Iceland, Althing Millennial 2 Kronur

November 2024

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1000 Year Althing Medallic Commemorative. This series of 3 (2, 5, 10 Kronur) were struck by the Saxon State Mint in Dresden Germany. The four symbols of Iceland are the sea eagle (article below says vulture), dragon, bull and giant, the so-called protectors of the land who according to legend protected Iceland from invasion by Danish King Harald Blatand. The four traditional protector spirits ("Landvættir") of Iceland. These are Griðungur the bull, Gammur the eagle, Dreki the dragon, and Bergrisi the giant. The original settling of Iceland was by southern Norwegian Norse, Scottish and Irish Celts fleeing the tyranny of Norwegian King Harald Fairhair.
Denominations are imprinted on the edge. Moneta considers the 2 Kr. piece to be one of the most beautiful coins of the modern era. 20K struck. Obverse designer [BB] Balvin Bjornsson; reverse [TM] Tryggvi Magnusson. The translation of the runes is "THE ALTHING WAS FOUNDED NINE HUNDRED AND THIRTY, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY".
For a great background on this series, including detailed description of all features depicted on these coins see the Nov 2017 issue of ANA's "Numismatist" > [ link ]