Expert: PAPAJACK - 9/6/2009

Question
Papajack  I am looking for information for Ericson dollar  coin. If you can tell me something about the coin issue it would be great!

Answer
Hello Sam,                    

I do not recall too much information about this commemorative issue dollar but I found that this was the first joint effort between Iceland and the USA. The US Mint made two pieces. One was a 1000 Kroner for Iceland but sold in the USA Set with the dollar coin if you wanted it.

Here is the US Mints own advertisement;
The 2000 Leif Ericson dollar commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the discovery of Americas by Leif Ericson. The obverse of the U. S. coin, designed by John Mercanti, features a standing a portrait of Ericson. The reverse, designed by T. James Ferrell, features a Viking ship sailing to the New World with Ericson at the helm.  

2000 Leif Ericson Icelandic 1,000 kronur coin:
The 2000 Leif Ericson 1,000 kronur was to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the discovery of Americas by Leif Ericson. Thröstur Magnússon designed the coin. The obverse features the artist’s interpretation of the statue of Leifur Eiríksson made by the sculptor Stirling Calder.
The U.S. Congress presented the statue to the Icelandic nation in 1930. The reverse portrays a stylized drawing of the Icelandic Coat of Arms representing the four guardians of Iceland, an eagle, a dragon, a giant and a bull, guarding the north, east, south, and west of Iceland.  

Good Luck,   

PapaJack