Silver Coin 1 kg Vikings 2023 Antique Standard

Vikings - 1 kg

A unique silver coin issued by the State of Samoa for 2023 weighing one kilogram and minted in the Antique Standard multilayer high relief technique in 99.9% pure silver, inspired by the history of southern Scandinavia and featuring the famous sailors and feared raiders - the Vikings.

The reverse side of the coin is created in several different minting depths, creating a perfect three-dimensional effect. The plasticity stands out on the figure of the Viking, whose depiction is influenced by the romantic myth of warriors in helmets with two horns. The motif of a shield and crossed axes, decorated with Nordic patterns and runes, is placed in the centre of the coin. From the depressed centre, the mintage gradually rises towards the outer rim of the coin. The inner ring is divided into four separate cut-outs of dragon heads from the bows of war dragonriders. The individual images in the die-cuts depict the life of the conquering Norsemen. Beginning in their seaside homeland with its characteristic buildings, it continues with the drakkars' voyage across the open sea, then follows their approach to land and the warriors' growing excitement at their approaching prey, and ends with a depiction of the legendary cruelty of the Vikings in their pillaging. The outer decorated circle bears the stylized inscription "VIKINGS".
The Vikings were descended from many separate tribes living in areas of present-day Sweden, Norway and Denmark, who subsisted on agriculture, herding, fishing, crafts and trade. They got their name from the word viking, which means a marauding voyage.
The growth of the Nordic population, the associated lack of fertile land and dynastic pretensions led the Vikings to make maritime expeditions to foreign lands, which have gone down in history as the so-called Viking Age. Between the 8th and 11th centuries, the sight of approaching Viking drakkars struck terror into the eyes of the inhabitants of Western Europe. Invasions were accompanied by violence and pillage, but also by colonisation and the merging with the indigenous population. The raiders became traders offering looted treasures and slaves. Because of their superior physical and martial skills, they were recruited into foreign armies or as personal guards for the emperors of Byzantium.
The most famous Viking is Leif Eriksson, who was the first European to sail to the shores of the then unknown continent of what is now America. Around 985 he founded the first settlement of Vinland in the northern part of the island of Newfoundland. This was half a century before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.

The obverse shows the national emblem of Samoa with the inscription "SAMOA", the weight and purity of the metal, the year of issue "2023" and the face value "25 DOLLARS".

The coin comes in its original gift box with a certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 199 pieces for the whole world!