The puma holds the Guinness record for the animal with the most names, more than forty in English alone: mountain lion, cougar, panther. On the 2024 fantasy 3 francs inscribed «TROMELIN» from the private «CHATS SAUVAGES» series it goes by its scientific name.

The puma appears in colour beside the legend «CHATS SAUVAGES 2024» («Wild cats»); the opposite side shows a coat of arms and «TROMELIN 3 francs». Tromelin issues no money, and catalogues treat the piece as a fantasy issue.

The puma has the widest range of any land mammal in the Americas, from the Yukon in Canada to the southern Andes of Chile. It cannot roar but it purrs, the largest cat able to do so. Tromelin’s own story is unusual too: in 2010 France and Mauritius agreed to manage the island jointly.

The puma is one of three cats of 2024, alongside the caracal and the wildcat. Uncirculated grade: no trace of circulation, just as it left the press.

Items on related themes to go with this piece can be found in the VPcoins catalogue.