Index · Edition · cs-3-1-cat-at
Cat — Crypto Stamp 3.1
Cat
Crypto Stamp 3.1 Cat is the second African animal motif of 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 cat on Crypto Stamp 3.1 depicts an African wildcat — likely Felis silvestris lybica or a similar small-to-medium predator. Österreichische Post has not specified the exact species; the stylized rendering allows multiple interpretations.
The animal appears in a stalking pose, intersected by a geometric diamond representing the Ethereum symbol. The plastic card construction with multi-layered NFC protection matches the sister edition Rhino.
Symbolic Positioning
Unlike most Crypto Stamp motifs, the Cat carries no crypto-slang reference. In crypto terminology, there is no established Cat investor category or market phenomenon — unlike Doge (memecoin), Whale (large holder), or Honey Badger (meme reference).
This positions CS 3.1 toward collectors outside crypto culture. The diamond design element provides the crypto marker; the animal itself functions as a philatelic motif.
Availability and Collector Dynamics
Pre-orders opened 21 September 2021; physical release was 21 October 2021 — identical to the sister edition Rhino. The 70,000 mintage remained available in the online shop several weeks longer than the CS 2.0 animals of 2020. This reflects both the late-2021 crypto market conditions and CS 3.1 serving an established collector base.
Variant Distribution
The five-tier color distribution follows the established rarity model:
- Black: 36,633 pieces (52.33%), ANK Crypto stamp 9a
- Green: 18,667 pieces (26.67%), ANK Crypto stamp 9b
- Blue: 9,333 pieces (13.33%), ANK Crypto stamp 9c
- Yellow: 4,667 pieces (6.67%), ANK Crypto stamp 9d
- Red: 700 pieces (1.00%), ANK Crypto stamp 9e
The Cat carries the main number Crypto stamp 9 in the ANK Standard Catalog, immediately after the Rhino at Crypto stamp 8. Both editions share consecutive catalog numbering.
Secondary Market
On secondary markets (Delcampe, eBay, stamp dealers including Borek, Tyrol-Phila, Nordfrim), the Cat in black trades between EUR 25 and EUR 70 — slightly below the Rhino in comparable color. Both have identical 70,000 mintage with identical color distribution; the price differential reflects collector preference.
Red Cats (700 pieces) achieve prices in the three- to four-figure EUR range. Red Cats typically trade in the lower band compared to red Rhinos.
Place in the Set
Within CS 3.1, the Cat functions as the complement to the Rhino. Collectors pursuing a complete set acquire both stamps in identical color variant — a convention established among Crypto Stamp collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cat is shown on the stamp?
Österreichische Post has not specified the exact species. Since the motif belongs to the African wildlife theme of CS 3.1, the depicted animal is not a domestic cat but an African wildcat — likely Felis silvestris lybica or a similar small-to-medium wildcat. The stylized design leaves a definitive identification open.
What is the Cat's ANK catalog number?
In the Austria Netto Katalog, CS 3.1 Cat is listed as Crypto stamp 9 with sub-letters a (Black), b (Green), c (Blue), d (Yellow) and e (Red). International catalog entries vary — the Michel entry for the Cat is not unambiguously documented.
How does the Cat differ from the Rhino within CS 3.1?
Both motifs share mintage (70,000 per motif), face value (9.90 EUR), color rarity model, and the diamond design element. Functionally they are identical. Among collectors, the Rhino tends to be slightly more sought-after, reflected in marginally higher secondary-market prices for comparable color variants — likely because of the rhino's greater visual recognizability versus a more abstractly rendered wildcat.
Does the Cat have a direct crypto meaning?
No. Unlike Doge (memecoin reference), Whale (large-holder slang), or Honey Badger ("Honey Badger Don't Care" meme), the Cat does not carry a standardized crypto connotation. Within CS 3.1, it represents African wildlife and uses the diamond on the stamp as the direct Ethereum reference.