The Exotic Shorthair, the Pobjoy Mint's choice for 2006 in its Isle of Man cat series, is close to a Persian in a short coat. This piece is struck in gold at 1/20 ounce with a proof finish.

In the 1950s Persian breeders on the American West Coast crossed their cats with American Shorthairs and then bred the offspring back to Persians again and again. The result kept the Persian's round head, round eyes and cobby body under a dense, plush coat that stands off the body and is far easier to look after. In temperament the two breeds are almost identical.

The CFA decided to establish the Exotic as a breed in 1966, after CFA judge Jane Martinke was persuaded to back its recognition. On the coin it joins a run that has featured a different breed every year since the series began in 1988.