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Friday 1 September 2023

2976) "MORGAN LE FAY" ("Morgan the Fairy"), United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": Third Bullion Coin in the Series: Silver £2 UKP (2 Pounds) & £5 (5 Pounds) and Gold £25 (25 Pounds) & £100 UKP (100 Pounds) Bullion Coins and £5 (5 Pounds) Cupro-nickel issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the legendary half-sister of King Arthur: Year of Coin issue: 2023:

2976) "MORGAN LE FAY" ("Morgan the Fairy"), United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": Third Bullion Coin in the Series: Silver £2 UKP (2 Pounds) & £5 (5 Pounds) and Gold £25 (25 Pounds) & £100 UKP (100 Pounds) Bullion Coins and £5 (5 Pounds) Cupro-nickel issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the legendary half-sister of King Arthur: Year of Coin issue: 2023:

Arthurian Links:

1) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series"


The Royal Mint, UK has released the third coin in its new range of collector coins titled - “Myths and Legends,” which was first released in 2021 year as a Bullion Coin Series.

The Reverse of the Silver 2 & 5 UKP (UK Pounds) and Gold 25 & 100 (UK Pounds) Bullion Coins placed against a background image of the aftermath of the Battle of Camlaan, with Arthur mortally wounded and Morgan and two other Queens come to take Arthur to his last resting place in Avalon. A boat awaits in the background to ferry them to Avalon.

The third Coin and last Coin in the Series depicts Morgan le Fay ("Morgan the Fairy") the half-sister of King Arthur, the antagonist of King Arthur — Morgan le Fay. 

The two previous coins were on King Arthur himself and Merlin the Wizard. 

Morgan le Fay was an enchantress and a “Fay” (meaning a “sorceress”). 

She is Arthur’s half-sister, the daughter of his mother Igraine, the mother of Arthur and her first husband Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall, as such, Arthur was her half-brother.

She often shown at the fringes of the Arthurian court, plotting its downfall. 

She becomes an apprentice to Merlin and a vindictive adversary of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, with a special hatred for Guinevere. 

In some accounts, she is married to Merlin, and they have 12 children. 

She is mentioned in some accounts as an archenemy of Merlin.

Morgan le Fay became a staple figure of the Arthurian legends, and her relationship with Arthur has varied over the centuries. 

As a love interest of Merlin, he taught her his craft, to which Morgan was a very good student and soon became a powerful sorceress herself

One particular chapter tells of how Morgan le Fay steals the Excalibur sword and gives it to her lover, Accolon, intending that they overthrow King Arthur and rule in his place.

Thwarting the scheme, Arthur recovers the sword, but she steals its magical scabbard, which has healing properties, indirectly contributing to Arthur’s fatal wounding in his final battle at Camlaan. 

In a chapter of the myth, Morgan sends the Green Knight into Arthur’s court in the hopes that Queen Guinevere will be frightened to death. 

The Green Knight was described as a mysterious and imposing figure who dares any knight to strike him with his axe if he will take a return blow “in a year and a day.” 

The Arthurian legend ends with Morgan, dressed in a black hood, taking the dying Arthur to his final resting place in Avalon.

She became an indirect instrument in Arthur’s death and that of his knights in the Battle of Camlaan, though she is filled with remorse and is one of the three queens who take Arthur on his final journey to Avalon.

Her own end is ambiguous as she is described as a figure in folklore who doesn’t belong to the world of the dead nor the world of the living. 

Some Arthurian Legend Books in my personal library:


“The Mammoth Book of Merlin” (revealing the magic of 24 binding tales from the time of King Arthur’s Camelot) in my personal library.

This book contains 24 different stories by different authors on various episodes in Merlin, the wizard’s life and his interactions with King Arthur.

“I am Morgan le Fay – A tale from Camelot” by Nancy Springer (Published in 2002).

From the Merlin Tarot Deck in my Tarot Library: 

The following images are from the Merlin Tarot deck in my Tarot library:

               The 78 Card Merlin Tarot Pack

       The Back of the Merlin Tarot Deck Pack


The side view of the jacket containing the Merlin Tarot Card Pack, the Merlin Tarot Handbook and the Merlin Tarot Journal. This is one of the most "magical" and esoteric of the Tarot decks in my Tarot library.

