| Coin | Gold Half Gram 2022 The Vikings |
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The currency of Samoa is the Tālā, the name of which is a transliteration of the English words Dollar; it was introduced in 1967. On coinage sometimes the English word is inscribed, especially on commemorative and bullion coins not intended to circulate within the country.
Samoa has authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the internationally popular half gram of gold mini-coin format, such as this one.
This coin is the gold "companion" to the twelve-coin silver series named The Vikings, which features various aspects of the life and culture of the ancient vikings. |
| Mint | MDM |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
7,500
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin features the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait", by Ian Rank-Broadley). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits. Below the neck truncation, the designer's initials IRB.
Given that Samoa has been a republic since it gained independence in 1962, it is unclear why the Queen's effigy is displayed on the coin.
Below the portrait, a small Coat of Arms of Samoa. It consists of a shield, the lower two-thirds of which have five stars representing the constellation of the Southern Cross; the upper third depicts a beach and a coconut palm. The shield is surmounted by a cross with rays radiating from its centre, and is superimposed on two concentric circles representing the world, and an olive branch wreath - as in the United Nations Badge. On a ribbon below, the motto FA'AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA, meaning "God be the Foundation of Samoa".
Around above, the name of the country and the date of issue: SAMOA 2022. The precious metal content 0.5 g Au .9999 is inscribed on two lines around below left; it means "half gram of 99.99% gold" - Au is abbreviated from Aurum, the Latin word for gold. Around below right, the face value $50 TALA. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design shows at its centre a viking warrior raising his sword from the prow of a longship in stormy seas; in the background, another warrior with a battle axe and wooden shield.
Around above, the date of issue 2022.
Below, surrounded by two dragon figureheads, the inscription THE VIKINGS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
2022 THE VIKINGS |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Gold Content (troy oz): 0.016
Finish: proof. |
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| Included in Set |
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The Vikings Collection, mintage unknown, limited to 7,500
13 coins: 0.5 Gold The Vikings, Arts and Crafts, A Viking Village, Erik the Red, Leif Eriksson, Longship, Odin, Ship Burial, The Art of War, The Thing, Trading Post - Hedeby, Valhalla, Yggdrasill
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