When the US Mint struck a 1000 Krónur for Iceland as part of joint US-Republic of Iceland coin issue to mark the 1000th anniversary of Leif Ericsson landing in North America, I immediately wondered if Iceland made its commemorative coin available at home - either in standard packaging or something custom.
So, I began searching. But I didn't find anything. A friend took a trip to Iceland - I asked him to see if he could find anything. He did not. I sent emails to local coin clubs in Iceland, but even they didn't turn up any official local issue(s). Eventually, I found the coin folder presented here.
It is a six-panel coin folder that was distributed by The Norwegian Mint Club. Graphically, it incorporates multiple landscape images of Iceland, as well as the national flag of Iceland. The package includes only the Iceland coin, but does make prominent mention that the coin was struck by the US Mint.
As I dug a bit deeper into the folder's background, I learned that The Norwegian Mint Club was a private group that marketed a variety of coins in custom folders/holders to collectors and the general public of the region. I also learned that many "serious" collectors in Iceland looked down upon the Club's issues as being too "commercial."
Me? I had no such misgivings about adding the piece to my collection. I wanted an example of the Iceland coin in Iceland-specific packaging and this piece fit the bill nicely!
Unlike the US companion coin which was available in Proof and Uncirculated, the Iceland coin was struck only as a Proof. The coins were available individually as well as in a two-piece set (one of each country's coin). An interesting note about the Iceland coin is that it was minted per specifications for a US commemorative silver dollar: a diameter of 38.1 mm, a weight of 26.73 grams and using a planchet of 0.900 fine silver. Previous 1000 Krónur coins from Iceland has a diameter of 39.0 mm, a weight of 30.0 grams and made use of a planchet that was 0.925 fine silver. The coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
The maximum mintage for Iceland's coin was set at 150,000 by the Central Bank of Iceland. Final sales totaled 102,083. I haven't seen a published production figure for the coin folder, but I would guess 3,000 units. I arrived at this figure based on the US Mint Report which listed that 3,000 of the coins were sold separate from the Mint-packaged coins. It seems plausible that they were a bulk purchase of coins that were meant to be re-packaged.
From the US Mint Press Release about the coins:
"The Leif Ericson Silver 1000 Kronur, designed by Icelander Throstur Magnusson, shows an interpretation of the Stirling Calder statue of Leif Ericson on the obverse. The statue was given to the Icelandic government in 1930 by the United States to commemorate the millennium of the Iceland parliament.
The reverse of the coin shows a stylized drawing of the Icelandic Coat of Arms, representing the country's four guardians: the eagle, the dragon, the bull and a giant. The guardians stand watch over the north, west, east, and south of Iceland."
And now for the coin folder...
2000 Iceland 1000 Krónur - Mint Club Folder - Front Cover
The text on the Front Cover translates to:Official Jubilee Coin
From Iceland
Discovery of America 1,000 Years2000 Iceland 1000 Krónur - Mint Club Folder - Inside Front Cover
The text on the Inside Front Cover translates to:Jubilee Coin from Iceland
In the year 1000, the Norwegian-Icelandic viking Leif Eriksson became the first European to land on American soil, on the lush coast he named Vinland. .A thousand years later, in 2000, Iceland issued a commemorative coin to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of his discovery of America. The anniversary coin is minted in real silver and in top proof quality. It is very rare that a mint such as the United States Mint, mints foreign coins. The minting of this commemorative coin on behalf of Iceland, is hereby an official American tribute and recognition of Leif Eriksson's remarkable achievement.2000 Iceland 1000 Krónur - Mint Club Folder - Inside Back Cover
2000 Iceland 1000 Krónur - Mint Club Folder - Inside Flap - Front
2000 Iceland 1000 Krónur - Mint Club Folder - Inside Flap - Back
2000 Iceland 1000 Krónur - Mint Club Folder - Back Cover
The specifications text on the Back Cover translates to:Guarantee
Issuing Country
Year of Issue
Face Value
Metal
Quality
Weight
Diameter
Circulation (i.e., Mintage)For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including others about the modern US commemorative coin series, see: Commems Collection.
Posted 05/28/2024 4:11 pm