 The cover of the Merlin Tarot Jacket  

The Bullion Coins:

On the Reverse of the Silver & Gold Bullion Coins is portrayed Morgan le Fay, a dark and powerful enchantress, wearing a winged headpiece and poised to use magic against her enemies. 

The text on the outer periphery reads - "MORGAN LE FAY· MYTHS AND LEGENDS.2023".

All editions feature a hexurity refraction feature integrated into the background design that allows the light to reflect in different angles.

On the Obverse of the Silver and Gold Bullion Coins is an effigy of King Charles III facing left designed by Martin Jennings, whose initials "MJ" appear below the King's neck. 

The inscriptions on the outer periphery read - "CHARLES III. D.G. REX. F.D. 2023" and the denomination 25 or 100 POUNDS (Gold) or 2 & 5 POUNDS (Silver), and 5 Pounds (Cupro-nickel), as part of the legend surrounding the King’s effigy.

The specifications of the Silver and Gold Coin Variants are:

i) £2 (2 Pounds) Silver Bullion Coin Variant:

Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £2 UKP (2 Pounds); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 2,500 pieces;Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse). 

ii) £25 (25 Pounds) Silver Bullion Coin Variant:

Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £25 UKP (25 Pounds); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au/Or); Weight: 2.0 Oz or 62.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 500 pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).

iii) £25 (25 Pounds) Gold Bullion Coin Variant:

Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £25 UKP (25 Pounds); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au/Or); Weight: 7.80 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 600 pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).

iv) £100 (100 Pounds) Gold Bullion Coin Variant:

Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £100 UKP (100 Pounds); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au/Or); Weight: 1.00 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.69 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 200 pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).

- Each of the Gold and Silver range of the “Myths and Legends” collector coins is encapsulated and presented in a selection of hardwood high-gloss cases (Gold) or leatherette or black matte cases (Silver), accompanied by numbered Certificates of Authenticity (COA)

- The series is also available as one-ounce bullion gold, platinum, and silver strikes.

v) £5 (5 Pounds) Cupro-nickel Coin Variant:

Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £5 UKP (5 Pounds); Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Weight: 28.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: Unlimited pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).


- The Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations.   

- The “Myths and Legends” collection is also available in a bullion quality strike, with Morgan Le Fay joining the range later in the year.




Links:

Arthurian Links:

1) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series"



Links on other Railway Posts on this blog:

1) Celebrating 150 Years of serving the Indian Nation by the Railways in 2002-2003

2) 150th Anniversary of Railways in Japan (1872-2022): The Japan Mint has issued a 1,000 Yen Silver Coin to commemorate the milestone: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04.10.2022

Steam Power - Australian Rail Heritage Coin Series:







Other Links:





A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):

i) A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) featuring "The Royal Cipher", British Antarctic Territory (BAT), "Proclamation", South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SG & SSI), "Double Portrait", Falkland Islands: Pobjoy Mint, UK has brought out a limited edition 3-Coin 50 Pence Set with Pearl Black Finish and Privy Mark: Year of Coin issue: 2022:

ii) Charles III, United Kingdom: Effigy unveiled on memorial 5 Pound Crowns and 50 Pence Coins

iii) Late Queen Elizabeth II and Ascension of King Charles III: A Combo of i) Four Postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail Tallents House, Edinburgh and a ii) Memorial 50 Pence Coin Cover issued by the Royal Mint, UK

iv) The Coronation of King Charles III, United Kingdom: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins issued by the Royal Mint (UK) celebrate the event: Date/Year of Coins issue: 06.05.2023

v) Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday: A Souvenir Sheet issued by the Royal Mail, UK featuring four generations of Windsors on 21.04.16 

vi) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK



1) 200 Years of the Discovery of Antarctica, Estonia: A 2 Euro Commemorative Coin dedicated the the Bicentenary of the Discovery of Antarcticca by Admiral Fabian Gottlieb Benjamin von Bellingshausen on board the "Vostok": Coin issue date: 01/2020

2) Solomon Islands: 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's first Pacific "Voyage of Discovery" and charting of New Zealand and Australia's East Coast: Date of Coin issue: 2020















Links: Postage Stamps from the British Isles:

























37) Sherlock Holmes, United Kingdom: A set of six stamps issued by Royal Mail, UK featuring the characters of the modern version of a TV Serial "Sherlock" started in 2010 by the BBC, together with Cupro-nickel & Silver Medals minted by the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Stamp Set issue: 18.08.2020














53) Gibraltar Cryptocurrency Stamp: Stamp value 4 Pounds: Date of Stamp issue: 15.05.2021: (Pre-ordered accepted from 19.04.2021)

54) The Calf Of Man Nature Reserve", Isle of Man, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): 75th Anniversary" Celebrations (1946-2021): A set of ten Stamps issued by the Isle of Man Post (IOMP) commemorating the milestone of this Biosphere Island: (Also includes the EUROPA Stamp on "Endangered National Wildlife" theme designated by PostEurop for 2021): Date of Stamps issue: 12.04.2021

55) "The Who", United Kingdom: The iconic Rock Group features on the latest "British Music Legends" Collector Coin Series issues from the Royal Mint UK: Date of Coin Release: 24.05.2021

56) "Sark - Dark Sky Island", Guernsey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): This "GuernseyTogether" Series of stamps by Guernsey Post features drawings made by Sark school-children: Date of stamp set issue: 19.08.2020

57) Surfing in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set if six stamps issued by Jersey Post featuring contemporary photographs taken by Jersey photographers: Date of Stamp Set issie: 18.05.2021

58) Dennis and Gnasher, United Kingdom: 70th Anniversary (1951-2021): A set of sis Stamps issued by Royal Mail, UK, featuring the popular comic strip: Date of Stamp Set issue: 01.07.2021

59) The Palace of Westminster, United Kingdom: 10th Anniversary molestone (1870-2020): Royal Mail UK has issued a set of Ten Stamps featuring the iconic Palace: Date/Year of Coin issue: 30.07.2020

60) Industrial Revolutions, United Kingdom: Royal Mail, UK has brought out a set of stamps featuring the Industrial Revolutions: Date of Stamp Set issue: 12.08.2021

61) Frances Hodgson Burnett and "The Secret Garden", Alderney, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post on behalf of Aldernay Islands: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.09.2021

62) "75th Anniversary of MENSA" (1946-2021", Isle of Man, A British  Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps issued by the Isle of Man Post (IOMP): Date of Stamp Set issue: 01.10.2021

63) Non-Value Indicator (NVI) Definitive Stamps, United Kingdom (UK): Date of Stamps issue: 01.02.2022

64) "Heart of the Forest", Guernsey , A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Guernsey Post has brought out the first part of a Stamp quartet which takes inspiration from the "Love Paper" Global Campaign: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 09.02.2022

65) Harvest of the Sea, Jersey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Jersey Post has issued a set of six stamps depicting six different sea foods: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 17.02.2022





















Innovations in Science 50 Pence Coin Series:

Music Legends Coin Series:

1) "The Who", United Kingdom: The iconic Rock Group features on the latest "British Music Legends" Collector Coin Series issues from the Royal Mint UK: Date of Coin Release: 24.05.2021 

2) Music Giants III, QUEEN, UK: A comprehensive Coin and Stamps Combo issued by the Royal Mail UK in collaboration with the Queen Band and the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin & Stamp combo issue: 09.06.2020

3) "Rolling Stones", United Kingdom: "Music Legends Coin Series": Fifth Coin in the Series: Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins feature the timeless Rock Band: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022

4) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: Two Commemorative Stamp sets (Presentation Sets) brought out by the Royal Mail, UK on 07.07.2016: 1) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: A set of six stamps issued, their most popular studio albums 2) Legendary Live Performances: A set of four stamps issued depicting four of their memorable tours

