2 kune

Published: 31/1/2015

Metal composition: alloy (copper, nickel and zinc)

Diameter: 24.5 mm
Weight: 6.2 g

Motif on the obverse: the centre of the coin features the denomination numeral and currency name "2 KUNA" against the background showing a marten, an animal of the weasel family with highly prized fur, running to the right. The inscription "REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA" is displayed in the upper semi-circle along the edge of the coin. Positioned centrally along the lower edge is the coat of arms of the Republic of Croatia, bordered on its left side by a stylised common oak branch with acorns, extending semi-circularly along the edge, and on its right side by a stylised blooming laurel branch, also extending semi-circularly along the edge.

MARTEN
The marten (kuna) is the common motif on the kuna coins. It belongs to the weasel family and lives in forests, rocky areas and open fields. This quick and agile animal has rich dark brown fur with yellow spots on the neck and chest and is a symbol of Croatian monetary history.

GROVE OAK
The common oak, known as the grove oak, is the most valuable forest species in Croatia. It covers an area of 40,000 hectares in the Spačva forest and is a unique single entity with no equal found anywhere else in Europe. Medicinal properties are attributed to it, it is an unavoidable feature of traditional construction work and is particularly prominent as the best barrel-wood. Slavonian oak wood is world-famous. In Slavic mythology, the oak is revered as a sacred tree.

LAUREL
The laurel is an evergreen tree or shrub which thrives in Croatian coastal areas and on the islands. Throughout history, the laurel was a symbol of victory, eternity and immortality. In ancient times it was a treasured and sacred tree whose twigs were seen as a sign of the greatest glory and honour; victors, famous poets and people honoured at celebrations have been crowned with laurel wreaths. The laurel forests in Liburnija surrounding the Lovran area (from which it got its name) are considered to be the most beautiful in the world.

Motif on the reverse: the centre of the coin features a tuna, a large fish of the Scombridae family, against the background showing an array of miniature ornaments symbolising sea water. The inscription "TUNJ" (Lat. THUNNUS THYNNUS) is displayed in the upper semi-circle along the edge of the coin. The minting year is positioned centrally along the lower edge.

TUNA
The tuna is a large open-sea fish and one of the few existing warm-blooded fish, which makes it strong and fast, and allows it to survive in both warm and cold seas. Known as the "great wanderer" when searching for food, it is known to swim as far as the distant Iceland. It is widespread throughout the Adriatic Sea. The flesh of this fish is highly prized and in high demand throughout the world, which makes tuna the most important fish of the Croatian economy.