The Celts were once a powerful group of people living in the 1000s BC in an area that spread from the British Isles to what is now Turkey. They were not a nation nor a race; rather, the Celts were a group of people tied together by customs, religion, and language. They had no centralized government, yet Celtic society had a defined structure and each tribe or group had a hierarchy of classes.
Beginning around 225 BC, the Celts began experiencing a series of defeats by the Roman Empire until they were essentially conquered. Only a few areas remained free and were able to pass down Celtic mythology and legend in its traditional oral form. Fortunately, medieval Irish and Welsh monks recorded many of these stories beforehand. It is from these texts, along with retellings as written by the Romans, that we are able to study this lore in modern times.
The early Celts created a mythology comprised of hundreds of tales involving gods, heroes, and villains. A major theme of much of this lore is magic and the supernatural, including the iconic cauldron that is often associated with Merlin. Another major theme involves the physical landscape, with many adventures centering around nature and trees.
Celtic mythology can be broken up into four cycles, or groups of connected stories. The Mythological Cycle details the battles of Celtic gods as they fought to gain control of Ireland. The Ulster Cycle tells of the deeds of Celtic warriors and heroes. The Historical Cycle centers around stories based on real kings of the region. Lastly, the Fenian Cycle centers around a group of warriors led by Finn Mac Cumhail and how they protected the Irish and Scottish lands.
Some of these famed legends are celebrated in Provident’s new Celtic Lore series of silver rounds, featuring five designs by Howard David Johnson. The Morrigan, the second design in the series, was recently released and will remain available while supplies last. But now is your chance to win big!
Out of all the legends and mythological tales you’ve heard, which is your favorite? You’re not limited to only Celtic tales here. Commenting below will serve as your entry for our September giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by September 17, 2017. One winner will be randomly selected on September 18, 2017 to receive a Morrigan 1 oz colorized silver round from our Celtic Lore series.
Good luck to all entrants!
You can’t beat the price
This is a beautiful coin and nice history behind it. I wonder what the next coin of the set will be like.
I would have to say The Tree of Life. A connection to our ancestors and the wisdom they bring to us now and for the future.
My fave isnt exactly a tale, but a creature. The Water Horse.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_horse
Provident offers great series of coins! Another reason why they are my favorite precious metal supplier!
My favorite mythological tale is the story of Christ!
What more could you ask for? Battle goddess of the Celts of Ancient Ireland. Perfect! Love It!
Provident Metals is awesome!!!!!
I really like Celtic mythology, I think the Ulster Cycle is one of the best collection of stories out there! A must read for fans of the Celts. Go Provident Metals!!!
A beautiful coin series – The Morrigan War, Fate & Death. Celtic Legends and Lore, Great history.
Oooh this could be my first colorized coin.
*crosses fingers*
I love Cernunnos, the Horned God. A Celtic deity of untamed nature, fertility, hunting and the cycle of life in general. There is an incredible bronzed sculpture and a bust of Cernunnos by the artist Neil Sims, which have pride of place in my mythological bronzes collection.
No centralized government? That must be mythological. How would they know who to hate? Or whom to pay? What a fairy tale LOL.
Merlin is my favorite. A friend of mine has even written a book about Merlin that just went on sale on Amazon in paperback. I’ll be ordering it next week to go with the four rounds I bought from you guys last month.
Provident Metals is my favorite supplier!
Camelot and the knights of the round.
I’m a fan of them all really. I have never followed these tells or legends, so reading bits and pieces from each randomly is very interesting. This is one of the reasons I like Provident, for the Blog!
I really like the Celtic lore coins. I have been a coin collector for years and this coin is right up there with the best.
I’ve always loved the stories of Hercules and his 12 labors.
Provident never ceases to amaze me. This series is proof of that. I’ve been a customer for 3 years now! However I will be one for the rest of my life. They are the best in the business.
My friend named her daughter Morrigan. Yeah she is kinda celti.
That is a wonderful depiction of that goddess
I’m interested in Celtic tales do to family ancestors
The OLYMPIANS! They are my favorite. I’ve watched every movie ever made in relation to them. I even love playing the video games like God of War. Its pretty amazing. PM should consider making a TITANS series. Uranus and Gaea as 5oz and the 6 sons and 6 daughters as 1oz. Either I would definitely buy it.
Knights of the round table.
Beautiful coin and I would love to own it. I am also of scottish free mason decent.
What an awesome coin. The colorization of the background makes the coin pop. Will definately display it in my living room if i win. Thanks for the contest.
Being of norse desent i love them.
A beautiful round and history. Love this theme. Provident metals offers the best private series out there!
History is power, Celts rock!