912) Irish Myths and Legends: 1) The Children of Lir; 2) Cu Chulainn, 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge 4) Werewolves of Ossory, 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and 6) Deirdre of the Sorrows : An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018):
The 2018 Annual Mint coins from the Central Bank of Ireland celebrate the much loved and captivating Irish Folk Tales, Myths and Legends that the people of Ireland have collected and cherished throughout their history. Some of medieval Ireland's most iconic fabled characters have been brought to life with this coin set.
The specially designed presentation of the 8 circulating coin set has taken inspiration from some of Ireland's most captivating legends including - the Children of Lir, Cu Chulainn, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the Salmon of Knowledge, the Brown Bull of Cooley and Diedre of the Sorrows.
Central to the design of the 2018 mint set is a silhouette effect featuring the characters and stories from six of Ireland's most renowned folklore tales.
The banner/header giving information about this coin set
Three legends feature on the outer case of the presentation wallet including - the tragic children of Lir, the omniscient Salmon of knowledge and perhaps Ireland's most well known mythical hero - Cu Chulainn.
The inside of the slipcase features the Brown Bull of Cooley, the Werewolves of Ossory, as well as Deirdre of the Sorrows. The set contained coins from 1 Cent to 2 Euros all dated 2018 and sealed within the wallet for protection. The issue date for this set was 30.04.2018 and its mintage limit was 6,000 sets.
The Children of Lir:
Central to the design of the 2018 mint set is a silhouette effect featuring the characters and stories from six of Ireland's most renowned folklore tales.
The Children of Lir:
This is an old Irish myth that goes back to the times of the ancient tribes of Ireland.
The children of Lir represented as swans in a fountain
King Lir was a ruler of the Sea. He had a beautiful wife - Eva - who bore him four children - Eldest son, Aodh, a daughter Fionnuala and twin boys - Fiachra and Conn.
When the children were young, their mother passed away. Lir and his four children were heart-broken when they hear the news of their mother, King Lir's wife passing away.
After some time, the King wanted a new mother for his children and married his wife's sister - Aoife - to help him get over his wife's loss. Aoife at first loved the children, but soon became jealous of the time that Lir was spending with them and wanted all his attention to herself.
One day, she took the children for a swim in the lake, where she used her magical powers to transform the children into swans for a period of 900 years - 300 years on Lake Derravaragh, 300 years on the Straits of Moyle and 300 years on the Isle of Inish Glora. The children although in the shape of swans, still have their voices and are liked by those who hear them sing.
When the children were young, their mother passed away. Lir and his four children were heart-broken when they hear the news of their mother, King Lir's wife passing away.
After some time, the King wanted a new mother for his children and married his wife's sister - Aoife - to help him get over his wife's loss. Aoife at first loved the children, but soon became jealous of the time that Lir was spending with them and wanted all his attention to herself.
One day, she took the children for a swim in the lake, where she used her magical powers to transform the children into swans for a period of 900 years - 300 years on Lake Derravaragh, 300 years on the Straits of Moyle and 300 years on the Isle of Inish Glora. The children although in the shape of swans, still have their voices and are liked by those who hear them sing.
Of the several versions to this legend, one variation to this legend is that King Lir who had been searching for his children came down to the lake and saw Fionnuala, now a swan, who told him of the spell cast on them by Aiofe. On hearing of their ordeal, King Lir banishes Aoife from the kingdom.
Although saddened by his children's fate, Lir remained a good father and spent his days by the lake listening to their singing. Their 300 years on Lake Derravaragh were filled with joy, but at the end of the first part of the spell, the children had to say goodbye to their father forever. They travelled to the Straits of Moyle, where they spent the next 300 years enduring fierce storms and spent much time separated from one another. Eventually, they survived these 300 years and travelled to a small saltwater lake on the Isle of Inish Glora for the final part of their spell.
The King had now passed away and his once glorious castle was in ruins. One day they children heard the distant ringing of a bell at a prayer hall. They followed the bell sounds, knowing that the end of their spell was near and reached the house of a holy man called Caomhog, who cared for them for the last years of their fate.
One day the King of Connaught came to take with him the legendary swans with beautiful singing voices and threatened to burn Caomhog's house, if the swans did not come with him. Just as he was laying his hands on the swans, the bell tolled again and a mist arose from the lake, enveloping them and turning them back into the children they were 900 years ago. The frightened King of Connaught fled in fright to see this transformation.
Meanwhile, the children began to age rapidly and Caomhog prayed for their eternal rest, before their human bodies passed away and their legend still lives on today.
