Isle Of Man 1993 Maine Coon Cat coin CO 1143

Legal tender coin of the Isle of Man
•  Uncirculated Cupro Nickel,
• 1 crown 38 mm diameter

Each year since 1988, collectors around the world eagerly anticipate the release of the new Cat coin from the Isle of Man. It is among the world’s most popular coins, in part because each year’s coin features a new, one-time-only design highlighting a different breed of cat.

Some 150 years ago, American sailors returning to the State of Maine brought home Angoras with them, and selective breeding over the years was to evolve a cat that had a coat reminiscent of the native raccoon - 'coon' in local parlance. The Maine Coon takes its place among its honoured predecessors in the series – the 1988 Manx, 1989 Persian, 1990 New York Alley Cat, 1991 Norwegian Forest Cat and the 1992 Siamese Cat.

Pobjoy Mint was established in the middle ages in Great Britain and today makes superior coins for special commemoratives and for governments.

Pobjoy has reputation as top coin designer and coin dieing techniques and for top quality packaging.

The Pobjoy family has been associated with fine metalwork since the Middle Ages. The Company was recently granted permission to use the family Coat of Arms in which the Medieval Popinjay is the central motif. The Popinjay was a painted wooden parrot used in archery contests in the 14th century and the name Pobjoy is derived from this. The Latin motto 'OCULO CERTO' means 'with an unerring eye' and applies equally to the ancestor's prowess as a marksman, as to the Company's reputation for the high quality and precision of its products. Over the past three centuries, the Company has been involved in many diverse fields, but they have always been involved in metal, both base and precious. During World War II Pobjoy Aero Engineering was involved in the manufacturing of the famous Spitfire wings. The Company is now the largest private Mint in Europe.