Following on the success that they enjoyed with the Norse Gods series, the Perth Mint has launched the Norse Goddesses High Relief Silver coin series.
2017 Norse Goddesses 2oz Silver Freya Coin Reverse
The first of what is a planned three coin series is dedicated to Freya. In Norse mythology Freya(or Freyja which means “the Lady” in old Norse) was considered the goddess of love, sex, beauty, fertility, battle and death. Certain sources say that Freya was the queen of the Valkyrie, however the source texts(such as the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda or Heimskringla) never explicitly states this.
2017 Norse Goddesses 2oz Silver Freya Coin in Box
The reverse of this impressive coin is steeped in details from Norse Mythology that takes up every part of the design. Freya herself appears on the coin, with her windswept golden hair flowing away from her face to the right. Draped across her shoulders is her magical cloak of falcon feathers, which enabled Freya to fly. In her hand is a heavy broadsword.
Her golden necklace, Brísingamen, which was made for her by four dwarfs and bejewelled with amber – is draped across her chest. The girdle around her waist is a reference to the fact that the three stars that for Orion's sword belt in the Orion constellation was once referred to as Freya's girdle.
2017 Norse Goddesses 2oz Silver Freya Coin Box
At her side is one of Freya's companion animals. The golden boar Hildisvíni. A cat is perched on her right shoulder, as it is said that she rides in a chariot pulled by two cats. In the distance the remnants of a battlefield can be seen. Whether or not you agree that Freya was a Valkyrie or not, it is mentioned in the Prose Edda that Freya welcomes the valiant dead to the hall of the slain in Valhalla.
The obverse in turn depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II, framed within a circle. Around which the legend describes the date and country of issue, the metal content of the coin, denomination and ruler. It reads : “QUEEN ELIZABETH II”, “2oz 9999 SILVER”, “2017”, “TUVALU” and “2 DOLLARS”.
2017 Norse Goddesses 2oz Silver Freya Coin Obverse
This massive silver coin is struck from 2oz of pure .9999 fineness silver. Weighing 62.213 grams and measuring 40.6mm(1.59 inch) in diameter for an impressive 6mm(0.236 inch) thick coin. The coin has a maximum mintage of only 2000 coins, and is shipped in a velvet lined wooden display case with a beautifully engraved lid. A numbered certificate of authenticity also accompanies each coin.
This rimless design is further only enhanced by an antique finish to the high relief strike, serving to accentuate the coin's reverse details especially. The coin is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, with a monetary value of two Tulavu Dollars.
2017 Norse Goddesses 2oz Silver Freya Coin Cover
The coin can be ordered directly from the Perth Mint's website, while stocks last as they say, for AUS$180.91(US$140) each. The coin can be viewed on the Perth Mint's website here :