Although saddened by his children's fate, Lir remained a good father and spent his days by the lake listening to their singing. Their 300 years on Lake Derravaragh were filled with joy, but at the end of the first part of the spell, the children had to say goodbye to their father forever. They travelled to the Straits of Moyle, where they spent the next 300 years enduring fierce storms and spent much time separated from one another. Eventually, they survived these 300 years and travelled to a small saltwater lake on the Isle of Inish Glora for the final part of their spell.
The King had now passed away and his once glorious castle was in ruins. One day they children heard the distant ringing of a bell at a prayer hall. They followed the bell sounds, knowing that the end of their spell was near and reached the house of a holy man called Caomhog, who cared for them for the last years of their fate.
One day the King of Connaught came to take with him the legendary swans with beautiful singing voices and threatened to burn Caomhog's house, if the swans did not come with him. Just as he was laying his hands on the swans, the bell tolled again and a mist arose from the lake, enveloping them and turning them back into the children they were 900 years ago. The frightened King of Connaught fled in fright to see this transformation.
Meanwhile, the children began to age rapidly and Caomhog prayed for their eternal rest, before their human bodies passed away and their legend still lives on today.
2) Cu Chulainn:
He is an ancient Gaelic warrior fabled for his possessing super-human strength, speed and skill. He appears in the stories of the "Ulster Cycle" and in Scottish and Manx folklore.
His original name is "Setanta" and his parents were Dechtine and the Irish God Lugh. He is better known as "Cu Chulain", after killing Culann's fierce guard dog in self defence and offered to take its place until a replacement could be reared.
His original name is "Setanta" and his parents were Dechtine and the Irish God Lugh. He is better known as "Cu Chulain", after killing Culann's fierce guard dog in self defence and offered to take its place until a replacement could be reared.
At the age of five, Setanta left home to join the Red Branch Knights - the army of his uncle King Conchobar Mac Nessa. Setanta could outrun and outplay anyone on the hurling field and could throw a javelin, spear and ball and catch them before they fell , all in the same action. Instructed in all military exercises and accomplishments, including reading the Ogam", no man could be admitted into the "Fiann" (the knights),unless he had also become a bard and had mastered the 12 books of Poetry, a ll of which he was well conversant with.
At the age of 17, he defended Ulster single-handedly against the armies of Queen Medb of Connaught in the famous "Tain Bo Cuailgne" ("Cattle Raid of Cooley"). It was prophesized that his great deeds would give him ever-lasting fame, but his life would be a short one.
He is known for his terrifying battle frenzy or "riastrad" ("warp spasm" or "torque") in which he becomes an unrecognisable monster who knows neither friend or foe. He fights from his chariot driven by his loyal charioteer Laeg, drawn by his horses - Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend.
At the age of 17, he defended Ulster single-handedly against the armies of Queen Medb of Connaught in the famous "Tain Bo Cuailgne" ("Cattle Raid of Cooley"). It was prophesized that his great deeds would give him ever-lasting fame, but his life would be a short one.
He is known for his terrifying battle frenzy or "riastrad" ("warp spasm" or "torque") in which he becomes an unrecognisable monster who knows neither friend or foe. He fights from his chariot driven by his loyal charioteer Laeg, drawn by his horses - Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend.
There are several legends about him, many of which are still narrated in schools and at homes across Ireland. Louth is known as Cu Chulainn country because he had grown there and most of his exploits happened here.
3) Omniscient Salmon of knowledge:
This story has its origins in the longest river in Britain or Ireland - the Shannon, attributed to the Goddess of the River - "Sinann".
The Salmon of Knowledge (or "bradan feasa" in Irish) is a creature figuring in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. It is sometimes identified with Fintan mac Bochra, who was known as "The bushman" and was once transformed into a salmon. The more popular legend is the one detailed hereunder:
Sinead, the daughter of Lodan Lucharglan, son of Ler, out of Tir Tairngire (meaning "Land of Promise, Fairyland") went to Connla's Well which was under the sea to behold it. That is the well at which are found hazelnuts and inspirations of wisdom, that is the hazels of science of poetry and when the fruit falls into the well, the water gives out a surge of purple. Then the salmon chew the fruit and the juice of the nuts is apparent on their purple bellies. Eating the fruit, seven streams of wisdom spring forth and turn there again.
When Sinead went there to seek inspiration, for she wanted nothing save only wisdom, she went with the stream till she reached Linn Mnu Feile ("The pool of the Modest Woman"), that is the Bri Ele - and she went ahead on her journey, but the well left its place and she followed it to the banks of the River Tarr-cain ("Fair Back"). She somehow managed to eat nine hazelnuts that fell into the well of wisdom from the nine hazel trees that surrounded the well. By this act, the salmon gained all the world's knowledge.
