A warship fit for rulers and chieftains, the dragon-headed longship (drakkar) was the great ship of the Viking Age, and the embodiment of the Norsemen's superior shipbuilding abilities. This troop carrier was the largest vessel in the fleet, but was remarkably light and swift for its time. While a small draft allowed it to enter shallow waterways, the dreki could either cross the seas under sail or was powered by oars during hit-and-run raids that caused fear as soon asits dragon-shaped figurehead appeared.

For the superstitious Vikings, the elaborately carved dragonhead on the prow was a talisman to keep sea monsters and evil spirits at bay. On the coin's reverse, the colour-over-engraved depiction is a beautiful representation of Norse artistry and craftsmanship, and typifies the Viking ships that brought these trader-warriors farther than ever—including Canada's easternmost shores.

Your coin re-imagines Viking ships as they likely appeared over 1,000 years ago! Order today!

• THE SHIPS THAT SAILED INTO HISTORY! Yours is the first coin in a three-coin series that re-visits the Viking Age, to a time when the naval expertise of Norse seafarers left an imprint on history wherever their ships came ashore—includingCanada's east coast. Future coins in your series include:
  • Dragon's Sail (priced at $104.95, expected availability date of February 2018)
  • Viking Voyage (priced at $104.95, expected availability date of March 2018)
• HISTORY AND ART INTERTWINED! A joint celebration of the artistryand naval craftsmanship that are at the heart of anearly chapter in Canadian history—one that was onlyuncovered in the 1960s!
• VIKINGS IN CANADA! Each coinre-imagines Viking ships, as they likely appeared amillennium ago, when a Norse encampment was established on the site of L'Anse aux Meadows, N.L.—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America.
• A COMPLEX DESIGN! Each coin features a design that is as elaborate and intricate as the ship it depicts. Different frostings add nuance to the highly detailed engraving, while a selective application of colour accents the outer ring!
• A TIMELESS QUALITY! The circular nature of the frame speaks to the timelessness of the Viking spirit, while the knotworkexemplifies the beauty of traditional Norse art.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! Regardless of special packaging, the Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins!
• LOW MINTAGE! Set to 6,000 coinsworldwide, this limited collectible is sure to be highly sought after.
• ONE-OUNCE 99.99% PURE SILVER COIN! Your coin has no GST/HST!

Designed by Patrick Belanger, your coin presents anartistic rendering of the dragon-headed longship (drakkar), which was regarded as a symbol of Viking power and strength. The background features a precisely engraved depiction of the wooden vessel in open waters, where the wind fills its square sail and propels it forward during a long-distance journey. A troop carrier fit for rulers and chieftains, this ornate longship is equipped with shields while its curved bow rises up towards a dragonhead prow ornament, whose purpose was to ward off evilspirits and sea monsters. Selective colour over engraving emphasizes the elaborate nature of the carvedfigurehead in the foreground, which offers a magnified view of this feature that gave the Norse vessel its name and added to the ship's imposing appearance. The side view of the figurehead overlaps a green-coloured frame inspired by Norse art elements, including traditional knotwork with an integrated gripping beast motif that also adorns the Norse figurehead. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.

Order today!