2025 Ghana Growing Up Brown Bear 5 oz Silver Black Proof Coin

The ‘Brown Bear 5oz’ coin joins the 2oz version in the ‘Growing Up’ series. Leveraging the revolutionary Smartminting technology, this coin brings the majestic brown bear to life like never before. The obverse features a PROOF finish, depicting the bear cubs in a scenic landscape, while the reverse boasts a Black PROOF finish, showcasing an impressive portrait of the adult bear. Struck on a 5 oz pure silver 65mm blank, it represents the highest quality in coin minting. With a limited mintage of only 149 pieces worldwide, this exclusive coin comes in a beautifully designed box accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

The reverse of the coin features a striking depiction of a brown bear, showcasing its impressive form as it strides toward the observer. The design artfully conveys the bear’s reflections on the changes in its appearance since its youth, symbolized by a stylized cub standing upright, observing its parents as they fish.

The obverse side of the coin illustrates the brown bear in its younger years, with cubs drinking from a stream. The brother cub on the right is captivated by his reflection in the water, contemplating his future adult self. In contrast, the sister cub on the left is playfully creating ripples, disrupting the mirror image. The background features a scenic landscape with a mother bear and two additional cubs, set against a backdrop of a flowing stream and majestic mountains. It also depicts the coat of arms, with the same reflection in the water, and the inscriptions: “REPUBLIC OF GHANA” (the issuing country), “2024” (the year of issue), “ELIZABETH II” with her portrait, and “50 CEDIS” (the face value).

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America, making it one of the most widespread bear species in the world. As one of the largest living members of the carnivora order, the brown bear boasts impressive physical attributes and adaptations. Scientists believe that brown bears evolved from an extinct prehistoric bear species in Asia over half a million years ago. From there, they migrated to Europe around 250,000 years ago, reached Alaska about 100,000 years ago, and finally moved further south into the New World just over 12,500 years ago. The size of brown bears varies significantly, with differences of up to 30% depending on the subspecies and their geographic location.

Despite their formidable size and strength, brown bears generally try to avoid human-populated areas. While they are not typically aggressive toward humans, it is crucial to avoid agitating them, as they can become dangerous when threatened. Brown bears have powerful claws and large teeth, which can cause fatal injuries if they do attack. Their diet is omnivorous, including a mix of plants, fish, and small to medium-sized mammals. Brown bears are also known for their remarkable intelligence and memory, which aid in their survival across diverse habitats ranging from forests and mountains to tundras and coastal regions. Understanding their behavior and respecting their space is vital for ensuring peaceful coexistence between humans and these magnificent creatures.