After this the well overwhelmed her so that her back (Tarr) went upwards and when she had come to the land on this side of the Shannon, a long time later, she tasted death when the poet Finegas caught the Salmon for Fionn to eat it and gain the knowledge acquired by the salmon. However, while cooking it, Fionn burnt his finger on a drop of hot cooking fish fat. He sucked his burnt thumb to ease the pain and in the process, acquired the salmon's knowledge of the world.
The Salmon of Wisdom thus became associated with the Irish hero Fionn Mac Cumhail, whose shamanic career began in childhood. He is not another Celtic hero hacking his way through his enemies, but an efficient warrior, urbane, cultured and cunning. He gains his knowledge by a variety of means, his thumb having been burned by the Salmon of Knowledge and forever afterwards, he has only to suck his thumb in order to understand anything and clearly determine the way forward.
The deep knowledge and wisdom gained from the salmon of Knowledge, allowed Fionn to become the leader of the Fianna, the famed heroes of Irish myth.
Some versions of the storyline differ on whether the Salmon of Knowledge was a common fost or one of the immortals that could be eaten and yet continue to live in perpetuity.
4) The Werewolves of Ossory:
The legendary Werewolves of Ossory, a kingdom of early medieval Ireland were the descendants of a legendary figure named Laignech Faelad whose lineage gave rise to the Kings of Ossory. The legends may have their origins in the activities of warriors in ancient Ireland who were frequently compared to wolves and who may have adopted lupine hair-styles or worn wolf-skins while they carried out raids.
Wolves though now extinct in Ireland, were found in plenty in Ireland. The Irish were plagued by wolves, bred a special type of dog the Irish Wolfhound to hunt them down.
In Irish mythology/literature, wolves were closely linked with the practices of the fianna (warrior bands of landless young men) who lived for much of their time in the wilderness and were thought of as living in close proximity to supernatural forces. The warriors were associated with wolves and invoked a combination of ferocity, frenzied behaviour, unpredictable and savage animal behaviour, sexual potency and martial prowess. The warriors were often depicted with canine attributes and shared a common motif of a wild, dishevelled or naked appearance. They were portrayed as wolves, hunting both animals and humans and were called the wolf-warriors or "luchthonn" (meaning "wolf skins"). These stories over a period of time gave rise to Irish legends of werewolves.
It is written in the medieval Irish work of "Coir Anmann" ("Fitness of Names") that a legendary warrior-werewolf named Laignech Faelad was an ancestor of a tribe of werewolves who were related to the Kings of Ossory in Eastern Ireland, which covered most of present-day County Kilkenny and County Laois in the 12th Century AD and who ruled here until they were deposed by the Norman invasion. He was believed to be the brother of Feradach mac Duagh, the then King of Ossory.
Other Irish accounts of Irish werewolves similar to the description above appearing the 11th Century poem "De Mirabilibus Hibernie" ("On The Marvels of Ireland"), the Middle Irish "De Ingantaib Erenn" ("On the Wonders of Ireland") and the 13th Century poem "De mominibus qui se vertunt in lupos" ("Men who change Themselves into Wolves") and "Historia Britonum" ( "History of the Britons"). Over time, the general legends talked of men who were able to transform themselves into wolves, leaving their human bodies behind. Injuries sustained in lupine form get reflected on the human bodies.
"De Ingantaib Erenn" however, describes the werewolves of Ossory as being humans who were cursed as a divine punishment for wickedness. The werewolves were not permanently transformed, as they took either the form of a wolf every seventh winter or were transformed into a wolf for a period of seven-years, following which they never transformed again.
The following legend has its origins in the 12th Century "Topographia Hibernica" ("Geography of Ireland"), by Gerald of Wales (early 12th Century AD), in which an anonymous priest meets a wolf in the woods who narrates his story mentioning that there were two of them - a man and a woman - both natives of Ossory, who through the curse of one Natalis are compelled every seven years to put off the human form and take wolf forms and that his partner is now very sick and about to die. The priest gives the female wolf communion and performs the last rites on her. The male wolf then leads him out of the forest giving him several prophesies about the future of Ireland and its English invaders.
The above story is not very convincing as Christianity was around this time growing roots in Ireland and may have been a "concocted" one to convert people into Christianity and seek their salvation, as this is the only version where a werewolf "talks" and where it has been "Christianised".
