ and ‘Stone Bumblebee’ will be issued.
The swallowtail has a distinctive shape, is yellow-black patterned and has a blue band with red eye spots. The young caterpillar protects itself by taking on the shape and colouring of bird droppings. In later stages of development, the swallowtail is strikingly coloured and defends itself against predators with chemical defence secretions. The adult animals exhibit a special behaviour: the so-called summit courtship or hilltopping. In search of mating partners, they sail up and down elevations such as hills, hilltops and castle ruins for hours on end.
