Whitman Expo
1925 Norse American Medal MS Thin Values
Details
This non-monetized silver medal is one of the most popular medallic pieces issued by the Philadelphia Mint. The piece, honoring the 100th anniversary of the landing of the Norwegian ship Restauration, was originally intended to be a commemorative half dollar honoring the many Norwegian settlers the ship brought to America. However, the effort to approve a commemorative half dollar to that effect was quickly upended in Congress as several other commemorative coins were authorized and issued that year.
The coin’s champion, Minnesota Congressman Ole J. Kvale, instead opted for a medal, which was more likely to gain Congressional approval. Upon its striking, some 33,750 of the octagonal silver medals were struck on thick planchets, whereas only 6,000 were produced on thin planchets, making the latter the far scarcer type.
Obverse: Viking warrior in horned helmet with sword and shield advances from dragon ship, inscription NORSE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL above, dated 1825 - 1925 in the field.
Reverse: Dragon ship sailing right under four-line inscription, AUTHORIZED BY / CONGRESS OF THE / UNITED STATES / OF AMERICA with date of Leif Erikson's discovery below, A.D. 1000.
Source: Stack's Bowers
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
Silver
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Norse American
Variety 2:
Thin
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Octagonal
Design Details
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
NORSE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL, 1825 - 1925
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering:
AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A.D. 1000.
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Feedback:
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