5) The Brown Bull of Cooley:
"Tain Bo Cuailgne" ("Cattle Raid of Cooley") is a part of the Ulster Cycle of mythological stories known as the "Ruraiocht". Much of the story is based in the Cooley peninsula, which is a mountainous area, near Carlingford in County Louth. According to the legend, it was the home to the Bull called "Donn Cualaigne"(or "The Brown Bull of Cooley")
is the Brown Bull was owned by Daire Mac Fiachna. This bull was the object of Queen Maeve (or Medb), the Queen of Connaught's envy. This story centres round Queen Maeve and her husband Ailill's plans to steal Donn Cuailnge from Ulster. Ailill owned a fierce white bull famously called the "White Bull of Connaught" The story revolves around emotion, jealousy, anger, love, pride and revenge and pits Ch Chulain against his best friend Ferdia.
Ailill was boasting about his mighty bull, when Queen Maeve asked one of her kinghts if there was another bull like the white bull in Ireland. From him, she learnt of the Brown Bull of Cooley in Ulster.
Queen Maeve was jealous of her husband's white bull and wanted to possess an equally fierce bull. She set her eyes on the "Brown Bull of Cooley". She sent a messenger to its owner to lend the Brown Bull to Queen Maeve for a period of one year, which request was promptly refused by its owner. The messenger then threatened him that if the Bull was not given willingly, Queen Maeve would take it away by force. Once again its owner refused.
Maeve was besides herself with rage and mustered her army to invade Ulster and capture the Brown Bull by force.
At that time, the Red Branch Knights, whom Cu Chulainn belonged to were under a spell and could not offer resistance, but the Irish Hero Cu Chulainn was a member of the fairy -like tribe of Tuatha De Danann and was not under the spell. One by one Maeve's army went to offer single combat as Cu Chulainn had etched/carved on an Ogam log and everyone of them was slain. Once four scouts went all together to attack Cu Chulain, but they were all beheaded by him & their heads placed on a four pronged wooden fork as a warning to others.
Finally, Cu Chulain's friend Ferdia was the only combatant left. They fought for three days and at the end of each day, they hugged each other and wept. Ultimately Ferdia too was slain and Cu Chulain went back to the Red Branch Knights heart-broken.
Meanwhile Maeve surreptitiously stole the Brown Bull of Cooley even though she had been defeated and she went home delighted.
When she went home, the bulls hada huge fight when they saw each other. Maeve thought that the sound of their bellowing and pounding was thunder coming towards her castle. The bulls became friends for some time, but they fought again. In the fighting, the Brown Bull killed the White Bull and headed Home for Ulster.
Enraged by this turn of events, Maeve now sent an expedition led by her sons the Maines to kill the brown bull. Then, Fergus countered them that if they would not let the Brown Bull go to his own country in safety, he would personally kill them all.
Then the Brown Bull bellowed three times and set on his way. When he came to the great ford of the Sionnan, he stopped to drink and this is where two loins of the White-Bull which were attached to his horns fell from his horns into the water. This place is called "Ath-luain" ("The ford of the loin"). The liver of the White Bull fell into a river of Meath which place is now called "Ath-Truim" ("The ford of the liver") even at present.
Then the Brown Bull went on till he came to the top of Slieve Breagh and when he looked from it he saw his own home, the hills of Cuailgne and at the sight of his wwn country, a great spirit rose up in him and madness and fury came on him and he rushed on killing everyone that came in his way. When he got to his own place. he turned his back to a hill and gave out a loud bellowing of victory. With this cry of joy, his heart broke in his body and he died.
6) Deirdre of the Sorrows:
Dierdre is the foremost tragic heroine in Irish legend and its best known figure in modern day.
Her story is part of the Ulster Cycle, which constitute the best-known stories of Ireland.
Deirdre was the daughter of the royal story-teller Fedlimid mac Daill. Before her birth, Cathbad, the chief Druid at the court of Conchobar mac Nessa, King of Ulster had prophesized that Fedlimid's daughter would grow up to be very beautiful and that kings and lords would go to war over her, much blood would be shed because of her and Ulster's three greatest warriors would be sent into exile for her sake.
Hearing these prophesies, many persons urged Fedlimid to kill the baby at birth, but Conchobar, curious to know how the prophesy would pan out, took away the child from her family.
Deirdre was brought up in seclusion by Leabharcham - a poet and wise woman - as Conchobar had planned to marry Deirdre himself when she grew up.
As a young girl, Deirdre living in isolation told Leabharcham on a snowy day, that she would love a man with the colours she had seen when a raven landed in the snow with its prey - hair the colour of the raven, skin as white as snow and cheeks as red as blood.
