For those who ever sat through a mythology class in high school or college, you undoubtedly earned a basic introduction to the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome. The individuals highlighted by Greek and Roman mythology remain popular today, featuring in countless Hollywood feature films.
However, the mythology of Norse civilizations have long remained in the shadows by comparison. A variety of mints and different designers around the globe are helping Norse gods emerge from the mist and into the popular culture of 21st century life with stunning designs on silver rounds. No fewer than three different mints have produced or are still striking Norse God Series silver rounds and coins.
Perth Mint – Norse God Rimless Coins
As you might expect, Australia’s Perth Mint introduced a Norse God Series of silver coins. To date, the Perth Mint series includes just two coins. Each was introduced in 2016 with a limited mintage of just 2,000 coins in total. The coins each ship in wooden display boxes with a themed presentation shipper. Both coins, representing Odin and Thor, feature 2 oz of .999 pure silver, legal face value of $2 in Tuvalu, and have an antique finish.
Adding to the beauty of the Perth Mint coins is the use of a high-relief, rimless blank. This creates a truly unique appearance to the coins. Information on the Perth Mint’s two releases include:
- 2016 Odin Coin: On the reverse of the coin is the image of Oden wielding his famous spear, cloaked in his full battle regalia, and riding into the fight on his horse, Sleipnir. His name is engraved in the upper-left field of the design, and the Perth Mint’s “P” mint mark is hidden in his trailing cloak.
- 2016 Thor Coin: On the reverse you’ll find the depiction of Thor raising his hammer to strike in anger. Thor is well known as the God of Thunder, but is more generally associated with storms, lightning, and strength. His father is the god Odin, and his mother the Earth goddess Fyorgyn.
BH Mayer Mint – Norse God Cook Islands Coins
There are a few similarities between this series of the Perth Mint series. For starters, each coin has 2 oz of .999 pure silver and features a high-relief proof striking with an antique finish. However, these coins are minted in Germany with lower mintages capped at 1,000 per design and a face value of $10 that is legal tender in the Cook Islands. The most significant difference is the variety in the series. While Perth’s series features just two different designs to date, the BH Mayer Mint has released a total of 9 different designs. Specific information on each coin release is contained below:
- 2015 Odin Coin: On the reverse face is the image of Odin as he sits upon his throne wielding a spear in his right hand. Engravings above his head read “Norse Gods” and his name in Norse, as well as his name translated in English below.
- 2015 Thor Coin: The reverse side of the coin is the image of Thor, with the engravings “Norse Gods” and “Thor” accompanying the primary design. In Norse mythology, Thor was the son of Odin, King of the Gods. Thor’s place was by his father’s side, and he was associated with thunder, lightning, storms, and strength. The source of his power was his magical hammer, which could not be lifted by any god or human by himself.
- 2015 Tyr Coin: On the reverse face is the image of Tyr in full war gear, and he is even depicted with his right hand missing, a facet just visible on the arm holding his shield.
- 2015 Hel Coin: On the reverse side of the coin you’ll find the image of Hel as she stands guard at the gates of the underworld. Hel is the being who presides over the underworld. For many Western civilizations, her name became the literal translation of the place over which she presided: hell. Hel is said to be the daughter of Loki.
- 2016 Heimdall Coin: The reverse of each Norse Gods coin features a design highlighting a specific diety. On this coin you can see Heimdall standing in the center of the design field, with the rainbow bridge of Bifrost behind him leading to Midgard from Asgard.
- 2016 Loki Coin: On the reverse face of the coin you’ll find the image of Loki in the foreground, wearing a horrifying mask with tall horns. In the background, you’ll notice many of the animals he was believed to change into on a regular basis.
- 2016 Frigg Coin: The reverse face of the Norse God Frigg Proof Coin features the powerful goddess sitting on the throne of Hlisdkialf. Frigg is the wife of Odin, father of the gods, but is not the mother of his famous son and fellow god, Thor. Frigg is the only other god than Odin allowed to sit on the throne of Hlisdkialf.
- 2016 Freyr Coin: The reverse face of the Freyr coin features depictions of rain and sun in the design, denoting his status as a ruler of the weather and elements. Other features of the design element include “Norse Gods” and his name in Norse.
- 2016 Sif Coin: On the reverse of the 2016 2 oz Cook Islands Silver Norse Gods Sif Proof Coin you’ll find the image of Sif, who is the wife of Thor and was known for her stunning beauty, and long, golden hair.
Anonymous Mint & Osborne Precious Metals – Antique Silver Rounds
The newest Norse God Series comes from coin creator Julie Lindquist, working with Anonymous Mint and Osborne Precious Metals. These new silver rounds feature 10 rounds in total, but only five gods are represented. The Norse Silver Rounds are available in 1 oz weights and 5 oz weights, with each god represented twice.
All of the 1 oz rounds have a maximum mintage of just 2,000 rounds and ship in display boxes with signed Certificates of Authenticity. Anonymous Mint worked with master sculptor Luigi Badia to bring renowned artist Howard David Johnson’s Norse artwork to life on these rounds. Each one is a proof, mirrored product with an antique finish. The five designs include the following:
- Odin: On the obverse side of each 1 oz Antique Norse God Series Odin Silver Round you’ll find the image of Odin as he sits upon his throne flanked by many of his common animal companions from Norse mythology. These creatures include his wolves Geri and Freki. Engravings identify Odin and his status as “The All-Father.”
- Thor: On the obverse of the 1 oz Antique Norse Gods Series Thor Silver Round is the imposing image of the God of Thunder. Thor presides over the wind, rain, fair weather, thunder, lightning, and agricultural crops, and he is the son of Odin and the giantess Fjorgyn. Critical to the design is his powerful hammer held out, which is known as Mjolnir.
- Hel: On the obverse of the 1 oz Antique Norse God Series Hel Silver Round is the image of Hel, hauntingly surrounded by the dead of the underworld. She is depicted on the round sitting upon her thrown with a sullen, hollow look on her face.
- Freya: On the obverse is the image of Freya created by renowned artist Howard David Johnson. His depiction of the Goddess of Love shows Freya riding in her chariot pulled by two cats. Freya, though holding the position as Goddess of Love, oversees love, beauty, sexuality, fertility, gold, war and death. Half of those who die in war are received by Freya, with the other half going to Odin.
- Loki: On the obverse of these rounds you’ll find the image of Loki, the shape-shifting Norse god. Depending upon the sources you read, Loki would occasionally assist the other Norse gods, or he would use his shape shifting ability to maliciously disrupt the endeavors of the other gods. He is the father of Hel, Goddess of Death, as well as many other Norse characters.
All of the rounds in this series, both 1 oz and 5 oz, have a shared reverse design. The reverse of the rounds features the image of one of the members of the Valkyrie, Odin’s chosen band of warrior maidens responsible for choosing who lives and dies among mankind’s battles. The Valkyrie famously rode their steeds into battle in the skies overhead, the roar of their horses serving as thunder and the glint of their swords providing lightning.
Available from JM Bullion
Keep an eye on our online catalog as the Anonymous Mint/Osborne Precious Metal silver rounds debut in the weeks ahead. If you have questions about availability of other product, browse our catalog, call us on the phone at 800-276-6508, connect with us online using our live chat, or send us an email.
