4022) Leif Eriksson, the legendary Norse explorer who charted a course to the shores of North America long before Columbus and also discovered Vinland: "The Way to Valhalla Coin Collection Series": A 2000 Francs CFA 2 oz Pure Silver Antique Finish Coin minted by – Mint XXI – Republic of Cameroon: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2025:
On the mystical land of the North, where rugged landscapes meet the endless sea, a new story emerges.
The world of the Viking warriors, where blood runs like rivers and battles echo through the ages. Here, the bravest of the brave can find The Way to Valhalla — a celestial realm of fallen Vikings welcomed by Odin himself.
The Way to Valhalla unveils a mysterious saga of fierce and courageous Vikings and their adventures leading them to everlasting glory. Feel the pulsating rhythm of their hearts as they sail across treacherous seas, fearlessly pushing the boundaries of their destiny. With each swing of their mighty axes, the air crackles, carrying the taste of triumph.
With a thrilling 12-edition journey ahead, The Way to Valhalla series immerses you into the heart of the Viking world, where the air is permeated with fascinating stories of Scandinavian myths.
"Lief Eriksson, legendary Norse Explorer who who charted a course to the shores of North America long before Columbus.
Meet Leif Eriksson, the legendary Norse explorer who charted a course to the shores of North America long before Columbus and discovered Vinland:
Leif Erikson, also known as Leif the Lucky (c. 970s – c. 1018 to 1025), was a Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. According to the sagas of Icelanders, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, which is usually interpreted as being coastal North America.
There is ongoing speculation that the settlement made by Leif and his crew corresponds to the remains of a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, called L'Anse aux Meadows, which was occupied approximately 1,000 years ago.
Leif's place of birth is unknown, although it is assumed to have been in Iceland. His father, Erik the Red, founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland, where Leif was later raised. Following his voyage to Vinland and the subsequent death of his father, Leif became chief of the Greenland settlement. He had two known sons: Thorgils, born in the Hebrides; and Thorkell, who succeeded him as Greenland's chieftain.
Early life:
Leif was the son of Erik the Red and his wife Thjodhild (Old Norse: Þjóðhildur), and, through his paternal line, the grandson of Thorvald Ásvaldsson. When Erik the Red was young, his father was banished from Norway for manslaughter, and the family went into exile in Iceland (which, during the century preceding Leif's birth, had been colonized by Norsemen, mainly from Norway). Leif was also a distant relative of Naddodd, who discovered Iceland.
Leif's year of birth is often estimated in the c. 970s. Though his birthplace is not accounted for in the sagas, it is likely he was born in Iceland, where his parents met—probably somewhere on the edge of Breiðafjörður, and possibly at Haukadalur Valley, where his mother's family was based. It was in this valley that Erik cleared land and built the farmstead Eiríksstaðir, in c. 970.
Erik was later banished from Iceland and sailed west to a place he named Greenland. He then briefly returned to Iceland to bring his family and other colonists back with him to Greenland, establishing its first permanent settlement in 986. Leif grew up on the family estate Brattahlíð in the Eastern Settlement of Greenland. He had two brothers, whose names were Thorstein and Thorvald, and a sister, Freydís. Tyrker, one of Erik's thralls, had been specially trusted to keep charge of Erik's children, as Leif later referred to him as his "foster father."
Discovering Vinland: Leif Eriksson Discovers America by Hans Dahl (1849–1937)
The Saga of Erik the Red and the Saga of the Greenlanders, both thought to have been written around 1200, contain detailed, but sometimes conflicting accounts of the voyages to Vinland (usually interpreted as coastal North America).
These sagas are generally regarded as works of literature, rather than purely historical accounts, with scholars debating their factual accuracy. The only known strictly historical mentions of Vinland appear in Adam of Bremen's historical treatise (c. 1075) and in the Book of Icelanders (c. 1122) by Ari the Wise, though both are merely passing references.
Leif has been described in the Vinland sagas as a wise, considerate and strong man of striking appearance. When he was of a proper age, Leif went to Norway, likely to serve as a retainer to its king, Olaf Tryggvason.
It was on this journey to Norway that the Saga of Erik the Red states that Leif's ship was driven to the Hebrides, where he and his crew were forced to remain for much of the summer, awaiting favourable winds.