5) "Yellow Submarine", A song sung by the English Rock Band - "The Beatles" in 1966, Gibraltar: A 5 Pounds Silver Coin minted by the crown Mint features the iconic song sung by the legendary Rock Group: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022

6) Iron Maiden (a Heavy Metal English Band), United Kingdom (UK): A set of eight stamps issued on the legendary Band by Royal Mail UK: Date of Stamp set issue: 12.01.2023

7) "Shirley Bassey", United Kingdom: "Music Legends Coin Series": Sixth Coin in the Series minted in Cupro-nickel, Gold and Silver features the timeless Diva who gave the title songs in three James Bond movies - "Diamonds ae Forever", "Moonraker" and Goldfinger": Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023

Links to "Great Engravers Coin Series":

1) "William Wyon", United Kingdom (UK): "Great Engravers Coin Series": First Coin in the Series features Wyon's Gothic Crown in Gold and Silver: Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.12.2021

2) "William Wyon", United Kingdom (UK): "Great Engravers Coin Series": Second Coin in the Series featuring the Obverse of Wyon's Gothic Crown in Gold and Silver: Date/Year of Coin issue: 02/2022 (with Date of issue marked as 2021)

3) "The Petition Crown", United Kingdom: "Master Engravers Coin Series": Thomas Simon's Crown Coin designed as a direct response to the newly restored King Charles II to consider his own work for use on English coinage: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023

The World of David Walliams Coin Series:





 Posts on the UK Coins and Stamps:

"Tales of the Earth Coin Series": The Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series:

i) Prehistoric Temnodontosaurus, United Kingdom: "Tales of the earth Coin Series": First coin in the "Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series" features on Gold, Silver & Cupro-nickel 50 Pence Coin Variants: Date/Year of Coin issue: 25.02.2021 Variants

Myths & Legends Coin Series:

1) "ROBIN HOOD", United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": First Coin in the Series: Silver 2 UKP (2 Pounds) and Gold 100 UKP(100 Pounds) Bullion Coins issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the famed/legendary Outlaw: Year of Coin issue: 2021

2) The Legend of Robin Hood, United Kingdom: Royal Mail, UK has issued a set of ten postage stamps depicting the legend of Robin Hood: Date of Stamp Set issue: 13.04.2023

3) "MERLIN", United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": Second Bullion Coin in the Series: Silver 2 UK Pounds & 5 UK Pounds and Gold 25 and 100 UK Pounds Bullion Coins and 5 Pounds Cupro-nickel issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the legendary wizard: Year of Coin issue: 2023

A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):

i) A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) featuring "The Royal Cipher", British Antarctic Territory (BAT), "Proclamation", South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SG & SSI), "Double Portrait", Falkland Islands: Pobjoy Mint, UK has brought out a limited edition 3-Coin 50 Pence Set with Pearl Black Finish and Privy Mark: Year of Coin issue: 2022:

"The Queen's Beasts" Coin Series, UK issues:



"Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria" Coin Series, UK issues:

Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:

Central Bank of Ireland issues:



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)




Bank of Ireland issues:


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






Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank 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 Royal Bank of Scotland:


British Crown Dependencies/Overseas Territories:



3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey











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




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



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

‎31) 200th Anniversary of John Keats' "Odes to a ....", Alderney Island: A set of six Postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post which brings out stamps on behalf of Alderney Island - 1) Ode on a Grecian Urn,(48p) 2) Ode on Indolence (65p), 3) Ode on Melancholy (66p), 4) Ode to a Nightingale (80p), 5) Ode to Psyche (90p), 6) Ode to Autumn (98 p) : Stamp Set issue date: 24.07.2019‎32) Isle of Mann: Celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of the Birth of Herman Melville, the author of the classic Moby Dick: A six Stamp Set issued on 22.07.2019

































Gold Sovereign Coins:
  



Silver Sovereign Coins:


British India Coinage:



3) Edward VII: King & Emperor  Coinage





5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "Segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)



 British Coinage:


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:



3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)

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 Brixton Pound:

4 comments:

  1. Rajan Trikha has commented:
    "Wonderful informative post 👍"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "Thanks for sharing this interesting and informative post."

    ReplyDelete