ABOUT THE COINS:

In an historic first, Public Law 106-126, authorizes the United States Mint to produce coins in conjunction with the minting of coins by the U.S. Mint on behalf of the Republic of Iceland-in commemoration of the millennium of the discovery of the New World by Leif Ericson.

The Leif Ericson Millennium Commemorative Coin Program consists of a U.S. silver dollar and an Icelandic silver krónur. The U.S. silver dollar in both proof and uncirculated conditions; the Icelandic silver krónur is offered in proof only. The Mint is also issuing a two-coin set which contains both the U.S. proof and the Icelandic proof coins. The mintage for the U.S. coins is limited to 500,000 (all options), and the Icelandic coin is limited to 150,000 coins.

The U.S. coin is legal tender of the United States and has a face value of one-dollar. The Icelandic coin is legal tender of Iceland with a face value of 1000 krónur. Metal composition of the coins is 90% silver and 10% alloy; diameter is 1.500 inches (±0.003), and the weight is 26.73 grams.

The obverse of the U. S. coin is a portrait rendered in the style of the coin issued by Iceland. The reverse is a Viking ship coming forward to the New World with Leif Ericson at the helm. This coin was designed by two sculptors/engravers of the U.S. Mint. John Mercanti designed the obverse, and James Ferrell designed the reverse. The designs of the coin are emblematic of the millennium of the discovery of the New World by Leif Ericson.

The obverse of the Icelandic coin is an artist's interpretation of the statue of Leifur Eiríksson made by the sculptor Stirling Calder and presented to the Icelandic nation in 1930 by the United States Congress on the occasion of the 1000 year anniversary of the Icelandic Parliament. The reverse is a stylized drawing of the Icelandic Coat of Arms representing the four guardians of Iceland, an eagle, a dragon, a giant and a bull, guarding the north, east, south, and west of Iceland. The designer behind the Iceland coin is Thröstur Magnússon. He studied at the Icelandic School of Arts and Crafts and continued his studies at the Gothenburg School of Arts and Crafts. He has designed several commemorative coins for the Central Bank of Iceland.

[The Tribute] [About the Coin]

Feb 28, 2001
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