Leabharcham told her she was describing Naoise - a habdsome young warrior, hunter and singer at Conchobar's court. With the collusion of Leabharcham, Deirdre met Naoise and they fell in love. Accompanied by his brothers Ardan and Ainnie, the three sons of Uisneach, Deirdre fled to Scotland.
In Scotland, they lived a happy life - hunting, fishing and living in beautiful places. One version of the story mentions that Deirdre and Naoise had children - a son Gaiar and a daughter Aebgreine who was fostered by Manannan Mac Lir (A sea god in Irish mythology affiliated with both the Tuatha De Danann and the Formonians).
Meanwhile, the furious Cochobar tracked them down and sent Fergus mac Roich (formerly the King of Ulster, but tricked out of kingship and betrayed by Conchobar and had become an ally and lover of Conchobar's enemy queen Medb of Connaught and had joined her expedition against Ulster) to them with an invitation to return and Fergus's own promise of safe return.
Deirdre and the sons of Uisnech return to Emain Macha (an ancient ceremonial monument near Armagh, Northern Ireland). When they arrived, Conchobar sent Leabharcham to spy on Deirdre to see if she had lost her beauty. Leabhercham, to protect Deirdre, told the King that Deirdre was now ugly and aged. Conchobar then sent another spy - Geilbann, who managed to catch a glimpse of Deirdre , but was seen by Naoise, who threw a gold chess piece at him and put out his eye.
The spy managed to get back to Conchobar and told him that Deirdre was as beautiful as ever. Conchobar called his warriors to attack the Red Branch house where Deirdre and the sons of Uisnech were staying. Naoise and his brothers fought valiantly, aided by a few Red Branch Knights, before Conchobar evoked their oath of loyalty to him and had Dierdre dragged to his side. At this point, Eogan mac Durthacht threw a spear, killing Naoise and his brothers were killed shortly thereafter.
Fergus and his men arrived after the battle. Fergus was outraged by this betrayal of his word and went into exile in Connacht and later fought against Ulster for Ailill and Medb in the war of Tain Bo Cuailnge (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), the Irish Iliad.
After the death of Naoise, Conchobar took Deirdre as his wife. After a year, angered by Deirdre's continued coldness towards him, Conchobar asked her whom in the world she hated most, besides himself, she replied "Eogan mac Durthhart", the man who had murdered Naoise.
Conchobar said he would give her to Eogan. As she was being taken to Eogan, Conchobar taunted her saying that "she looked like an ewe between two rams". On hearing this, Deirdre threw herself from the chariot dashing her head to pieces against a rock.
Deirdre of the Sorrows is also, a three-act play written by the Irish playwright John Millington Synge, first performed at the Abbey theatre by the Irish National Theatre Society in 1910. The play is based on the chief myths about Deirdre, Naoise and Conchobar. The work was unfinished at the author's death in 1909, but was completed by William Butler Yeats and Synge's fiancée Molly Aligood.
The set contained coins from 1 cent to 2 Euros all dated 2018 and sealed within the wallet for protection. The issue date for this set was 30.04.2018 and the mintage limit was 6,000 pieces.
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Omniscient Salmon of knowledge:
This story has its origins in the longest river in Britain or Ireland - the Shannon, attributed to the Goddess of the River - "Sinann".
The Salmon of Knowledge (or "bradan feasa" in Irish) is a creature figuring in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. It is sometimes identified with Fintan mac Bochra, who was known as "The bushman" and was once transformed into a salmon. The more popular legend is the one detailed hereunder:
Sinead, the daughter of Lodan Lucharglan, son of Ler, out of Tir Tairngire (meaning "Land of Promise, Fairyland") went to Connla's Well which was under the sea to behold it. That is the well at which are found hazelnuts and inspirations of wisdom, that is the hazels of science of poetry and when the fruit falls into the well, the water gives out a surge of purple. Then the salmon chew the fruit and the juice of the nuts is apparent on their purple bellies. Eating the fruit, seven streams of wisdom spring forth and turn there again.
When Sinead went there to seek inspiration, for she wanted nothing save only wisdom, she went with the stream till she reached Linn Mnu Feile ("The pool of the Modest Woman"), that is the Bri Ele - and she went ahead on her journey, but the well left its place and she followed it to the banks of the River Tarr-cain ("Fair Back"). She somehow managed to eat nine hazelnuts that fell into the well of wisdom from the nine hazel trees that surrounded the well. By this act, the salmon gained all the world's knowledge.
After this the well overwhelmed her so that her back (Tarr) went upwards and when she had come to the land on this side of the Shannon, a long time later, she tasted death when the poet Finegas caught the Salmon for Fionn to eat it and gain the knowledge acquired by the salmon. However, while cooking it, Fionn burnt his finger on a drop of hot cooking fish fat. He sucked his burnt thumb to ease the pain and in the process, acquired the salmon's knowledge of the world.
