Biblical Silver Coins

Biblical Silver Coin Series from JM Bullion

There’s an exciting new series of silver coins available today in the precious metals marketplace, and it just might be one of the most robust options you’ll find right now. The Biblical Silver Coin series from the Scottsdale Mint is a collection of bullion coins available from the nation of Niue. The series launched in 2015 with six designs, and has continued in each year since with six new designs for each release year.

Coin series rarely run as long or go as in-depth in the design intricacy as the Biblical Silver Coin collection from Scottsdale Mint. Each coin is meticulously designed and refined with the appearance of ancient coinage in mind from start to finish. While the coins of the release series feature similarities from one year to the next, there are different reverse designs with each new year of availability. Journey through the stories of the Bible with us as we look at the Biblical Coins of Niue.

Background on the Series

The Biblical Coin Series from the Scottsdale Mint was released in 2015 with the story of Exodus from the Bible. The coin was the first of the year and of the series, and brought to life the tales of the Bible on breathtaking silver coins. Each coin in the series shares the following commonalities:

• High-relief design on a rimless blank with antique finish
• Contains 2 Troy oz of .999 pure silver
• Limited mintage of only 1,499 coins per release
• Bears a face value of 2 Dollars backed by Niue
• Obverse design of Queen Elizabeth II
• Designs based upon artwork from Gustave Dore

First and foremost, these coins have an ancient look and feel courtesy of the design of the blanks themselves. Each of the Biblical Silver Coins from Scottsdale Mint starts out as a rimless blank, mimicking the appearance of ancient coinage which often did not feature any sort of reeded or smooth edging around the rim.

Secondly, these coins are all 2 oz specimens struck in high relief and finished with an antique polish. High-relief designs lend a greater 3D appearance to the design fields, and the use of antique polish provides added depth to the intricate details of each individual design used in the collection.

Additionally, each coin in the series includes a laser-engraved edge-lettered individual serial number. These numbers range from 1 to 1,499 in each design release, and a Certificate of Authenticity is included in the packaging that reflects each coin’s serial number. The coins are packaged inside of a Bible-themed books.

Finally, the shared the obverse imagery is a unique departure for most commonwealth coinage such as those produced for Niue. While the vast majority of commonwealth nations in the South Pacific use the right-profile effigy of Queen Elizabeth II created in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley, the Scottsdale Mint went back in time to revive the third-generation effigy.

These coins have a right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II that was created in 1984 by Raphael Maklouf for use on British and commonwealth coinage. Maklouf was born in Jerusalem prior to World War II, and his family emigrated to the United Kingdom after the war. Maklouf’s third-generation depiction of the Queen features a higher crown atop her head with more intricate details to the jewelry she wears. This design was in use from 1984 to 1997.

2015 Design Releases

The designs released during the first year of availability for the Biblical Silver Coins covered some of the most relevant and well-known stories from the Bible. Released in order, these designs included:

• Exodus
• Crucifixion:
• David & Goliath
• The Ten Commandments
• The Pale Horse
• The New Jerusalem

2016 Design Releases

The Biblical Silver Coin Series continued into 2016 with six new design releases available, again following the most popular and frequently referenced stories from the Bible. The collection of coins from this year includes the following design releases:

• 2016 Daniel in the Den of Lions
• 2016 The Last Supper
• 2016 Adam & Eve
• 2016 The Good Samaritan
• 2016 Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones
• 2016 the Birth of Jesus

2017 Design Releases

The third full year of designs delivers six more entries in the Biblical Series from Scottsdale Mint. Like previous years, some of the Bible’s most poignant stories are captured on the reverse face of the coins. The designs available from 2017 include:

• 2017 The Baptism of Jesus
• 2017 Nailing Christ to the Cross
• 2017 Jacob Wrestles the Angel
• 2017 Jesus Calms the Seas
• The Death of Abel
• The Wise Men

2018 Design Releases

The fourth year of designs in the Biblical Series takes the collection beyond the 20-design mark with six new offerings available through the end of the calendar year. Included designs in this fourth year feature:

• Noah’s Dove
• Jesus Scourged
• Chariot of Fire
• John the Baptist
• Temptation of Jesus
• Ascension of Jesus

2019 Designs

The coin designs issued in the 2019 date mark bring the series from release number 25 overall to the 30^th overall in the collection. As with other dates, the 2019 Biblical Series Silver Coins deliver new reverse images with each release that include the following:

• Samson Slays the Lion
• Crown of Thorns
• First Born Slain
• Cast the First Stone
• Crowned Virgin
• Moses on the Nile

2020 Designs

The releases of the 2020 Biblical Series silver coins follow the images from the 31^st overall release to the 36^th design of the series. While none of the release years have a particular focus, you will notice that the 2020 Biblical Series captures a number of scenes in which Jesus Christ performs many of the miracles associated with his ministry. The designs of 2020 include:

• Jesus Walking On the Sea
• Judas Kiss
• Fiery Furnace
• Resurrection of Lazarus
• Destruction of Leviathan
• Christ in the Synagogue

2021 Designs

As the series nears, and surpasses, its 40th release, more stunning designs continue to feature on the reverse of the 2 oz antique silver coins in this collection. In 2021, collectors were treated to the following designs:

• Death of Samson
• Saint Paul Shipwrecked
• Transfiguration of Jesus
• Rebuilding The Jerusalem Temple
• Jesus Praying in the Garden
• Jesus Delivered to be Crucified

2022 Designs

As Scottsdale pushes toward the 50th overall design in the collection, six new images were introduced for the 2022 cycle that include:

• Jesus Healing the Sick
• The Deluge
• Samson and the Gates of Gaza
• Descent of the Spirit
• The Dead Christ
• Cleansing the Temple

Information on the Artist: Gustave Dore

Dore was a French artist, printmaker, illustrator, and sculptor whose preferred medium of work was wood engraving. Born in January 1832, he died in January 1883. His 1866 works known as the “illustrations for the Bible” launched him to fame and were considered an immense success. The collection was housed in a major exhibition in London in 1867, and provided the inspiration for each of the coin designs and releases in the Biblical Silver Series from the Scottsdale Mint.

About the Nation of Niue

Niue isn’t exactly the first nation to come to mind when you think about a massive presence in the precious metals industry. Nevertheless, mints such as the New Zealand Mint and now Scottsdale Mint are producing endless coin programs for the nation. Located 1,500 miles northeast of New Zealand, the small island nation has a total land area of just 100 square miles and a population of 1,612 as of 2016. Today, the nation exists in a state of free association with New Zealand, with the latter nation conducting most of the diplomatic relations for Niue and providing for its defense.

Scottsdale Mint

Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, the Scottsdale Mint is a private American minting location with a growing profile. Products from the Scottsdale Mint are distributed around the world through a network of authorized distributors and dealers. The mint has been recognized for its quality and consistency, as well as its innovation. The mint produces both investment-grade silver bullion products and a growing array of numismatic options, including these new Biblical Silver Coins.

Buying Biblical Silver Coins from JM Bullion

If you have any questions about the Biblical Silver Coin Series, JM Bullion customer service associates are available to help answer those inquiries. You can connect with us on the phone at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or simply send us an email with your inquiries.