What are/is a Triskeles?" you ask? Triskeles is a symbol of stability. As a word it's both singular and plural. In art form it depicts man's relationship to God (divine guidance, spiritual joy of peace and continuity of Heaven and Earth). When you hear the word Triskeles, you should think of the Isle of Man. It's the national symbol of the Isle of Man. Take a look-see at this photo of an Isle of Man 1978 1 Pound coin. Those 3 legs that seem to be running in a circle on the reverse is a Triskeles (photo courtesy of worldcoingallery.com): http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/coine.php?image=img15/93-44&desc=Isle%20of%20Man%20km44%201%20Pound%20(1978-1981)%20Triskeles&query=Isle%20Man%20triskeles One Pound Coins authorized by the Isle of Man bearing the Triskeles on their reverses were first issued in 1978 and minted through 1981. Other Isle of Man coins also bear a Triskeles on them, some a bit smaller including miniatures. Being you've already seen the 1978 One Pound coin, here's a look at a coin especially produced to ring in the New Millrnnium (photo courtesy of worldcoingallery.com) year 2000: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...lls&src=Marc Kuppens&query=Isle Man triskeles There's more to Triskeles than an application to coin designs. To understand the use of Triskeles on anything lets open our dictionaries: Merriam-Webster Main Entry: tri·skel·i·on Pronunciation: \trī-ske-lē-ən, tri-\ Variant(s): or tri·skele \trī-skēl, tri-\ Function: noun Etymology: triskelion from New Latin, from Greek triskelēs three-legged, from tri- + skelos leg; triskele from Greek triskelēs Free On-line Dictionary: tri·skel·i·on (tri-skelion, tri-) also tri·skele (tri skel, tris kel) n. pl. tri·skel·i·a (-sk) also tri·skeles A figure consisting of three curved lines or branches, or three stylized human arms or legs, radiating from a common center. [from Greek triskeles, three-legged, from TRI- + skelos, leg.] Lexic.us: Definition of Triskeles 1. NOUN. A figure comsisting of three stylized human arms or legs (or three bent lines) radiating from a center. It is the national symbol for the Isle of Man, which is located in the Irish Sea. The "three legs embowed " of the heraldic triskelion are represented in armour, "spurred and garnished or (gold)." To help you understand more, look at these objects bearing Triskeles: (photos courtesy of Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Three_Legs_of_Man_-_Triskelion.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Isle_of_Man_Flag.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ManxCarRegistrationPlate.jpg Other Countries' Flags: (photos courtesy of Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Sicily.svg The following flags bear artistic adaptations of Triskeles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ryukyu_Islands_flag_1875-1879_cswb.svg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Ingushetia.svg This flag's Triskeles is an adaptation combining the Trinity of God and His number of completion (7): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Three_sevens.svg Beyond Flags: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US-DeptOfTransportation-Seal.svg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Irish_Air_Corps_roundel.svg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TGPseal.png http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fuessens_Wappen.gif Artistic renderings (stickers, jewelry, etc.) of Triskeles (photos courtesy of Lesic.us): http://www.continuumarts.com/images/639px-Triskele-Symbol-spiral.svg.png http://www.cuttingedge.org/Triskele_Circle.