The Egyptian Gods Series of Silver Rounds
Every culture has its own mythology, religions, and beliefs that were pervasive at some point in time. In the ancient world, one of the most powerful cultures was that of the Egyptians. Ruling over the Nile River Delta where the African continent meets the Middle East, the Egyptians had a rich society and a complex system of deities. For those who love buying unique silver products, the silver bullion rounds of the Egyptian Gods Series should be near the top of the list!
Features of the Egyptian Gods Series
Each of the Egyptian Gods Series Silver Rounds features designs struck onto a rimless, 2 oz silver blank. The products in this selection come with a high-relief strike, the result of the silver blanks being struck under intense pressure in a slow coining process. Often, the presses will strike the blank several times to bring out a greater 3D visual for the design.
There is no announced mintage cap for any of the designs in the collection. Each one is available to purchase individually in protective plastic, or in bulk orders. The bulk options include tubes of 10 rounds our boxes with 250 rounds packaged inside of 25 individual tubes of 10 rounds. Most importantly, the rounds in this collection have their own unique obverse and reverse designs reflecting the Egyptian God as it was known to the people, and in the forms, it was believed to take.
Gods in the Egyptian Gods Series – Original Releases
The original release of the Egyptian Gods Series of 2 oz silver rounds consisted of four designs, each of which proved immensely popular with investors. These ultra-high-relief rounds were produced in both a traditional proof and an antique option. The designs in that four-image original release of the Egyptian Gods Series included:
- Cleopatra: The first release in the series is arguably the most unique. Cleopatra was very much a real person, ruling Egypt as part of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. She was a diplomat, naval commander, and even a medical author. Her figure is depicted on the obverse, with symbols associated with her featured on the reverse.
- Anubis: The god Anubis is one of the more well-known deities of Ancient Egypt. His figure is associated with mummification and the afterlife, and he was often depicted as a man with a canine head as found on the round’s obverse. The reverse side includes the image of a canine, the creature that Anubis is most closely associated with in cultural depictions.
- Sobek: One of the oldest gods of Egyptian mythology is Sobek. First recording during the time of the Old Kingdom as early as 2686 BC, Sobek is a symbol of power, fertility, and military prowess. Sobek is depicted on the obverse as a man with the head of a crocodile and the waves and riches of the Nile River in the background. The reverse includes the full body of a Nile crocodile.
- Khnum: The god Khnum is believed to be associated with the creation of human life and human figures. He is often depicted with a male frame and the head of a goat, as the obverse side depicts a goat-headed man crafting the figure of a human. The reverse includes the image of a goat on an altar in front of a pyramid.
Continuation of the Egyptian Gods Series – New and Upcoming Releases
Starting in 2021, the Egyptian Gods Series resumed with new designs released and even more designs planned to revive this popular collectible silver round series. The designs are again available to purchase in 2 oz silver with an ultra-high-relief strike on both traditional proof and antique specimens. There are a total of three designs planned for the continuation of the Egyptian Gods Series that include:
- Osiris: One of Ancient Egypt’s oldest deities, there are indications that Osiris was first worshipped as far back as the 25th century BCE. Rumored to have been a pharaoh at one point himself, Osiris is deeply connected with rebirth and the afterlife. Having been murdered and dismembered by his brother, Set, Osiris was brought back to life by his wife, Isis. She wrapped him up to the chest and used magic to bring him back to life, albeit temporarily. The design on the obverse shows Osiris wearing the Atef crown with a crook and flail in his hands.
- Sekhmet: One of the few deities that saw her form and purpose change over time, Sekhmet was first worshipped during the Second Dynasty around 2890 BCE. Sekhmet is believed to have been the more aggressive and warlike version of a figure known as Bastet. While Sekhmet was associated with warfare and death, Bastest was a more docile figure associated with healing and portection. Sekhmet is often featured with a feminine figure and the head of a lionness, while her animal form is that of a cat.
- Horus: In the seventh release of the Egyptian Gods Series, another of the gods associated with the pharaohs is featured. This time it is Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis. While Osiris is associated with the pharaohs and the transition to the afterlife, Horus is associated with the pharaohs while they are alive. Horus is depicted in his male form with a falcon head on the obverse. He stands in left-profile relief with the shadow of his father, Set is depicted in right-profile relief in the background. The hieroglyphic symbols for Horus are found on this side. In the reverse design, Horus is shown in his full animal form as a falcon perched above a cobra. The falcon wears the pschent, a crown representing the pharaohs’ rule over Upper and Lower Egypt.
- Thoth: For the eighth overall release in the Egyptian Gods Series, Heidi Wastweet offers collectors visions of the Egyptian god Thoth. Some of the oldest Egyptian folktales suggest that Thoth was born from the lips of Ra at the very beginning of creation and he was originally known as a god without a mother. Like other Egyptian deities, Thoth is associated with many facets of life. He is the God of the Moon, as well as sacred texts, math, science, and magic. He is perhaps most well known as the recorder of the deities and patron of scribes. In the new design, Thoth is shown with a tablet and the tools of a scribe in hand.
About the Designer
From the first design to the last in the Egyptian Gods Series, the collection features the work of the same artist. Heidi Wastweet created the four original designs in this series and is back on board to create the new releases in the collection, Osiris and the other upcoming depictions. Ms. Wastweet’s career started in 1987 and includes more than 1,000 individual coin and medal designs to date. She previously served as the Chief Engraver of the Sunshine Mint for 11 years, served as the lead artist and sculptor for the Global Mint for five years, and has worked with the United States Mint on projects as an individual artist. Her medal designs are held in the collections of places like the Smithsonian, American Numismatic Society, and the British Museum.
Mintage for Each Egyptian God Release
As with any limited-run series, the individual designs in the Egyptian Gods Series have differing mintage figures. The length of the time the rounds were in production and the demand for each played a role in the final mintages for each one:
- Cleopatra – 38,767
- Anubis – 16,142
- Sobek – 12,500
- Khnum – 7,502
- Osiris – 24,800
- Sekhmet – 26,020
- Horus – 24,765
Gods and the Ancient Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians lacked the ability to perceive that which occurred around them in the world. The actions and roles of the Egyptian gods were a means of understanding the world, and these myths expressed an important part of the ancient Egyptian religion.
Purchasing the Egyptian Gods Series Silver Rounds from JM Bullion
If you have any questions as you look to buy silver, JM Bullion customer service is happy to help. Our customer service team is available to help answer your questions at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat service, and via our email address.
