Biblical Series of antiqued silver coins from Scottsdale Mint continues with second 2017 release

Scottsdale Mint’s epic ‘Biblical Series’ continues to power its way through a third year of releases. Envisaged to encompass a total of sixty coins spread over a decade, Scottsdale have managed to keep up with this schedule since the series debuted in 2015, forming neat, well produced annual sets of six coins. The second of six for 2017 and the fourteenth overall, the last coin depicted the nativity scene and this one depicts the crucifixion, so two consecutive releases that bookend the life of one of the most influential characters in world history.

As before, the 2oz high-relief, rimless design with an antique finish is in full flow here. The common obverse carries the Queens effigy, only to be expected when it’s issued under the banner of Niue Island, a Commonwealth country of which QEII is the head. All of the required inscriptions sit on the border of this face thankfully, including the composition and date. The only inscription on the reverse face is the coins title and the finished item is all the better for that.

Regular readers will know the drill by now. The design is taken from one of the woodcuts produced by 19th century French artist, Gustave Doré, a very respected artist in his field also noted for some superb art depicting the work of the writer, Dante. There are literally scores of these woodcuts, so Scottsdale will have little trouble finding some great art for sixty coins. The transition from woodcut to coin is handled quite superbly – if you like one, you’ll like the other, and you can see the two in our featured image at top.

Packaged in a book-style case, the annual six-coin leather-style collectors binder is definitely the better way to go if you’re buying a few of these each year. The coin sells for $179.99, so about mid-range for the format and mintage. If you want to know more check out our Coin Series Profile of the series where all the series is detailed and you can get a good look at one of the most ambitious series out there at the moment.