Another coin from the "Big Five Asia" series, dedicated to some of the world's most fascinating species. This time it's the "Edition Noire", in which the coins are partially covered with color printing and a black ceramic coating.  This coin was struck from as much as 5 ounces of pure silver. The image of the cobra has been accentuated with extremely high relief, which makes an impressive impression. The mintage was limited to 500 pieces only. The Asian tiger is a species of the largest of the modern five species of wild cats of the genus Panthera, one of the largest land predators (in size second only to some bears). Adult males reach over 300 kg of body mass with over 3 m of total length. Jumps well, swims very well, usually hunts alone. Formerly numerous throughout Asia and always a source of terror, it has become an object of hunting for sport and money. Exterminated in many regions and threatened with extinction, it has been included in conservation programmes. The largest wild population lives in India (where in some regions tigers are considered sacred animals).