During his stay there, Leif fell in love with a noblewoman, Thorgunna, who gave birth to their son Thorgils. Thorgunna remained in the Hebrides when Leif left, as he refused to take her along without permission from her family. Thorgils was later sent to Leif in Greenland, but he did not become popular.
Chieftaincy and death:
The winter following Leif's return from Vinland, his father died (shortly after 1000 CE), making Leif paramount chief in Greenland.
Leif is last mentioned alive in 1018 in the Saga of St. Olaf. According to The Saga of the Sworn Brothers, by 1025 the chieftaincy of Eiríksfjǫrðr had passed to his son Thorkell.
Nothing is mentioned about his death in the sagas—he probably died in Greenland some time between these dates.
Nothing further is known about his family beyond the succession of Thorkell as chieftain.
Historicity:
Leif is, in all likelihood, a historical figure who remains the first known European to set foot in continental North America, but other details of his life vary and are a subject of debate.
Legacy: Norse and medieval Europe:
Discovery of America, a postage stamp from the Faroe Islands which commemorates both Leif Erikson and Christopher Columbus.
Leif's successful expedition in Vinland encouraged other Norsemen to also make the journey, and the Norse became the first Europeans to colonise the area.
In the end there were no permanent Norse settlements, although sporadic voyages at least to Markland for forages, timber and trade possibly lasted for centuries.
The casual tone of references to these areas may suggest that their discovery was not seen as particularly significant by contemporaries, or that it was assumed to be public knowledge, or both.
Knowledge of the Vinland journeys spread around medieval Europe, although to what extent is unclear; writers made mention of remote lands to the west, and notably the medieval chronicler Adam of Bremen directly mentions Vinland (c. 1075) based upon reports from the Danes.
It has been suggested that the knowledge of Vinland might have been maintained in European seaports in the 15th century, and that Christopher Columbus, who claimed in a letter to have visited Iceland in 1477, could have heard stories of it.
Norse encounters with the Indigenous peoples:
While Leif had no contact with the Indigenous peoples of Vinland, later Norse explorers did, referring to them as skrælingi, an archaic term for "wretches".
According to the Saga of Erik the Red, the first encounter was made during a colonising expedition led by Thorfinn Karlsefni, which also included Leif's brother Thorvald.
At first this group traded with the natives, but weeks later the new Norse settlement at Hóp was attacked and Karlsefni decided to abandon it. The Norse retreated to their other settlement at Straumfjǫrðr, where they remained and continued to explore the general area.
One morning they encountered a one-legged native, who shot an arrow that killed Thorvald.
He is famously known for pulling the arrow out, and poetically reciting the phrase, "This is a rich country we have found; there is plenty of fat around my entrails", upon which he dies.
On their return to Greenland, Karlsefni's crew captured two native boys, taking them to Greenland.
In 1924, a party of four consisting of a Swede, an Englishman, and two Americans attempted to emulate Leif's voyage in an eponymous 40-foot vessel but were lost after reaching the west coast of Greenland.
In 1930, a statue of Leif was erected in the city center of Reykjavík, Iceland – currently situated in front of Hallgrímskirkja – as a gift from the United States to Iceland to commemorate the 1,000 year anniversary of Alþingi, the parliament of Iceland.
The Leif Erikson Awards, established 2015, are awarded annually by the Exploration Museum in Húsavík, Iceland. They are awarded for achievements in exploration and in the study of the history of exploration.
Several ships are named after Leif – a Viking ship replica, a commercial passenger/vehicle ferry, and a large dredger.
Erikson is recalled as Leif the Lucky in the Robert Frost poem Wild Grapes.
Leif Erikson Day:
In 1929, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a bill to make 9 October "Leif Erikson Day" in the state, and in the years following, several other states adopted laws to observe the day.
In 1935, legislation was introduced to the United States Congress requesting federal observance of the day. Before the legislation was passed, it was amended so that the observance would only occur in 1935 (which it was, following a proclamation that year by President President Franklin D. Roosevelt).
The Coin:
Clad in the tempest of exploration and conquest, the coin captures the Viking explorer in his most formidable guise: axe in hand, a raven companion, and his gaze as piercing as the cold northern seas.
Enhanced with digital printing that breathes fire into his red beard and hair, and sculpted in high relief, it showcases the might of his arms.
The Reverse of the 2,000 Francs CFA 2-ounce Silver Antique Finish High-relief Coin'.
