| Coin | Silver Half Ounce 2022 Vikings - Leif Eriksson |
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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 popular silver half ounce (1/2 oz silver) format, such as this one.
This coin is part of a twelve-coin series by MDM dedicated to the Ancient Vikings, and features Leif Eriksson.
Leif Erikson, Leiv Eiriksson, or Leif Ericson, also known as Leif the Lucky (c. 970 - c. 1019 to 1025), was a Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to have set foot on continental North America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. According to the sagas of Icelanders, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, which is usually interpreted as being coastal North America. There is ongoing speculation that the settlement made by Leif and his crew corresponds to the remains of a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, called L'Anse aux Meadows, which was occupied more than 1,000 years ago (carbon dating estimates 990 - 1050 CE).
Leif was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlement in Greenland, and Thjodhild (Þjóðhildur) of Iceland. His place of birth is not known, but he is assumed to have been born in Iceland, which had recently been colonised by Norsemen mainly from Norway. |
| 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. In small letters 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. Around below, divided by the Coat of Arms, the precious metal content: 1/2 oz Ag 999 (one half of a troy ounce of 99.9% silver). |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin depicts an artist's impression of viking explorer Leif Eriksson on board of a longship, with wooden shield hanging over its side.
The face value of the coin, $1 (one tala, or one dollar) is in the upper right field.
Around above along the rim, the name of the coin series: THE VIKINGS; around below, the name of the coin: LEIF ERIKSSON. The rest of the rim is decorated with a geometric pattern. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
THE VIKINGS $1 LEIF ERIKSSON |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: antique.
Packaging: in protective capsule and blister card. |
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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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