Iceland 5-AURAR (KM24)

Skate

A Skate is a cartilaginous fish that is closely related to sharks. The skate on this coin is Raja radiata, known locally as the Starry ray.

Apparently, a custom in Iceland is to cut off the flappers of the skate, bury them somewhere for six months, then if you can find them again, you eat them. Actually, putrefied (smelly, rotten) skate is a special treat served on Saint Thorlak's Day.

The obverse of this coin features the Monster Bird of the Fjord of Isles, one of the four mythological guardian spirits of Iceland.


Diameter
15 mm
Composition
Bronze
Catalogue #
KM24
Obverse Legend
FIMM AURAR ÍSLAND 1981
Reverse Legend
5

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