Introducing Nordic Creatures, a new five coin series presented by Anonymous Mint and Julie Lindquist.  Nordic Creatures features the artwork of world-renowned Artist and Illustrator Howard David Johnson.  His realistic illustrations are forever captured in .999 fine silver.  To add dimension and detail, three dimensional sculpts have been crafted by Master Sculptor Luigi Badia.  These exquisite limited edition coins have been struck at Osborne Coinage, America's oldest private mint.  Nordic Creatures brings alive myths and legends long forgotten.  The Dragon Níðhöggr premiers the series as the first coin.  The reverse design is The World Tree, Yggdrasil.

The Dragon Níðhöggr is portrayed on the obverse of the coin.  In Norse mythology, there was a world beyond Hel called Niflheim, the grimmest of all places, where those who were wicked were thrown. The Dragon Níðhöggr dwells in Niflheim where he gnaws at the roots of The World Tree.  The word Níðhöggr means malice striker - dragon of destruction.  The dragon is said to chew the corpses of murderers and oath breakers.  It is believed that the roots of The World Tree are trapping the beast, keeping him from the world.

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The World Tree, Yggdrasil, is portrayed on the reverse of the coin series.  According to Norse mythology, Yggdrasil connects the nine Norse worlds.  Yggdrasil is an immense ash tree whose branches reach far into the heavens.  Its three roots grow in three directions - under one root is Hel and Niflheim, under the second root the frost giants, and humankind under the third.  Beneath the root that reaches the frost giants is a well containing much knowledge and wisdom.  Many creatures live within The World Tree, and the great ash suffers more agony then men can know, a stag bites it above, at its side it rots, and the Dragon Níðhöggr gnaws it below.  The three Norns of fate care for the great ash.  It was at Yggdrasil that Odin founded the runic alphabet making it possible for men to communicate through written words.  Being the most holy of all places, the gods assemble there daily to decide what is just and unjust.  After their daily council, they would travel the rainbow bridge home to Asgard, land of the gods.