Now on its fourth incarnation this year and tenth overall, the Scottsdale Mints ‘Biblical Stories’ coin series is powering its way through the large body of 19th century wood engravings by French artist, Gustave Doré. Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré was an illustrator, printmaker and sculptor who amongst his prolific output produced a series of hundreds of woodcuts illustrating scenes from the bible.

Scottsdale has decided to choose sixty of the most iconic scenes for a ten-year, sixty coin series. Released in annual sets of six coins, each one is struck in 2oz of high-relief 0.999 silver, rimless, and with an antique finish. Very similar to the rush of  ancient gods series out there, of which the similar Scottsdales Norse Gods 15-coin series is a fine example.

This release depicts the parable of The Good Samaritan, the story of a traveler who is mugged, and left half dead on the roadside. First a priest and then a Levite comes by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured man. A story meant to enforce the message of loving thy neighbour or enemy.

The coin design again, closely reflects the original 1860’s artwork and the interpretation by sculptor D’Almeda Novissimo is a fine one, although perhaps cropped a little tightly. There’s nothing here to diminish the appeal for those that have bought previous entrants in the series, it’s another high quality coin. Previous 2016 coins have been Daniel in the Den of Lions, the Last Supper, and the Garden of Eden. We’ve also 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.

The coins are sold exclusively through APMEX in the US, although other dealers worldwide will also get them, and the coin sells at $179.99. The six-coin collectors box will return to collate a 2016 series. Made of leather and styled like a book, it looks a quality item and sells for $74.99.

The Good Samaritan is the fourth 2016 release, and 10th overall release, in the Scottsdale Mint’s Biblical Series featuring iconic biblical scenes. Each of these 2 oz Silver coins has a mintage of 1,499 and features a high-relief, rimless design. The certificate of authenticity has an antique feel that coincides nicely with both the finish of the 2 oz coin and the design subject.

The certificate of authenticity has an antique feel that coincides nicely with both the finish of the 2 oz coin and the design subject. Included on the certificate is an image of Gustave Doré’s “Arrival of the Good Samaritan at the Inn”, showing how accurately Scottsdale Mint’s creative team recreated the original artwork for this coin series.

REVERSE: Inspired by Gustave Doré’s illustration of “Arrival of the Good Samaritan at the Inn” depicting the good Samaritan aiding the injured man off the donkey at the inn.new wilderness.

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

In the Gospel of Luke, the parable is introduced by a question, known as the Great Commandment:

Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, [Deuteronomy 6:5]; and your neighbour as yourself [Leviticus 19:18].”

He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”— Luke 10:25–29, World English Bible
Jesus replies with a story:

Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he travelled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbour to him who fell among the robbers?”

He said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”— Luke 10:30–37, World English Bible