"Slavic Beasts" Silver Coin - Licho 2026, 3 ounces

A strictly limited-edition coin from the Slavic Bestiary collection, limited to just 400 pieces.

The Licho is one of the most mysterious figures in Slavic folklore, associated with misfortune, bad luck, and an ill-fated destiny. In folk tales, it was most often depicted as a gaunt, one-eyed creature with a ghastly appearance, capable of bringing illness, poverty, and a constant string of misfortunes upon people. It was believed that Licho clings to a person like a shadow and accompanies them until they manage to outwit or drive it away. In some legends, the demon inhabited abandoned homes, dense forests, or secluded places, where it lay in wait for unwary travelers. An encounter with the Lich was said to foreshadow difficult times and prolonged misfortune, which is why people tried to avoid places considered to be its lairs. Despite its sinister nature, the Lich has become an important element of Slavic folklore and remains to this day a symbol of bad luck and a warning against recklessness. His figure continues to inspire writers, game developers, and artists, who eagerly draw upon motifs from ancient Slavic beliefs.

The reverse depicts Licho as a haggard, one-eyed old woman—one of the most terrifying figures in Slavic demonology. Her mesmerizing red eye, crafted from resin, immediately draws the eye and underscores the sinister nature of this legendary demon. A raven—long considered a harbinger of misfortune—rests on Licho’s shoulder, while a rotting apple lies in her hand—a symbol of inevitable downfall and bad luck. The background features an abandoned wooden hut, withered trees, and an emaciated goat, creating a gloomy scene that evokes the poverty, despair, and misfortune attributed to this creature’s presence. The composition is complemented by the selectively gold-plated inscription “LICHO SLAVIC BESTIARY,” which harmonizes perfectly with the design’s dark atmosphere. On the obverse, in the center of the coin, is the coat of arms of the Republic of Cameroon and the denomination “2000 FRANCS CFA,” surrounded by richly decorated motifs inspired by Slavic beliefs. A writhing snake, a bat, spiderwebs, and dense forest vegetation form a cohesive, mysterious composition, and the precision with which every detail is rendered underscores the collectible nature and high quality of this exceptional issue.