MDM’s Norse Gods coins are back for a second time around, but this time they’re gilded

One of the first series of coins to capitalise on the unexpected success of the Perth Mint’s ‘Gods of Olympus’ series, MDM’s ‘Norse Gods’ was a nine-piece 2oz silver set of high-relief coins depicting the Norse gods of legend. It was a nice set with some quirky and unique artwork that helped lay the groundwork for the busy genre we have today. Struck by BH Mayer, they were also well realised. They were released quite rapidly through 2015 and 2016. MDM followed up this one with a very cool Gladiator-themed set.

Things have been quiet on this front, apart from the issue of a five-ounce coin that collected the gods in a single design, but MDM have decided to bring back the original 2015 range in a new, more limited form, with a mintage of 499 instead of 1,000 pieces. The difference this time is that the god has been highlighted with 0.999 gold. We’ve always been admirers of gilding on an antique coin as the two seem to contrast perfectly with each other. This is why we’re equally not fans of coloured gold coins.

Suffice to say you can read and see more about the original series in our Coin Series Profile, so we won’t rehash it here, but these were really nice coins on issue and this new ‘Golden’ series does nothing to diminish that. If you missed out first time around, you now have a second chance. Each is boxed with a C.O.A. and Thor will be available around the end of April. We’ll fully update the original profile with these variants onc3e a few of them are out.

THOR

The hammer-wielding god Thor is associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing and fertility. Thor is frequently referred to in place names and gave his name to the day of the week Thursday (Thors Day).

In Norse mythology, largely recorded in Iceland from traditional material stemming from Scandinavia, numerous tales and information about Thor are provided. In these sources, Thor bears at least fourteen names, is the husband of the golden-haired goddess Sif, is the lover of the jötunn Járnsaxa, and is generally described as fierce-eyed, red-haired and red-bearded. With Sif, Thor fathered the goddess (and possible valkyrie) Þrúðr; with Járnsaxa, he fathered Magni; with a mother whose name is not recorded, he fathered Móði, and he is the stepfather of the god Ullr. The same sources list Thor as the son of the god Odin and the personified earth, Fjörgyn, and by way of Odin, Thor has numerous brothers.

Thor has two servants, Þjálfi and Röskva, rides in a cart or chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr (that he eats and resurrects), and is ascribed three dwellings (Bilskirnir, Þrúðheimr, and Þrúðvangr). Thor wields the mountain-crushing hammer, Mjölnir, wears the belt Megingjörð and the iron gloves Járngreipr, and owns the staff Gríðarvölr. Thor’s exploits, including his relentless slaughter of his foes and fierce battles with the monstrous serpent Jörmungandr—and their foretold mutual deaths during the events of Ragnarök—are recorded throughout sources for Norse mythology.