Silver Two Ounces 2016 Björn Ironside, Coin from Niue - detailed information

Niue, a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand, uses two official legal tender currencies. The New Zealand Dollar is the circulation currency for daily transactions, while the government also authorises legal tender coins in the Niue Dollar currency for collector's purposes.

A number of mints issue a large variety of commemorative, bullion and collector coins under the authority of Niue. These coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to Niue itself. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes - for example, two ounces of silver (abbreviated as 2 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Many of these features characters and themes from legends, mythology or religion, such as this one.

This coin is part of the Vikings: Gods, Kings and Warrior Series by Scottsdale Mint and features Björn Ironside.

Björn Ironside was a Norse Viking chief and legendary king of Sweden, who appears in Norse legends. According to the 12th and 13th century Scandinavian histories, he was the son of the notorious and historically dubious Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok. He lived in the 9th century, being securely dated between 855 and 858.

Björn Ironside is said to have been the first ruler of the Swedish Munsö dynasty. Medieval sources refer to Björn Ironside's sons and grandsons, including Erik Björnsson and Björn at Haugi. His descendants in the male line supposedly ruled over the Swedes until around 1060.