4 Euros Halubje Bell Ringers

The Halubje bell ringers — known locally as *zvončari* — are a carnival tradition from the Halubje area of the Kastav municipality, near Rijeka, centered on groups of men wearing sheepskin costumes and large cowbells to drive away winter and evil spirits. UNESCO added the broader zvončari practice to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009. Croatia has made a habit of issuing collector coinage tied to its UNESCO-recognized traditions, and this piece continues that pattern.

The denomination of 4 euros is unconventional by any standard — a deliberate choice that allows Croatia to issue euro-denominated collector pieces without conflicting with ECB regulations governing standard circulation coinage.