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!
Can’t wait to hear from you on September 18th
The Morrigan is my favorite.
I really like the Celtic Lore series!
Ragnar haha!!
What a gorgeous fine looking. I am a silver stacker, I have been acumulating since I was a teenager, I can’t wait for these new rounds.
Nidhogger…..we could use some nidhoggers now to gnaw at the corrupt tree of our government oathbreakers.
Oo shinny
love everything celtic
The riches within the Lands are what the Celts fought to keep and what the Romans fought to take.
Really nice looking coin!
The Magic Cloak of St. Brigid.
Provident Metals and friends might be interested know the Celts were quite adept at refining iron, and other precious metals, for their ornate and superior weaponry.
“Aside from fairly common tribal warfare, the Celts were actually quite civilized people, they are often credited with the invention of soap. Celt’s were some of the ancient world’s most talented metal workers and were quite famous for their fine swords and chainmail as well as many intricate works of art. During the La Tene era (~450 BCE-100 BCE), Celtic culture was geographically the most widespread in Europe and certainly one of the more advanced. It was during the La Tene period that Brennus led the Sennones tribe, among many others (perhaps even some Germanic tribes), into Italy and sacked Rome 386-387 BCE before being repelled and continuing on east to ravage the Balkans and parts of Greece before settling in Turkey in the region known as Galatia.” —https://deadliestwarrior.wikia.com/wiki/Celt [not secured by HTTPS].
Beautiful coin! It’s nice to have the history of the Celts written in there too, makes the coin more meaningful.
I’d never heard of the Morrigan until the name was repeated to me in dreams. A few months earlier, a very large black bird landed next to me and dropped a glossy black stone with a transparent core running threw it. I gave it a shiny coin in return. Later, I realized the connection between the bird and Morrigan. That’s my favorite story of the deity, of course. Of traditional stories, I’m fond of the cycle of tales of the interaction between the Morrigan and Cúchulainn during the war for Ulster.
I like the looks of it but not sure how it might look in person. I do like the topic!
I like it! The images on the coin have real power!
I would love to win this coin!
Silver with color would be a great addition to my small but awesome collection. I would not mnd getting picked one bit…
I Love Celtic Lore.
Finn McCool is my wife’s favorite character. I am not up on the lore as much as her. But the coin does look impressive.
Wow beautiful I have to have one or more to my collection
win one for the gipper
Very very nice looking coin!
Awesome craftsmanship!!!
Going to have to go with The Tale of Darth Plagus the Wise! Some Star Wars rounds would be awesome. Just throwing it out there. Good luck negotiating with the Mouse though!
The Zombucks has been one of my favorite sets that I collected.
Wish me luck!!
What an awesome looking coin! Keep up the great work 🙂
King Ragnar!
Love the stories and mystery surrounding the Knights Templar!
thanks for the free silver
That’ is AwEsoMe! FrEe SiLvEr
I love Provident Metals. I will always purchase from you, you have the best inventory and prices out there. Keep it up!