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Monday 10 June 2019

1019) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich:

1019) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich:


The highlight of Coin Invest Trust (CIT)'s coin portfolio at World Money Fair 2019 was this breath-taking Silver Coin minted for the Isle of Man (often referred to as Mann).

The Reverse of the 5 Pounds Coin placed against the mountainous landscape of the Isle of Man. On the Coin image is a kneeling Manannan in full armour holding his sword "Fragarach" in his right hand and his invincible shield in his left hand. A Celtic Cross is placed behind him signifying his Celtic origins

While depictions on modern coins often lack a significant connection to the country of issue, Manannan, who was the first King of Mann - is a treasure  of folklore and cultural identity.

Manannan or Manann, also known as Manannan mac Lir ("Son of the Sea") is a sea god and of the Underworld in Celtic /Irish mythology. The realm of the Sea is indivisibly associated with the journey of the soul after death. He is affiliated with both the "Tuatha De Dannan" (meaning the folk of the goddess Danu - a supernatural race in Irish mythology) and the "Fomorians" (a supernatural race in Irish mythology, often portrayed as hostile and monstrous beings who came from the sea or underground. They were also portrayed as giants and sea raiders).


 He was the first king and defender of the Island. He is a vital part of Manx, Irish and Scottish mythology and folklore

Manannan in Celtic mythology is identified with the trickster figure of "Bodach an Chota" ("The churl in a drab coat").

The son of a sea god Ler, he disposes of an abundance of magical objects, which he generously lent to heroes leaving for battle. He is said to have possessed a "Cloak of Invisibility" which with the help of a magical fog "Feth fiada" ("Mist of the Lord") rendered him invisible and invulnerable, and his ship/boat "Scuabtuinne" ("Wave Sweeper") - which was a ship able to cross or fly over the seas without sails. He also possesses a sea-borne chariot drawn by the horse "Enbarr of the flowing mane" ("water foam" - which could travel over water as easily as on land) and a powerful sword named "Fragarach" ("The Answerer" or "Retaliator") that could slice through any armour and upon command when pointed at a target could make that target answer any question truthfully. He gave Cormac mac Airt (or Cormac ua Cuinn or Cormac Ulfada, a High King of Ireland) his magic "Goblet of Truth".

He is also associated with a "cauldron of regeneration". In the tale of Cormac mac Airt, he appeared on Cormac's ramparts in the guise of a warrior who told him that he came from a land where old age, sickness, death, decay and falsehood were unknown.

As guardian of the Blessed Isles (a semi-legendary island group in the Atlantic Ocean believed to be an earthly paradise inhabited by heroes of Greek mythology) and Mag Mell (a mythological realm achievable through death and/or glory and is an island far to the West of Ireland or a kingdom beneath the ocean), he has strong associations with "Emhain Abhlach" ("Isle of Apple Trees") where the magical silver apple branch (in Irish mythology) is found.

 He is the ruler and guardian of the Otherworld who ferries souls to the afterlife

Manannan is a hero appearing in many Celtic myths and tales of the four great Cycles of Irish mythology, and often introduced a decisive turn of events, but seldom played the central part.

Even if he guarded the way to the world beyond and supported the dead on their way to the after-world, he did not display his power, but graciously stays in the background, leaving the stage to others.

The Coin:

The depiction of Manannan on the commemorative coin shows him kneeling, head lowered, and has his face concealed by a helmet.

With Smartminting technology, the engraving of the hero of Eirinn and the first King of Mannin ("Isle of Man") has become a small, three-dimensional piece of art which transports the viewer back to mythological times, during which Manannan, with the help of the gods ruled the Isle of Man honestly and justly.

The Reverse of the Silver Five Pounds Coin depicts King Manannan in front of the Celtic Cross in full armour, down on one knee, with his head humbly lowered. He is seen holding his sword "Fragarach" on which a Triskelion Emblem of the Isle of Man is embossed. On his left arm, he carries his victory bringing shield. On the upper periphery is inscribed - " MANANNAN. 1st KING OF MAN".

A representative/enlarged image of the centre of the Reverse design shows the intricate artwork on his armour, sword and armour hand-gloves, as well as the hilt of his sword exhibiting the Triskelion.
The Obverse of the Silver Five Pounds Coin shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth facing right. The inscriptions around her effigy, in the hub of the Celtic Cross  read - "QUEEN ELIZABETH II, ISLE OF MAN, 2019. FIVE POUNDS".

On the beams of the Celtic Cross and the surrounding ring are seen Celtic inter-lace decorations. 

The Queen is the head of state of the Isle of Man, and holds the title - "Lord of Mann."

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 5 Pounds; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof, with Antique Finish); Weight: 3.0 Oz or 91.3 grams; Diameter: 55.0 mm; Mintage: 999 pieces; Country of issue: Isle of Man (A self-governing British Crown Dependency (BCD); Coin minted in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT); Coin minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich; Year of issue: 2019."

The custom box in which the coin is shipped/housed. It shows the Triskelion emblem of the Isle of Man and is titled "MANANNAN".








Other links to interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries:




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

3) 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

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 

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, British 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

26) Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic Explorer: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands: A 2 Pounds Coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK, brought out on 26.02.2019 on behalf of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands in two variants - Silver and Cupro-nickel

27) Concorde, a Stamp set from Gibraltar, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): 50th Anniversary of the first Supersonic Passenger Carrying Airplane, jointly built by France and Great Britain: Stamp set issue date: 20.04.2019

28) Tristan da Cunha (BOT): A Wedgwood "Three Graces" Jasperware 5 Pound Coin: minted in 2018

29) 75th Anniversary of D-Day Landings: (The Battle of Normandy): i) A Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau Stamp set of 4 stamps issued on 08.03.2019: ii) A Limited edition D-Day joint Commemorative issue by British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territory - Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar on 06.06.2019

30) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich



Famous Battles
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 




Links: Postage Stamps: 


42 comments:

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