Croatian Mint’s “Autochthonous Croatia”

The task was to design distinctive packaging suitable for various commemorative medals, gold and silver coins, and special product lines for the Croatian Mint, adding value to the products and making them attractive to a wider audience beyond traditional collectors.

The solution is a presentation gift box. Products of this kind are often given on special occasions and proudly presented to guests. The packaging consists of a rigid box with visible silver or gold details, depending on whether it contains a silver or gold coin. The coin is presented on a red cube inspired by the square as the fundamental element of the Croatian chequerboard.

The gold and silver coins featuring the Dalmatian dog are the first coloured coins issued by the Croatian Mint. Both were produced in extremely limited editions – 101 pieces in gold and 500 pieces in silver.

The Dalmatian dog is the first motif in the “Autochthonous Croatia” series, dedicated to indigenous Croatian animal species. In 1994, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognised the Dalmatian as a Croatian indigenous breed. In his design for the coin, artist Nikola Vudrag combined the breed’s distinctive features with elements of the map of the Republic of Croatia.

The Dalmatian’s characteristic spots are shaped like Croatian islands.

The gold coin featuring the Croatian Black Lizard is the second coloured coin issued by the Croatian Mint, distinguished by its blue-turquoise details. The Croatian Black Lizard has characteristic turquoise-blue scales along the sides and beneath the neck, contrasting with its dark grey body.

The Dalmatian’s spots and the Croatian Black Lizard’s turquoise-blue scales form the primary visual motifs of the packaging. They are combined with the logo of the “Autochthonous Croatia” series, in which the letterforms are arranged to evoke the Croatian chequerboard.