Silver coins depicting ancient Egyptian gods
The return of the Egyptian gods in a new Osiris design
This year, the silver coins previously issued depicting Egyptian gods, which were issued in a 2-ounce size, have returned to us. These coins were popular among coin collectors, especially those who prefer pieces that feature ancient Pharaonic drawings and inscriptions.
After this series was temporarily put on hold, the Egyptian gods are back this year with the same designer working hard to deliver a new set of images. This time, they bring us back an image of Osiris in the form of a zombie!
New designs
The obverse of the new 2-ounce silver coin features a detailed image of Osiris. Specifically, this design is known as Zombie Osiris because it depicts his post-mortem self during the ceremony in which his wife Isis resurrected him for a day. In Egyptian art, Osiris's skin was often depicted green to reflect his association with death, the afterlife, and the Nile River. In this design, you can see his frontal view with his dead skin. He is wrapped in gauze across his chest. His beard is curled, a feature that future pharaohs would use to connect themselves to the power of Osiris. He wears a crown, a white crown associated with Osiris that combines the white crown of Upper Egypt with ostrich feathers on either side. His hands hold a staff and a flail, symbols of kingship and the fertility of the land.
On the reverse side of the silver coin is the fully mummified body of Osiris. Wrapped from head to toe in gauze, he is depicted with four vessels near his feet. The vessels are topped with the heads of a cat, a baboon, and a pharaoh. Behind his figure is a pyramid-shaped tomb, and in the far background is a wall of hieroglyphic writing. In an ancient text, The coin's weight, purity, and metallic content were determined beneath the feet of Osiris..
Egyptian gods' choices
With the resumption of the Egyptian Gods series, collectors will find two options available. There is a Brilliant Uncirculated version of the coin and an Antique version, the latter featuring a unique coating that creates the appearance of an antique coin by presenting a matte finish. Additionally, certified versions of the two silver rounds are available. Both the BU and Antique versions are available with Mint State 70 and Mint State 69 certificates from the NGC.
Who is Osiris?
In Egyptian mythology, Osiris was the god of life, death, the fertility of the earth, and the afterlife. His association with life, death, and the afterlife stemmed from his death in the real world. Osiris was murdered by his brother and resurrected for a day by his wife, Isis. He would later be regarded as the ruler of the afterlife. He also became associated with mummification, being one of the first deities to receive this honor. Pharaohs who were later mummified did so, in part, to join Osiris in the afterlife.
The coins are produced by the company JM Bullion American, and the prices of those pieces are as follows:
| 2 oz Brilliant Uncirculated | $66.56 |
| 2 ounces antique paint | $72.56 |
| 2 oz Brilliant Uncirculated, NCG MS70 | $134.56 |
| 2 oz. Antique Paint, NGC MS70 | $144.56 |
As for the technical details, they are as follows:
| purity | 0.999 |
| fish | 5.5 mm |
| Qatar | 40.4 mm |
| the weight | 2 ounces |
Sources:
