Numismatic

1925 Norse-American Centennial Thin Medal AU

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In 1925, a special celebration took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to mark the one-hundred-year anniversary of Norwegian settlers arriving in America in 1825. To honor this milestone, Congress authorized a unique commemorative piece. While originally envisioned as a commemorative half dollar coin, the final authorized issue was struck as an octagonal silver medal at the Philadelphia Mint. This particular specimen is the scarcer thin variety, which saw a limited production of only 6,000 pieces, compared to more than 33,000 of the thick variety. Struck in 90 percent silver with a metal weight of 0.3617 troy ounces, the medal has survived in Almost Uncirculated condition, preserving the bold details of its striking, angular design. The artistry of the medal is the work of renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser, whose signature appears on the piece as "OPUS FRASER". The obverse features a powerful depiction of a Viking chieftain, fully armed for battle, stepping off his ship onto new shores. The reverse showcases a traditional Viking longship under sail, accompanied by inscriptions noting the congressional authorization of the medal. The legends "NORSE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL" along with the key dates "1825" and "1925" anchor this historic piece to the centennial it celebrates.