Forged in high relief, this 2 oz coin captures the icy gaze of an explorer, the unyielding strength of a leader who carved his path across oceans, discovering new lands.
His powerful figure is etched in silver, as timeless and formidable as the icy Nordic seas he once conquered.
Part of The Way to Valhalla collection, it channels the spirit of Norse myth – where heroes are judged not by life, but by the legends they leave in their wake.
The Obverse of the 2,000 Francs CFA 2-ounce Silver Antique Finish High-relief Coin features a Viking Warrior riding a horse. The Design is supplemented with Celtic/Viking knots.
The peripheral inscriptions read - "REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROON. 2025. 2 oz. 2000 FRANCS CFA. AG 999."
Issuer: Republic of Cameroon
Coin Theme: Lief Ericsson, the Explorer
Issuing Year: 2025
Face Value: 2000 Francs CFA
Metal Composition: .999 Silver
Weight: 2 oz
Dimensions: 50.00 mm
Condition/Coin Quality: Antique Finish (AF)
Mintage: 500 pieces
Special Features: Digital printing, high relief
Links:
Republic of Peru:
Links to some other interesting posts from Mexico:
2) Currency & Coinage of Ghana: Cedis & Pesewas
6) Two new Cedi Banknotes of GH200 & GH100 and a GH2 Cedi Coin introduced in 11/2019
Links to other interesting posts on our Ghana visit in 2013:
1) Lake Bosumchwe or Bosumchwi, Ghana
2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
Links:
2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history
13) Ancient Greek Theatres, Greece: Hellenic Post has brought out a set of five stamps featuring the Ancient Theatres of Dodona, Nocopolis, Kassope, Amvrakia and Gitana (all in Epirus): Stamp issue date: 08.04.2020
14) "MYRTIS", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin dedicated to an 11 year old girl who was a victim of the PLague of Athens (430-426 BC) issued by the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 25.02.2020
For some other interesting posts on Currencies of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, please visit the following links:
18) Sea Motifs, Bahamas: Gold Bullion Coins in the denominations of 100 Dollars (depicting a Blue Marlin) and 250 Dollars (depicting a Conch Shell): Coins issue date: 03.12.2019
19) A new Generation $100 Polymer Banknote, Trinidad and Tobago with enhanced security features to "raise the bar" for counterfeiters & unscrupulous elements: Banknote circulation date: 09.12.2019:
20) Festival di Tumba (Carnival of Curacao), Curacao: "50th Edition of the Curacao Carnival/Festival" held from 27-31.01.2020: A set of six Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by Cpost (Curacao Post) on 20.02.2020
21) New Polymer Banknotes, Trinidad and Tobago: The entire series will consist of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 denominations: $100 has already been issued on 09.12.2019
23) "Caribbean Sea-Horse", Barbados: $10 (Ten Dollars) 1.0 Oz. Gold Bullion Coins & $1 (One Dollar) 1.0 Oz. Silver Bullion Coins minted by the Scottsdale Mint; Year of issue: 2020
24) Cayman Islands, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): A set of identically numbered Banknotes of the presently circulating Banknotes from the "D" Series of Banknotes
Links to some other interesting posts from South American countries & Mexico:
26) A new 100 Boliviano Banknote from Bolivia: issued by the "Banco Centrale de Bolivia" (Central Bank of Bolivia) on 15.01.2019 under its new 2018 Banknote Series
27) Central Bank of Uruguay ("Banco Centrale del Uruguay"): 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) - 1967-2017 - celebrated with the issue of a 50 Peso Commemorative Banknote on 14.09.2018
Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
Interesting Posts from Algeria:
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
2) Currency & Coinage of Ghana: Cedis & Pesewas
6) Two new Cedi Banknotes of GH200 & GH100 and a GH2 Cedi Coin introduced in 11/2019
Links to other interesting posts on our Ghana visit in 2013:
1) Lake Bosumchwe or Bosumchwi, Ghana
2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
New Banknotes of Mozambique:
1) New Banknotes of Mozambique
ZiG: The new currency of Zimbabwe:
1) ZiG: The new Currency of Zimbabwe
Eswatini (Swaziland):
Interesting Posts from Algeria:
Interesting posts from Sierra Leone:
Links to posts on Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very nice informative post Thanks for sharing this interesting post."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
Delete