Isle Of Man 2003 balinese Cat coin CO 1126

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.

In 2003 the ever-popular Cat series from the Isle of Man celebrated its fifteenth year with the release of the Balinese Kittens.

The Balinese is a breed of oriental cat with long hair and Siamese-style markings. They resemble a Siamese with a medium-length silky coat and a plumed tail, but not nearly as fluffy as a Himalayan, and they require much less grooming. Balinese are extremely intelligent cats and their name is inspired by the cats graceful movement which is reminiscent of an Indonesian dancer.

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.