The Salmon of Wisdom thus became associated with the Irish hero Fionn Mac Cumhail, whose shamanic career began in childhood. He is not another Celtic hero hacking his way through his enemies, but an efficient warrior, urbane, cultured and cunning. He gains his knowledge by a variety of means, his thumb having been burned by the Salmon of Knowledge and forever afterwards, he has only to suck his thumb in order to understand anything and clearly determine the way forward.
The deep knowledge and wisdom gained from the salmon of Knowledge, allowed Fionn to become the leader of the Fianna, the famed heroes of Irish myth.
Some versions of the storyline differ on whether the Salmon of Knowledge was a common fost or one of the immortals that could be eaten and yet continue to live in perpetuity.
4) The Werewolves of Ossory:
The legendary Werewolves of Ossory, a kingdom of early medieval Ireland were the descendants of a legendary figure named Laignech Faelad whose lineage gave rise to the Kings of Ossory. The legends may have their origins in the activities of warriors in ancient Ireland who were frequently compared to wolves and who may have adopted lupine hair-styles or worn wolf-skins while they carried out raids.
Wolves though now extinct in Ireland, were found in plenty in Ireland. The Irish were plagued by wolves, bred a special type of dog the Irish Wolfhound to hunt them down.
In Irish mythology/literature, wolves were closely linked with the practices of the fianna (warrior bands of landless young men) who lived for much of their time in the wilderness and were thought of as living in close proximity to supernatural forces. The warriors were associated with wolves and invoked a combination of ferocity, frenzied behaviour, unpredictable and savage animal behaviour, sexual potency and martial prowess. The warriors were often depicted with canine attributes and shared a common motif of a wild, dishevelled or naked appearance. They were portrayed as wolves, hunting both animals and humans and were called the wolf-warriors or "luchthonn" (meaning "wolf skins"). These stories over a period of time gave rise to Irish legends of werewolves.
It is written in the medieval Irish work of "Coir Anmann" ("Fitness of Names") that a legendary warrior-werewolf named Laignech Faelad was an ancestor of a tribe of werewolves who were related to the Kings of Ossory in Eastern Ireland, which covered most of present-day County Kilkenny and County Laois in the 12th Century AD and who ruled here until they were deposed by the Norman invasion. He was believed to be the brother of Feradach mac Duagh, the then King of Ossory.
Other Irish accounts of Irish werewolves similar to the description above appearing the 11th Century poem "De Mirabilibus Hibernie" ("On The Marvels of Ireland"), the Middle Irish "De Ingantaib Erenn" ("On the Wonders of Ireland") and the 13th Century poem "De mominibus qui se vertunt in lupos" ("Men who change Themselves into Wolves") and "Historia Britonum" ( "History of the Britons"). Over time, the general legends talked of men who were able to transform themselves into wolves, leaving their human bodies behind. Injuries sustained in lupine form get reflected on the human bodies.
"De Ingantaib Erenn" however, describes the werewolves of Ossory as being humans who were cursed as a divine punishment for wickedness. The werewolves were not permanently transformed, as they took either the form of a wolf every seventh winter or were transformed into a wolf for a period of seven-years, following which they never transformed again.
The following legend has its origins in the 12th Century "Topographia Hibernica" ("Geography of Ireland"), by Gerald of Wales (early 12th Century AD), in which an anonymous priest meets a wolf in the woods who narrates his story mentioning that there were two of them - a man and a woman - both natives of Ossory, who through the curse of one Natalis are compelled every seven years to put off the human form and take wolf forms and that his partner is now very sick and about to die. The priest gives the female wolf communion and performs the last rites on her. The male wolf then leads him out of the forest giving him several prophesies about the future of Ireland and its English invaders.
The above story is not very convincing as Christianity was around this time growing roots in Ireland and may have been a "concocted" one to convert people into Christianity and seek their salvation, as this is the only version where a werewolf "talks" and where it has been "Christianised".
5) The Brown Bull of Cooley:
"Tain Bo Cuailgne" ("Cattle Raid of Cooley") is a part of the Ulster Cycle of mythological stories known as the "Ruraiocht". Much of the story is based in the Cooley peninsula, which is a mountainous area, near Carlingford in County Louth. According to the legend, it was the home to the Bull called "Donn Cualaigne"(or "The Brown Bull of Cooley")
is the Brown Bull was owned by Daire Mac Fiachna. This bull was the object of Queen Maeve (or Medb), the Queen of Connaught's envy. This story centres round Queen Maeve and her husband Ailill's plans to steal Donn Cuailnge from Ulster. Ailill owned a fierce white bull famously called the "White Bull of Connaught" The story revolves around emotion, jealousy, anger, love, pride and revenge and pits Ch Chulain against his best friend Ferdia.
