The Norse Medal

dan1ecu

Greetings, All -

Would you consider the Norse Commemorative to be a "medal" or a "coin?" PCGS does slab them, unlike other so-called dollars.

Other classic commemoratives have the denomination on the coin (that's what makes them "coins," correct?). The Norse medal doesn't. Does it belong in a commemorative collection?

Norse Medal - PCGS MS65

Dan

MFH

Although not a coin, it was proposed originally as a coin to commemorate the Norse landing in North America. Congress saw fit to have a medal struck instead. This medal was included in most commemorative coin sets years ago; NGC lists the Thick & Thin versions in their registry site, but with a "display value" of just one point.

Really liked the Thick version on your Heritage link.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Other classic commemoratives have the denomination on the coin (that's what makes them "coins," correct?). >>



Correct. Mostly. Gotta be legal tender to be a coin. And not just the denomination makes a coin a coin, either- a lot of tokens have monetary denominations ("Good For 5 Cents", etc.). It's gotta be a government issued piece with a denomination. Something you could theoretically go out and spend, anywhere in the country.

grayroads

While I admire the work of James Earle Fraser and I do have Norse in my collection, I must say that it's a metad not a coin.

Shamika

These things are very cool!

eureka

This one looks pretty nice. Most you see have lackluster surfaces.

291fifth

The "thick" and "thin" are strictly medals. Someone did a very good promotional job on these many years ago. The designs were also used on several larger versions of the medal.

keets

hey Dan

i've been on the trail of a Norse for at least a year now. not that i'm a slow study or anything, but finding one that i want is the trick. i'd prefer an all white example with a nice frosty appearance or else one that's attractively toned. either of those is a rare animal. with the thin medal, i've noticed that any graded below MS64 tend to not be fully struck on all the corners leaving a somewhat rounded appearance if you look close.

speaking of So-Called $'s, there's an issue from around 1909 called a Brian Boru SC$ that has a nicely done similar design. they're quite rare so if you ever see one for a reasonable price, you might wanna snatch it up.

al h.

braddick

I know I featured this in another Thread, but I thought Keets might appreciate this one, should he have missed it:

eureka

That Brian Boru so-called dollar is awesome. This one's been for sale on this website for over a year. Too expensive IMO but it's the only one I've seen.

lordmarcovan

Ooh, I like that!

Askari

Hmmm ... it sure is getting pretty dark over here!

MFH

I have always wondered why the Norse became so popular a few decades ago, then fell out of favor with the commem collectors as a whole. They really are neat looking. I especially like the gold version ( don't own a gold one, but sure like the look of it ) .

I mentioned previously that I was able to find a Thin version in an NGC 65 holder . Its blast white, sharp rims and strongly struck. My Thick version is not quite as lusterous as the one shown in the link, but its basically white and also resides in a PCGS 65 holder.

grayroads

It is not a coin. While I like the design and collect the art of James E. Fraser, those who want to call it a coin are in error.

keets

hey grayroads

i think we got that the first time down the tracks!!

al h.