3 Euros (Firefly squid)

The 3 Euro Firefly Squid coin is part of the ongoing 'Glowing Marine Life' series issued by the Austrian Mint, which began in 2024. These coins are minted using high-quality copper alloys and are celebrated for their integration of color-printing technology that reacts to ultraviolet light, allowing the creature’s bioluminescence to glow in the dark. This series is designed to showcase the intricate and often unseen wonders of the deep ocean, reflecting Austria's long-standing tradition of producing innovative, artistic commemorative numismatic pieces that appeal to both general collectors and nature enthusiasts.

The design of the 2025 Firefly Squid coin features a detailed relief of the Watasenia scintillans, commonly found in the waters off Japan. The Austrian Mint's design team focused on capturing the delicate morphology of the squid, including its unique light-producing organs known as photophores. Since the launch of the glow-in-the-dark series, these coins have been well received within the numismatic community for their technical execution and thematic creativity, establishing them as a prominent example of modern aesthetic coin production.