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!
love the way it looks.
Sure, I’ll take some free silver!
Stories about trees.
Here
Enjoying the coins from Japan! Beautiful! Keep up the great work and keep me broke. Lol.
Anybody that like’s history is going to love this coin especially when it preserves cultures that have almost forgotten. Beautiful coin.
OMG I love Mythology and the coin look super too ^^
Looks awesome!
I am posting this out of sadness for I love silver coins of any kind !!!!!!! I know I have NO chance at all in winning a coin from your company ………… Thanks for giving whoever posts on here some thoughts that they MIGHT win a coin !!!!!!!!
A beautiful coin! Destined to be a collectible!
Like the coins.
Beautiful piece. I never win anything…but, I love you guys and silver so lets make up!
Vlad the Impaler!
The music, dancing and costumes of the Celtic women on the PBS special programming is at once joyous and haunting. Their voices are awe inspiring and their performance tells the story of a lost people and way of life, bringing to mind skilled warriors and their beautiful women. When I listen to that wonderous music my heart fills win emotion and my eyes with tears. What a special gift has been granted to them to share such beauty and wonder with us. How wonderful that so much of such a rich history of these remarkable people has been handed down.
cool coin!..the artwork is off the charts,,i was always a stickler for mythology and viking style coins..the detail just gets better and better every year with these new collector coins…
Finn mc cool and the fenians of Erin in the castle of fear duhb!
History captured in silver
The legend of the Irish dragon Master Stoorworm is interesting, but how he met his death at the hands of a brave lad and how Iceland was created as a result really pulls the story into the realm of myth and legend.
That’s pretty neat.
To be honest, I do not know much about Celtic myths and legends. So I went to searching for Celtic myths and really liked the story about, “The Harp of the Dagda.” If you happen to read this myth, you too will find it very entertaining. Enjoy 🙂
Cool looking coin!!
Vikings stories
This is an exquisite series of coins, I love the detail, as well as the subject matter, and the stories behind it. They are going to make an excellent addition to the rounds already adorning the cases on my mantel.
Love the art.
When the trees fall the people will rage gold and silver will rule that age
Very nice
There are so many legends and mythological tales to chose from. If I had to chose, my 2 favourite would be The Lost City of Atlantis and Excalibur
What a spellbinding coin of Ms. Morrigan. Very powerful and beautiful !
Beautiful coin!
My favorite myth has to be Rasputin. Did he really escape death as many times as claimed?