Ailill was boasting about his mighty bull, when Queen Maeve asked one of her kinghts if there was another bull like the white bull in Ireland. From him, she learnt of the Brown Bull of Cooley in Ulster.
Queen Maeve was jealous of her husband's white bull and wanted to possess an equally fierce bull. She set her eyes on the "Brown Bull of Cooley". She sent a messenger to its owner to lend the Brown Bull to Queen Maeve for a period of one year, which request was promptly refused by its owner. The messenger then threatened him that if the Bull was not given willingly, Queen Maeve would take it away by force. Once again its owner refused.
Maeve was besides herself with rage and mustered her army to invade Ulster and capture the Brown Bull by force.
At that time, the Red Branch Knights, whom Cu Chulainn belonged to were under a spell and could not offer resistance, but the Irish Hero Cu Chulainn was a member of the fairy -like tribe of Tuatha De Danann and was not under the spell. One by one Maeve's army went to offer single combat as Cu Chulainn had etched/carved on an Ogam log and everyone of them was slain. Once four scouts went all together to attack Cu Chulain, but they were all beheaded by him & their heads placed on a four pronged wooden fork as a warning to others.
Finally, Cu Chulain's friend Ferdia was the only combatant left. They fought for three days and at the end of each day, they hugged each other and wept. Ultimately Ferdia too was slain and Cu Chulain went back to the Red Branch Knights heart-broken.
Meanwhile Maeve surreptitiously stole the Brown Bull of Cooley even though she had been defeated and she went home delighted.
When she went home, the bulls hada huge fight when they saw each other. Maeve thought that the sound of their bellowing and pounding was thunder coming towards her castle. The bulls became friends for some time, but they fought again. In the fighting, the Brown Bull killed the White Bull and headed Home for Ulster.
Enraged by this turn of events, Maeve now sent an expedition led by her sons the Maines to kill the brown bull. Then, Fergus countered them that if they would not let the Brown Bull go to his own country in safety, he would personally kill them all.
Then the Brown Bull bellowed three times and set on his way. When he came to the great ford of the Sionnan, he stopped to drink and this is where two loins of the White-Bull which were attached to his horns fell from his horns into the water. This place is called "Ath-luain" ("The ford of the loin"). The liver of the White Bull fell into a river of Meath which place is now called "Ath-Truim" ("The ford of the liver") even at present.
Then the Brown Bull went on till he came to the top of Slieve Breagh and when he looked from it he saw his own home, the hills of Cuailgne and at the sight of his wwn country, a great spirit rose up in him and madness and fury came on him and he rushed on killing everyone that came in his way. When he got to his own place. he turned his back to a hill and gave out a loud bellowing of victory. With this cry of joy, his heart broke in his body and he died.
6) Deirdre of the Sorrows:
Dierdre is the foremost tragic heroine in Irish legend and its best known figure in modern day.
Her story is part of the Ulster Cycle, which constitute the best-known stories of Ireland.
Deirdre was the daughter of the royal story-teller Fedlimid mac Daill. Before her birth, Cathbad, the chief Druid at the court of Conchobar mac Nessa, King of Ulster had prophesized that Fedlimid's daughter would grow up to be very beautiful and that kings and lords would go to war over her, much blood would be shed because of her and Ulster's three greatest warriors would be sent into exile for her sake.
Hearing these prophesies, many persons urged Fedlimid to kill the baby at birth, but Conchobar, curious to know how the prophesy would pan out, took away the child from her family.
Deirdre was brought up in seclusion by Leabharcham - a poet and wise woman - as Conchobar had planned to marry Deirdre himself when she grew up.
As a young girl, Deirdre living in isolation told Leabharcham on a snowy day, that she would love a man with the colours she had seen when a raven landed in the snow with its prey - hair the colour of the raven, skin as white as snow and cheeks as red as blood.
Leabharcham told her she was describing Naoise - a habdsome young warrior, hunter and singer at Conchobar's court. With the collusion of Leabharcham, Deirdre met Naoise and they fell in love. Accompanied by his brothers Ardan and Ainnie, the three sons of Uisneach, Deirdre fled to Scotland.
