Index · Edition · cs-3-1-rhino-at
Rhino — Crypto Stamp 3.1
Rhino
Crypto Stamp 3.1 Rhino is one of two African animal motifs in the CS 3.1 edition by Österreichische Post. Released on 21 October 2021 in a print run of 70,000 with face value 9.90 EUR. ERC-721 token on Ethereum with NFC chip authentication and xDai sidechain bridge.
Variants
| Variant | Variant | Color | Mintage | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #C8281F | 700 | 1 | |
| Yellow | #F5C518 | 4,667 | 2 | |
| Blue | #1F4FA8 | 9,333 | 3 | |
| Green | #3F8B3F | 18,667 | 4 | |
| Black | #1F1E1C | 36,633 | 5 |
About the Motif
The rhinoceros depicted on this stamp is one of five rhino species worldwide. Three species (Black Rhino, White Rhino, Sumatran Rhino) are critically endangered. The animal can weigh up to two tonnes, lives in savannahs and forests, and bears a horn made of keratin — the same material as human hair or fingernails.
On Crypto Stamp 3.1 Rhino, the animal appears in stylized profile view, intersected by a geometric diamond representing the Ethereum symbol. The plastic card format measures approximately 86 × 54 mm at the stamp block. The multi-layered security construction distinguishes it from paper postage stamps.
Symbolism in the Edition
Within CS 3.1 and its two African motifs, the rhino represents durability and strength. Unlike CS 2.0, whose motifs (Doge, Panda, Lama, Honey Badger) each pointed to crypto slang or internet memes, the CS 3.1 motifs are general-collector-friendly animals without direct crypto subtext. The diamond on the stamp itself — as the Ethereum symbol — carries the crypto reference.
This shift marks a maturation phase for the series: where CS 1.0 and 2.0 primarily addressed the crypto community with collecting conventions secondary, CS 3.1 opens itself to a broader collector audience that recognizes the stamp's appeal without prior memetic literacy.
Pre-Order and Availability
Pre-orders for CS 3.1 Rhino opened 21 September 2021. Unlike the rapidly sold-out CS 2.0 motifs Doge and Panda, the rhino remained available in the online shop for an extended period — a consequence both of the larger mintage of 70,000 (versus 60,000 in CS 2.0) and the cooling crypto-hype wave by late 2021. Physical release was 21 October 2021.
Variant Distribution
The per-color mintage figures for CS 3.1 are publicly verified (via Geldmarie and ANK):
- Schwarz: 36,633 pieces (52.33%), ANK Crypto stamp 8a
- Grün: 18,667 pieces (26.67%), ANK Crypto stamp 8b
- Blau: 9,333 pieces (13.33%), ANK Crypto stamp 8c
- Gelb: 4,667 pieces (6.67%), ANK Crypto stamp 8d
- Rot: 700 pieces (1.00%), ANK Crypto stamp 8e
In international catalog systems, the Rhino is listed under Michel number AT 3616 and Yvert number AT 3483 — an acknowledgment of the Crypto Stamp concept by major classical philatelic catalogs.
Secondary Market
On secondary markets like Delcampe, eBay, and through specialized stamp dealers (Borek, Tyrol-Phila, Nordfrim, Briefmarkenwelt-Geier), the rhino in its more common color variants is regularly available between EUR 25 and EUR 80. Rot variants (700 pieces) achieve collector prices in the three- to four-figure EUR range; collector auctions for well-preserved pieces can fetch higher sums.
On the NFT side, tokens circulate primarily on the xDai sidechain (today Gnosis Chain) due to low transaction fees, and occasionally on Ethereum for speculative purposes.
Place in the Set
Within the CS 3.1 edition, the rhino has higher visual recognition and broader resonance outside the crypto community than the cat motif. Collectors who want only one of the two CS 3.1 motifs statistically choose the rhino more often — reflected in slightly higher secondary-market prices for comparable color variants versus the cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the diamond on the stamp?
The diamond is the official visual symbol for the Ethereum blockchain. On CS 3.1 — both Rhino and Cat — it appears as a unifying design element, making the crypto reference directly visible for the first time rather than communicating it solely through animal allegory.
How does CS 3.1 differ from CS 3.0?
CS 3.1 has two motifs (Rhino, Cat) instead of one (Whale). Per-motif mintage is 70,000 versus the single CS 3.0 variant at 100,000. A security upgrade was implemented — the NFC chip is now surrounded by multiple barrier layers that make the card 100% opaque to light. Blockchain architecture (Ethereum + xDai) remains identical.
What is the Rhino's ANK catalog number?
In the Austria Netto Katalog, CS 3.1 Rhino is listed as "Crypto stamp 8" with sub-letters a (Black), b (Green), c (Blue), d (Yellow) and e (Red). In Michel: AT 3616. In Yvert: AT 3483.
Why a rhinoceros?
The rhinoceros fits the African animal theme of CS 3.1, which together with the cat forms the second edition of the series from African-origin animals. The rhino does not carry a direct crypto-symbolic meaning like "Whale" or "Doge" in crypto folklore — the motif represents durability and strength as a general collector theme.
When did pre-orders open?
On 21 September 2021. The physical release date — and thus the start of the NFC chip activation phase — was 21 October 2021, exactly one month later.
References
- officialWir präsentieren die Crypto Stamp 3.1 — Variuscardde
- communityCrypto Stamps der Österreichischen Post — Die Geldmariede
- communityCrypto Stamp — Wikipedia DEde
- communityCrypto Stamp 3.1 Rhinoceros — Colnectde