Chile's regional "Chilean States" issuing framework has produced a run of entomological coins that sit well outside mainstream collector focus — which is precisely where interesting things happen. Ichneumonid wasps are the largest family of parasitoid insects on Earth, with over 25,000 described species and estimates suggesting the true count may exceed 100,000. Ophion itself is a nocturnal genus, strongly attracted to light, which makes it one of the few ichneumonid groups regularly encountered by non-specialists.
The colorization was applied post-strike, a detail worth noting given how quickly enamel surfaces on brass substrates can degrade under handling.
Chile's regional "Chilean States" issuing framework has produced a run of entomological coins that sit well outside mainstream collector focus — which is precisely where interesting things happen. Ichneumonid wasps are the largest family of parasitoid insects on Earth, with over 25,000 described species and estimates suggesting the true count may exceed 100,000. Ophion itself is a nocturnal genus, strongly attracted to light, which makes it one of the few ichneumonid groups regularly encountered by non-specialists.
The colorization was applied post-strike, a detail worth noting given how quickly enamel surfaces on brass substrates can degrade under handling.