In Scotland, they lived a happy life - hunting, fishing and living in beautiful places. One version of the story mentions that Deirdre and Naoise had children - a son Gaiar and a daughter Aebgreine who was fostered by Manannan Mac Lir (A sea god in Irish mythology affiliated with both the Tuatha De Danann and the Formonians).
Meanwhile, the furious Cochobar tracked them down and sent Fergus mac Roich (formerly the King of Ulster, but tricked out of kingship and betrayed by Conchobar and had become an ally and lover of Conchobar's enemy queen Medb of Connaught and had joined her expedition against Ulster) to them with an invitation to return and Fergus's own promise of safe return.
Deirdre and the sons of Uisnech return to Emain Macha (an ancient ceremonial monument near Armagh, Northern Ireland). When they arrived, Conchobar sent Leabharcham to spy on Deirdre to see if she had lost her beauty. Leabhercham, to protect Deirdre, told the King that Deirdre was now ugly and aged. Conchobar then sent another spy - Geilbann, who managed to catch a glimpse of Deirdre , but was seen by Naoise, who threw a gold chess piece at him and put out his eye.
The spy managed to get back to Conchobar and told him that Deirdre was as beautiful as ever. Conchobar called his warriors to attack the Red Branch house where Deirdre and the sons of Uisnech were staying. Naoise and his brothers fought valiantly, aided by a few Red Branch Knights, before Conchobar evoked their oath of loyalty to him and had Dierdre dragged to his side. At this point, Eogan mac Durthacht threw a spear, killing Naoise and his brothers were killed shortly thereafter.
Fergus and his men arrived after the battle. Fergus was outraged by this betrayal of his word and went into exile in Connacht and later fought against Ulster for Ailill and Medb in the war of Tain Bo Cuailnge (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), the Irish Iliad.
After the death of Naoise, Conchobar took Deirdre as his wife. After a year, angered by Deirdre's continued coldness towards him, Conchobar asked her whom in the world she hated most, besides himself, she replied "Eogan mac Durthhart", the man who had murdered Naoise.
Conchobar said he would give her to Eogan. As she was being taken to Eogan, Conchobar taunted her saying that "she looked like an ewe between two rams". On hearing this, Deirdre threw herself from the chariot dashing her head to pieces against a rock.
Deirdre of the Sorrows is also, a three-act play written by the Irish playwright John Millington Synge, first performed at the Abbey theatre by the Irish National Theatre Society in 1910. The play is based on the chief myths about Deirdre, Naoise and Conchobar. The work was unfinished at the author's death in 1909, but was completed by William Butler Yeats and Synge's fiancée Molly Aligood.
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
1) Jonathan Swift: 350th Birth Anniversary 15 Euro Silver Proof coin features his most famous work "Gulliver's Travels" : Coin issued on 30.11.2017
2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018
4) Irish Myths & Legends: 1) The Children of Lir;2) Cu Chulain; 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge; 4) Werewolves of Ossory; 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and Deirdre of the Sorrows: An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018)
Northern Ireland Bank issues:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018
4) Irish Myths & Legends: 1) The Children of Lir;2) Cu Chulain; 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge; 4) Werewolves of Ossory; 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and Deirdre of the Sorrows: An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018)
Northern Ireland Bank issues:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
19) The Isle of Man: A British Crown Dependency (BCD) Coinage: A newly introduced Collector's circulation Currency Coinage Collector's set received from the Tower Mint, London, UK issued in April 2017
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
25) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Island and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, Britosh Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part II): A 1 Pound Titanium Coin & a 1 Pound Uncirculated Coin variant, feature the Queen Triggerfish, issued on behalf of Ascension Island (2019) minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK, issues:
1) Lion of England - First Coin in the Series issued in March 2016
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
23) "The Centaur": British Indian Ocean Territiory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Fifth & Last Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint in Nov. 2018
24) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Islands and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part 1) : A 2 Pounds Titanium % a 2 Pounds Uncirculated coins variant, feature the Macaroni Penguin issued on behalf of South Georgia & Sandwich Islands (2019), by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
24) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Islands and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part 1) : A 2 Pounds Titanium % a 2 Pounds Uncirculated coins variant, feature the Macaroni Penguin issued on behalf of South Georgia & Sandwich Islands (2019), by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
25) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Island and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, Britosh Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part II): A 1 Pound Titanium Coin & a 1 Pound Uncirculated Coin variant, feature the Queen Triggerfish, issued on behalf of Ascension Island (2019) minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK, issues:
Famous Battles:
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK issues:
Links: Postage Stamps:
12) Owls: A set of 10 Stamps depicting five Owls - Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Short eared Owl (Asio flammeus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) issued by the Royal Mail Uk on 11.05.2018
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
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