Scottsdale Mints Biblical Series reaches its 2016 conclusion with The Nativity.

The last of the six coins to be released in Scottsdale Mint’s epic ‘Biblical Series’ is now here and appropriately enough given the proximity to Christmas, it depicts the Birth of Jesus, one of the core stories in the Christian canon. As regular buyers of this series will be aware, each coin takes one of 19th century French artist, Gustave Doré’s well regarded woodcuts and translates the artwork to suit the smaller coin format.

These are beautifully produced coins and if you’re collecting them, this is more of the same. For those who just dabble in the ocassional coin from the series, this lacks the dynamism of some of the others in the series, but that’s hardly surprising given the subject matter and obvious lack of smiting and fighting.

Packaging continues on as before and is a decent home for the coin struck in 2oz of high-relief 0.999 silver, rimless, and with an antique finish. Again, regular buyers will likely go for the much better quality annual collectors box that holds the six coins released each year. The coin is sold exclusively through APMEX in the US, and through other dealers worldwide, selling for $179.99. 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.

Scottsdale Mint has done a phenomenal job of showcasing various narratives through their innovative designs on each of the Biblical Series coins. The culmination of these efforts is on full display with the last release of 2016, a depiction of the Nativity scene, a story that is iconic as any from the Bible. This stunning antique-finish coin is the perfect way to end to this year’s installments of the series.

Included certificate of authenticity lists Luke 2: 8-17, in which the shepherds of the field leave their flocks, after a visitation by angels, to see the newborn messiah named Jesus in a manger at Bethlehem. Included on the certificate is an image of Gustave Doré’s “The Nativity”, showing how accurately Scottsdale Mint’s creative team recreated the original artwork for this coin series.

REVERSE: Inspired by Gustave Doré’s illustration of “The Nativity” depicting baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph surrounded by shepherds and the animals in the stables.

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