3035) Unicorn, Portugal: “Mythological Heroes and Creatures”: The Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM) has released the first Coins in the Series: 5 Euro Cupro-nickel, 5 Euro Silver and 5 Euro Gold Proof Colour Coins begin the Series: Date/Year of Coins issue: 09/2023:
The Header/Banner showcases the Obverses and Reverses of the Silver and Gold Proof Coins. The Series is titled - "HEROIS E CRIATURAS DA MITOLOGIA" (HEROES AND CREATURES OF MYTHOLOGY". The name of the issuing mint - "CASA DA MOEDA" (meaning House of Money") is at bottom left.
The Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM) has released new commemorative Gold, Silver, and Base Metal Coins, which begin a new collector series titled "HEROIS E CRIATURAS DA MITOLOGIA" (“Mythological Heroes and Creatures.”)
The series intent is to focus on and highlight universal symbols written about throughout the ages that continue to connect all generations.
The Unicorn:
Beginning the series of Gold and Silver Proof Coins is the Unicorn.
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead.
In European literature and art, the unicorn has for the last thousand years or so been depicted as a white horse-like (or goat-like animal) with a long straight horn with spiralling grooves, cloven hooves, and sometimes a goat's beard.
In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could be captured only by a virgin.
In encyclopedias, its horn was described as having the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness. In medieval and Renaissance times, the tusk of the narwhal was sometimes sold as a unicorn horn.
A bovine type of unicorn is believed to have been depicted in seals of the Bronze Age Indus Valley civilization.
An equine form of the unicorn was mentioned by the ancient Greeks in accounts of natural history by various writers, including Ctesias, Strabo, Pliny the Younger, Aelian, and Cosmas Indicopleustes.
The Bible also describes an animal, the re'em, which some translations render as unicorn.
The unicorn continues to hold a place in popular culture. It is often used as a symbol of fantasy or rarity.
Indus stamp seal and modern impression - a unicorn and incense burner or a manger (6500–1900 BC).
A creature with a single horn, conventionally called a unicorn, is the most common image on the soapstone stamp seals of the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization ("IVC"), from the centuries around 6000 BC. It has a body more like a cow than a horse, and a curved horn that goes forward, then up at the tip.
Typically, the unicorn faces a vertical object with at least two stages; this is variously described as a "ritual offering stand", an incense burner, or a manger.
The animal is always in profile on the IVC seals, but the theory that it represents animals with two horns, one hiding the other, is disproved by a (much smaller) number of small terracotta unicorns, probably toys, and the profile depictions of bulls, where both horns are clearly shown. It is thought that the unicorn was the symbol of a powerful "clan or merchant community" but may also have had some religious significance.
Present Day:
Presently, we think of it as a friendly white horse with a harmless horn and a rainbow coloured mane. The unicorn represents goodness, purity, and the ability to dream.
Today, more than a theme for children´s parties or a name given to successful start-ups, the unicorn is a testament to our infinite ability to perpetuate a legend.
The Unicorn Coins designed by Susa Monteiro:
The Unicorn commemorative coin is the first of a series called "Mythological Heroes and Creatures," intended to celebrate universal symbols that connect all generations.
On the Obverse of the Gold, Silver, and Base Metal Coin variants of the famed standing unicorn hiding among the branches of a pomegranate tree with several suns behind it with the word "UNICÓRNIO" placed along the upper left periphery.
Around the lower periphery is the name of the designer and the year "2023".
On the Reverse of the Gold, Silver, and Base Metal Coin variants the unicorn is seen resting on pomegranate tree branches, along with representations of the sun to the right and the moon to the left.
Above the primary design is the denomination "5€" and the name of the issuing country - "PORTUGAL" in stylised text, along with the inclusion of the "Portuguese crest".
The inscription - "CASA DA MOEDA" ("House of Money") is seen along the upper left rim.
i) The specifications of the Gold Coin Variant are:
Country of issue: Portugal; Date/Year: 09/2023; Series Theme: "Heróis e Criaturas da Mitologia" ("Mythological Heroes and Creatures"); Denomination/Face Value: 5 Euro; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 15.55 grams; Diameter/Size: 33.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with Applied Colour (PAC); Minted By: The Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM); Mintage: 2,000 pieces; Designer: Susa Monteiro.
ii) The specifications of the Silver Coin Variant are:
Country of issue: Portugal; Date/Year: 09/2023; Series Theme: "Heróis e Criaturas da Mitologia" ("Mythological Heroes and Creatures"); Denomination/Face Value: 5 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 14.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with Applied Colour (PAC); Minted By: The Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM); Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Designer: Susa Monteiro.
iii) The specifications of the Base Metal Coin Variant are:
Country of issue: Portugal; Date/Year: 09/2023; Series Theme: "Heróis e Criaturas da Mitologia" ("Mythological Heroes and Creatures"); Denomination/Face Value: 5 Euro; Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Weight: 14.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.0 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated (U); Minted By: The Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM); Mintage: 30,000 pieces; Designer: Susa Monteiro.
- Both the gold and silver Proof-quality coins are each encapsulated and presented in a custom case made of a natural cork base and a Perspex cover accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
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