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.

The Birman cat is said to be affectionate, gentle and even-tempered with a charming personality. The breed is very popular both for showing and as pets and their numbers are increasing rapidly in Britain. This beautiful cat is portrayed in superb detail on the reverse of the 1998 coin.

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.