It’s not often you see a mint release two coins of the same design theme at the same time. It’s perhaps even more unique to see those coins arrive with a different twist on the same design. Scottsdale Mint’s Egyptian Relic Series of silver coins for the Republic of Chad offer an engaging look at Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and deities, but the new Ramesses II issue presses the program forward with a whole new approach.
The 2017 Egyptian Relic Series Ramesses II coins are available with the same physical features and finishes of the other coins in the collection, but this time the coins arrive with two unique takes on the same design. The coins are entitled the Ramesses II coin and the Ramesses II Afterlife coin. Read on to learn more about this impressive new release from Scottsdale Mint.
The Latest Coin
The 2017 2 oz Egyptian Relic Series Ramesses II silver coins for sale are available in the aforementioned options. Both coins share a variety of highlights, including the following:
- Arrives in an Egyptian Relic-themed box!
- 5th overall Egyptian Relic coin released!
- Limited mintage of only 25,000 coins!
- Contains 2 Troy oz of .999 pure silver in BU condition.
- Bears a face value of 1,000 Francs (CFA) backed by the Republic of Chad.
- Obverse includes a depiction of the pharaoh Ramesses.
- Reverse features the stunning coat of arms for the Republic of Chad.
- Antique polish, chiseled edges!
It is that obverse imagery that differs between the two coins. On the 2 oz Egyptian Relic Series Ramesses II coin you’ll find the front-facing effigy of Ramesses II as discovered within his tomb when it was excavated in 1881. He wears a headdress capped with the head of a snake and has the traditional woven beard from his chin.
However, the 2 oz Egyptian Relic Series Ramesses II Afterlife coin offers a different take on the design. Here, Ramesses II is captured as he would have looked in 1881: a mere skeleton. His face is replaced by the image of just his skull, and the entire background of the field is exceptionally worn in appearance (though not in physical touch) with cracks. The overall goal is to convey a sense of the immense time that has passed since Ramesses II walked this Earth.
The reverse side of both coins in the Ramesses II release have the image of the coat of arms for the Republic of Chad. The shield features zig-zag lines in a horizontal pattern with a sunburst rising over the top of the shield. There is a goat to the left and a lion on the right. The banner of “Unite – Travail – Progres” is featured below the shield. Around the edges of the design field, the engravings of “Republique du Tchad,” “2 Troy oz .999 Fine Silver,” and “1000 Francs CFA.”
Egyptian Afterlife Beliefs
This is the first coin in the Egyptian Relic Series that features two twists on the same design. For the Ancient Egyptians, life did not end when the physical body ceased working in this world. After death, there was the journey to the afterlife. Death was but a temporary interruption, or pause, in life for Ancient Egyptians. In order to ensure that individual had a comfortable journey to and existence in the afterlife, funerary practices were developed wherein the body was mummified to sustain for centuries and personal belongings were included in the tombs of the deceased.
By in large, mummification processes and elaborate tombs were reserved only for pharaohs and those of extremely high social standing in Ancient Egypt. The inclusion of a second, afterlife-themed design in the Ramesses II life is a fitting tribute to the long-held beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians.
Who was Ramesses II?
Ramesses II was the third pharaoh to rule the Egyptian Empire during the 19th Dynasty of Egypt. The son of Seti I, Ramesses was appointed as a Prince Regent by his father when he was just 14 years old. An accomplished military hero, Ramesses II rose to throne as pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire a decade later at the age of 24 and ruled for nearly 70 years. At a time when most Egyptians didn’t live beyond 30 (women) or 34 (men) years old, Ramesses II lived to be an astonishing 91 years old.
During the seven decade rule of Ramesses II, the Egyptian Empire experienced a great revival. Many achievement have been credited to Ramesses II during his reign. He is celebrated as the greatest and most powerful pharaoh of Egypt, influencing the future shape of the empire’s culture and religion, as well as reestablishing previous borders for the empire. His victories on the battlefield include winning campaigns against the Canaanites, Nubians, Sherdan sea pirates, and the powerful Hittities. However, he may be best remembered for signing the world’s first-ever peace treaty. That treaty ended hostilities between the Egyptian Empire and the Hatti.
Ramesses II died in 1213 BC and was buried in the famed Valley of the Kings. His body was later moved to a royal cache, where it was discovered in 1881. Today, his body rests in the Cairo Museum on display for those of the modern world.
About the Egyptian Relic Series
The Egyptian Relic Series from the Scottsdale Mint launched in 2016 with the 5 oz King Tut Silver coin. This piece had a mintage of 30,000 coins in total and introduced silver collectors to Scottsdale’s use of the “bored” look. Each one of the coins in this collection has a chiseled granite edge, which gives the impression that each piece was bored right out of the wall of an ancient tomb in Egypt.
In addition to the 5 oz King Tut Silver Coin, Scottsdale Mint released three other coins prior to the 2 oz Ramesses II coins. The 2 oz Horus Silver Coin honored one of the most prominent Ancient Egyptian deities as the second release in the series. This coin featured a much higher 50,000 maximum mintage. There were also releases of a 1 oz King Tut Gold coin in the collection with a low mintage of only 10,000 coins, and most recently a 5 oz Nefertiti Silver Coin with a mintage of 30,000 earlier in 2017.
Background on Scottsdale Mint
The Scottsdale Mint is a private minting facility located in the US state of Arizona. The mint produces a variety of exceptional gold and silver products ranging from bullion coin programs to their own Scottsdale-branded rounds and bars. Scottsdale Mint might have the largest profile of any private American mint when it comes to sovereign bullion coins, working with foreign reserve banks on the African continent and the Caribbean to produce stunning coinage options.
Shop JM Bullion for Egyptian Relic Series Coins
JM Bullion has many of the Egyptian Relic Series silver coins in stock still for purchase. Whether you’re just starting in this collection or have every piece released to date, the Egyptian Relic coins are an excellent collectible item. Stay tuned to JM Bullion for more blog posts each week covering new releases, upcoming coin programs, and industry news.
