2026 COTY 100: Best Silver
From honeybees and mountain peaks to artificial intelligence, this year’s Best Silver nominees showcase creativity from mints around the world.
Continuing on with our COTY 100 highlights, we’ll be looking at the Best Silver category this week. For this category, judges are asked to look at coins manufactured in silver that have “an all-around appeal, both from an aesthetic and a commercial standpoint.” Judges are also asked to give consideration to the coins’ unique themes.
Austria
Einstein Ring – The Uncharted Universe, KM 3392
20 Euro, Silver
Austria’s Uncharted Universe series has been popular with the judges panel over the last few years. The 2025 edition shows an Einstein ring, a phenomenon of light in space.
Belgium
600 Years of KU Leuven and UCLouvain Universities, KM 458
20 Euro, Silver
Two of the oldest universities in Europe have been honored on this silver coin.
Cameroon
Durga, KM 940a
2000 Francs CFA, Silver
Durga is the divine mother in the Hindu religion. She stands with a tiger on the reverse.
Canada
Honey Bee, KM 3602
20 Dollar, Silver
This coin, with its selective gold plating, is pleasing to the eye. The hexagonal shape is reminiscent of a honeycomb, as the bee in the center of the reverse rests on the center of a flower.
Finland
Erik Allardt, KM 323
20 Euro, Silver
Erik Allardt was an important social scientist in Finland. The seemingly abstract design of the coin represents the world of sociology and social science research.
France
Roland Garros, KM 3552
10 Euro, Silver
This coin celebrates 100 years of the French tennis championships. The layering of the design from the court and the racket brings a nice depth.
Israel
77th Anniversary of Independence – Artificial Intelligence series: Independence Day, KM 610
2 Shekel, Silver
The use of technology and especially AI has been a hot topic across the globe, for better or worse. This coin honors the advancement of technology and the positive uses of AI.
Poland
45th Anniversary of the “Solidarity” Trade Union, KM 1203
10 Złoty, Silver
Commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Solidarity movement, this coin’s strong graphic symbols and expressive gestures accompany the iconic red logo, capturing the spirit of unity, resistance, and civic courage.
Spain
XCVII Training Cruise – Juan Sebastián de Elcano, KM 1602
40 Euro, Silver
Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias, Leonor de Borbón Ortiz, has served aboard the Juan Sebastián de Elcano as part of her military and institutional training. The journey is designed to help prepare her for her future as the Queen of Spain.
Switzerland
Matterhorn, KM 213
5 Franken, Silver
This true-to-scale three-dimensional representation of the Matterhorn has been scaled down onto a coin. Honoring the historic first-ever climb attempt of the Matterhorn, this coin captures the massive mountain in stunning detail.
See more COTY Best of below:
