1925 Silver Norse American Medal Thick Planchet AU

The Only Octagonal Commemorative Struck by the U.S. Mint!

In 1925, the Philadelphia Mint struck its first and only octagonal commemorative – a one-year-only medal to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Norse immigration to the United States. This historic 90% silver medal is not only hard to find, but also fairly unknown. Even seasoned numismatists are often surprised by its existence, especially when they learn it was designed by none other than James Earle Fraser, creator of the Buffalo Nickel design!

Proposed by Minnesota U.S. Representative Ole Juulson Kvale, this piece was originally intended as a commemorative legal-tender coin. The idea was scuttled faster than a Viking long ship with a hole in its bottom by Treasury Department officials, who felt commemorative issues were falling out of favor with the public and government officials. Kvale, himself a Norse-American, didn’t let the issue die and was able to get it released as a series of one-year-only commemorative medals in bronze, silver and gold. Since many Norwegian immigrants found their way to Minnesota, the commemorative was featured at an event held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in June of 1925. More than 100,000 attended the event at which President Calvin Coolidge gave a speech I which he stated that Ericson had indeed been the first European to discover America.

Two 30 mm versions of these silver medals were struck – a 10.2 gram "thin" version and a 14.74 gram "thick" version. The version available in this offer is the thick version. Each Norse-American Silver Medal we have available in this offer comes in lightly circulated Extremely Fine or better condition with all of its rich detail on full display more than 90 years after it was first issued by the U.S. Mint.

Whether you are a collector of U.S. coins, a student of Viking history, or are proud to say you have Norse blood flowing in your veins, this scarce, hard-to-find and oh-so popular silver medal is just the ticket. Don’t let it sail away – and it to your cart today!

• UNIQUE ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGN – The 1925 Norse-American Silver Medal not only pays tribute to early Norwegian immigrants by striking a Viking-themed commemorative, but it’s the first and only 8-sided octagonal commemorative in the storied history of the U.S. Mint! It was designed by famed Buffalo Nickel designer James Earle Fraser.

• STRUCK IN FINE SILVER – Each 1925 Norse-American Silver Medal is minted in 14.74 gm of 90% silver.

• NICE COLLECTOR CONDITION – Your 1925 Norse-American Silver Medal comes in lightly circulated Extremely Fine or better condition with all of its rich detail on full display more than 90 years after it was struck.

• LIMITED EDITION MEDAL – Just 33,750 of these thick-planchet Norse-American medals were ever struck, making them relatively scarce for today’s collectors.

No U.S. coin collection would be complete without one of these Norse-American Silver Commemorative Medals. Reserve yours now.