COTY 2026: Most Inspirational
Ten coins from around the world celebrate the people, ideals, and events that reflect humanity’s enduring aspirations for peace, freedom, and human rights.
For this category, coins that commemorate ideas, events, institutions, or individuals that best exemplify humanity’s eternal aspirations for peace, freedom, and human rights are considered. What is inspirational to some may not be inspirational to others, so the themes of the coins in this category are very important.
Australia
“Dawn” by Dorothea Mackellar – Treasured Australian Poetry, KM 4857
50 Cent, Copper, Aluminum, Nickel
An idyllic Australian landscape, inspired by the road to Gunnedah described in Mackellar’s poem “Dawn,” is the design on the reverse of this coin. Mackellar’s lyrical poems capture the unique qualities of the Australian bush.
Canada
80th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War in Europe, KM 3566
100 Dollar, Gold
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, this coin shows a Canadian soldier kneeling before a mother and child, honoring Canada’s Liberation of the Netherlands in 1945. Canadian soldiers enter a Dutch town to a hero’s welcome, the child offering a tulip to the soldier.
France
Auschwitz, KM 3525
10 Euro, Silver
January 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps in Poland. On the obverse, a prisoner joins hands above the barbed wire to form a dove, symbolizing freedom and peace.
Greece
International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, KM 406
6 Euro, Silver
Conservation efforts have made their way onto coins over the years, calling for awareness to endangered animals and protected lands. This Greek commemorative focuses on the preservation of glaciers and the wildlife that relies on them.
Hungary
Education for the Blind in Hungary, KM 1133
20,000 Forint, Silver
Accessibility and the pursuit of knowledge are as inspirational as anything. This Hungarian coin commemorating education for the blind incorporates Braille throughout the design.
Italy
Against Violence, Together With Women, KM 566
5 Euro, Silver
The text of the poem “Free Butterflies” is seen on the obverse, while two pairs of red shoes, a symbol of the fight against violence towards women, are seen on the reverse. The bright shoes are a clear indication of the message of this coin.
Latvia
Latvian Book – 500, KM 243
5 Euro, Silver
A stylized image of a face with hands holding a book is seen on the obverse of this coin, while the reverse tells the story of the first book printed in Latvian. The first Latvian book was printed in 1525.
Niue
The Forest Guardian, KM 7756
5 Dollar, Silver
A Forest Guardian with a human-like face emerges from dense foliage, the leaves forming a natural crown around the head. This is a personified depiction of nature; a living, conscious presence instead of a landscape. The coin explores the unity of humanity with the natural world.
Portugal
Sustainable Development, KM 973
2 Euro, Bi-Metallic
This common-metal coin commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ukraine
Let’s Hold the Line!, KM 1131
5 Hryvnias, Nickel Silver
Ukrainian defenders join hands in a circle of unity, emphasizing cohesion before battle and the readiness to defend the homeland. On the reverse, soldiers march forward with confidence.
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