Mans journey to the afterlife is immortalised in silver starting with the Vikings journey to Valhalla
One look at our guide to Numiscollect’s various myths and legends themed coin series will tell you they have an obvious talent when it comes to the genre, so it’s always of interest when a new series debuts. The stories being told this time around are equally fascinating, tales visualising the passage of the dead to the afterlife.
Kicking it all off are a pernnial favourite – the Vikings and wider Norse mythology. The Norse believed that those dying honourably in combat would get to drink and feast with the gods in the halls of Valhalla. To set them on their journey, high status individuals were set adrift in a longship, which was set ablaze. They were surrounded by objects to take with them, much like the Egyptians, no doubt a future subject for the series.
This is all depicted in the classic Numiscollect style, different to that employed by the Mint of Poland, looking more defined and precise, not better or worse, just different. It’s a really nice piece, with a small, but very well chosen bit of colour highlighting contrasting beautifully with the antique finish. The depiction of the longship funeral pyre hovers between realistic and stylised, and has a nice sense of layered depth to it.
The obverse is a wild mix of elements, showing us Valhalla at it’s most ambitious, complete with what looks like the legendary world tree ‘Yggdrassil’ in the background, along with the huge feasting halls and the Rainbow Bridge. It looks like the obverse will change for each issue, given how heavily Norse themed this one is.
Available to order now, this two-ounce, rimless proof coin has a mintage of 555 pieces and is boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, of course. A fine example of the genre and a good start to an intriguing premise for a range of coins. If you want to check out Numiscollects various other ancient mythology coin series, we have a big visual guide to them and you can read it HERE.
MINTS DESCRIPTION
The ‘Vikings’ coin is the first issue in the ‘Afterlife – Rites of Passage’ series. It shows the burial rites of a fallen Viking king on the reverse and the afterlife ‘Valhalla’ on the obverse. This coin is struck using the enhanced Smartminting technology which results in stunning ultra high relief on both sides. The coin has an antique finish with color and is struck on a 2 oz pure silver 45mm blank in the highest quality. It has a limited mintage of only 555 pcs worldwide and comes in a beautiful box with Certificate of Authenticity. Get this first edition now to not miss out on this series.
Vikings cremated their individuals of high stature and honour through a ship burial ceremony. They would be placed on a traditional Viking ship in a horizontal position. Various personal belongings and other artifacts that could be used in the afterlife were placed around them. The ship would then set sail and put on fire by an arrow. This marked the start of the journey to the afterlife, from Midgard (Earth) to Asgard.
Valhalla is the Vikings afterlife. It consists of a huge hall where the Viking warriors would be able to spend the rest of eternity feasting together. However, this privilege was only reserved for Vikings who died while fighting honourably in combat. In front of hall one finds the Glasir tree bearing red and golden leaves and said to be the most beautiful among gods and men.
SPECIFICATION | |
DENOMINATION | $10 Palau |
COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
WEIGHT | 62.2 grams |
DIMENSIONS | 45.0 mm |
FINISH | Antique |
MODIFICATIONS | Ultra high-relief, smartminting, colour |
MINTAGE | 555 |
BOX / C.O.A. | Yes / Yes |
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