The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2001, Side 10

136
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 56 #3
Bjarnason, added his thoughtful com-
ments.
“For hundreds of years we Icelanders
have been aware of that incredible voyage
of exploration and discovery by Leif
Ericson. He was actually born in Iceland
and grew up in Greenland,” Bjarnason
points out. “His birthplace in Iceland is an
important national site and his home in
Greenland has been made into a major
international landmark this summer.
“It is especially significant that this
Icelandic Leif Ericson Commemorative
Coin and the U. S. Leif Ericson Silver
Dollar Commemorative coin be issued in
this Millennium Year. Together we cele-
brate that remarkable voyage of explo-
ration that led to the discovery of North
America 1000 years ago,” Bjarnason says.
The two beautifully detailed coins,
designed respectively by the United States
and the Republic of Iceland, are minted by
the United States Mint. Both coins are legal
tender and are struck from 26.73 grams of
90 percent silver. They come packaged in a
handsome satin-lined presentation case
with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The coins may be purchased either in a
two-coin proof set or separately: United
States Proof Silver, United States
Uncirculated Silver, or Iceland Proof
Silver.
The United States Proof Silver and
Uncirculated Silver coins display an heroic
portrait of the intrepid explorer, Leif
Ericson, on the obverse, the “heads” side,
designed by Mint engraver/sculptor John
Mercanti, and a depiction of his Viking
ship under full sail on the reverse, the
“tails” side, designed by Mint
engraver/sculptor James Ferrell.
The Icelandic Proof Silver coin's
obverse side features an image of Stirling
Calder's famous sculpture of Leif Ericson,
presented to Iceland by the United States in
1930 to commemorate the millennium of
the Althingi, the Icelandic Parliament. That
original statue is now located in front of
Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik,
Iceland.
The reverse of the coin depicts the
eagle, the dragon, the bull and the giant
from the Icelandic Coat of Arms. The
designer of the coin is Icelandic artist
Throstur Magnusson.
U. S. Congressman Martin Olav Sabo
from Minnesota was one of the leading fig-
ures in achieving the minting of the Leif
Ericson Commemorative Coin.
"The Leif Ericson Millennium
Commemorative Coin Act, (H.R. 31)
called for the creation of silver coins in
commemoration of the 1000-year anniver-
sary of Leif Ericson's discovery of the New
World. Proceeds from the coins will bene-
fit student exchanges between the U. S. and
Iceland," Congressman Sabo explained.
"Many people do not know that Leif
Oun
3

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