Scottsdale Mints ‘Biblical Stories’ coin series is one of the most ambitious for quite some time. Envisaged as a ten year run of sixty coins, released six per year, these are not budget offerings, but limited run, high-end, 2oz antique-finished coins selling for $180 each. All are inspired by the artwork from a highly regarded 19th century wood engraving specialist, Gustave Doré, known for his work illustrating the writer Dante’s seminal novels, and for a huge collection of woodcuts depicting scenes from the Bible.

Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré was a French artist, illustrator, printmaker and sculptor who worked primarily with wood engraving. Doré was a prolific artist and his bible series first published in 1865 numbered several hundred illustrations in total. The first coin for 2016 depicts the scene of Daniel in the Den of Lions, a story from the New Testament. The obverse remains the Ralph Maklouf image of Elizabeth II, not the later, although now also replaced, Ian Rank Broadley version, and the laser-etched serial number on the rim that matches the certificate is also a returning feature. Fans of the previous coins will see nothing to disappoint here, although equally it’s not going to convert anybody who wasn’t a fan of the 2015 set. We’ve covered every one of the six 2015 coins, and they are Exodus, The Crucifixion of Jesus, David and Goliath, The Ten Commandments, Death on a Pale Horse, and New Jerusalem.

As last year, the coins are sold exclusively through APMEX in the US, and the coin remains at $179.99. APMEX do have a habit of creeping prices upwards over time to well over $200, not a tactic we’re fans of here, but only the first coin has sold out, so we may see an end to that this year. The six-coin collectors box will return to collate a 2016 series. Made of leather and styled like a book, it looks a beautiful piece and sells for $74.99. It’s up for pre-order at APMEX right now from the blue button link in its usual place at the bottom of the article. Some of the packaging images are from the previous coin, but it remains the same so all the images are valid for this one.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The first of a six-coin series released in 2016, Daniel in the Lion’s Den depicts God’s faithful servant Daniel surviving a night with bloodthirsty lions engraved in 2 oz of .999 fine Silver.

As revealed in chapter 6 of Daniel in the Christian Bible, jealous men observed Daniel in an illegal act — prayer. Obliged to follow the law and punish any man petitioning any God or man beside the throne, the king guiltily had Daniel cast into the lion’s den. When the king returned the next morning, he found Daniel miraculously unharmed — an angel of God had protected him.

The scene, as depicted in Gustave Doré’s 1860s wood engraving, “Daniel in the Den of Lions,” is the inspiration for the U.S.-based Scottsdale Mint’s latest Silver coin. With deliberate detail, the coin features Daniel safe among several fierce but peaceful lions.

“The Daniel in the Lion’s Den coin follows the original series’ theme of hope and mercy triumphing over darkness,” APMEX Vice President of Merchandising Andrew Martineau said. “Appropriately enough, a portion of proceeds from purchases of this series will support a faith-based human rights organization, the International Justice Mission (IJM). The non-profit operates all over the world to combat grave injustices, including brutality and illegal detention, like the coin illustrates.”

REVERSE: Inspired by Gustave Doré’s illustration of “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” depicting Daniel standing in the middle of the den with lions and skeletons surrounding him.

OBVERSE: Features the Raphael Maklouf likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by the weight, purity and face value.

With a limited mintage of 1,499 coins, Daniel in The Lion’s is a collector’s item. Each coin comes with a certificate of authenticity telling the story of the coin, its minting specifications and a unique serial number that matches the laser-etched number on the coin. The certificate also features Doré’s artwork the design was based off. The Scottsdale Mint issues the coin by the authority of the island of Niue, where it is legal tender.

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SPECIFICATION