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Triskele-hollow-triangle.png http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv336/Pandorinha3/triskele1.jpg http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/14/5/AAAAC8pkZFwAAAAAABRbpw.jpg http://www.hernescraftes.com/Plates and Plaques/SMALL Triskele Plate.jpg http://www.mycharmsonline.com/x-cart/images/P/sun_triskele_pendant.JPG http://www.patagoniagifts.com/files/d_2552.jpg http://www.bellchamber.net/catalogue/BaileyTriskeleDiamd3.jpg http://www.holisticshop.co.uk/image_L/JEPSTP088-L1.jpg http://beowulfjewelryshop.com/images/b celtic triskele earrings.jpg http://symboldictionary.net/library/graphics/symbols/triskele2.jpg And, yes, a tattoo: http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs15/f/2007/012/f/0/Tattoo_Crow_Triskele_by_faerywitch.jpg Before Isle of Man's useage of Triskeles on coins, The Greek city-states, Macedonian empires and neighboring nations produced coins bearing Triskeles as the main device on the reverse or in smaller sizes including miniature (alone or incused in squares or circles). As to our subject "Coins and Triskeles" we need to travel back in time (ca. 480 B.C.) to the Greek City State Aspendos or Aspendus. Look there on the ground just left of that ox-cart wheel rut. Isn't that a tiny bronze Obol? There's a Triskeles on the obverse, see! (Photo courtesy of Asia Minor Coins Gallery): http://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=264&pos=1 Following photos of ancient coins bearing Triskeles courtesy of Ancient Coins and Antiquities: Lycia, 480-440BC, AR Stater (9.77g). Pegasos flying rt./Triskeles in circular incuse, SNG von Aulock 4090. Centered on slightly oval flan, light tone, part of one arm of triskeles off due to flan shape, nice Pegasos. http://www.ancient-art.com/images/gs180.jpg Pamphylia, ca 370-333 BC, AR Stater (10.7g). obv.Two wrestlers, KA between, rev.: Slinger, triskeles, city name behind: http://www.ancient-art.com/images/gs749.jpg Following photos courtesy of Wild Winds: Lycia, Dynasties of Kuprilli AR Stater. Circa 470-440 BC. Wild boar standing right, head lowered; IWMO on its side, P below / KOP-RL-E (retrograde), triskeles; all within incuse square: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lycia/dynasts/kuprilli/Jameson_2319.jpg Dynasties of Lycia Kuprillii AR Tetrobol. ca 470-440 BC. Uncertain mint. Winged goat flying left; triskeles before / KO-PR-LLE, triskeles within incuse square with dotted border: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lycia/dynasts/kuprilli/Leu54-152.jpg Lycian Dynasties, Kuprilli. Ca. 460-440 B.C. AR Stater. Xanthos mint. Bull left, triskeles above: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lycia/dynasts/kuprilli/SNGHel_433.jpg Kuprilli. Circa 470-440 BC. AR Tetrobol. Bearded male head right (Kuprilli?), in crested Thracian helmet; triskeles below / Triskeles within incuse square: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lycia/dynasts/kuprilli/SNGvA_4153.jpg Lycia, Dynasties of Kuprilli AR Stater. Circa 470-440 BC. Two leaping dolphins; triskeles above & below, monogram / K-O, triskeles; lotus flower in corner, all in dotted incuse square: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lycia/dynasts/kuprilli/Unlisted_Stater_01.jpg Thraco-Macedonian Tribes, The Derrones AR Dodekadrachm. ca 479-465 BC. Ox-cart driven left by male driver, who holds goad; crested Corinthian helmet above / Triskeles right; palmette between legs; all within incuse square: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/thraco_macedonian_tribes/derrones/AMNG_7.jpg Now lets get back to the Isle of Man coins. I'm not going to list every coin bearing Triskeles on it/them, but will produce text along with a photo link to the most important (in my judgement). All photos courtesy of worldcoingallery.com unless noted. I am omitting Isle of Man bullion coins, i.e. Gold Angels. This 1985 10 Pence bears five miniature Triskeles on it; four on the obverse (two at the top (above crown middle and top right of the crown and two at the bottom before and after date) and one to the right of the ram's neck on the reverse. Circulation and proofs were struck in Copper-Nickel (28.5mm). Silver (0.3866 oz. ASW) proofs were issued. (photo courtesy of worldcoingallery.com): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...e (1985-1987) Loagthyn ram&query=Isle Man ram 1992-199510 Pence were struck in Copper-Nickel measuring 24.5mm bearing the four miniature Triskeles on the obverse and a full-sized Triskeles on the reverse. Same size proofs were authorized dated 1992 composed of silver (0.2393 oz. ASW), gold (0.4014 AGW), and Platinum (0.4726 oz. APW). http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...37 10 Pence (1992,1995)&query=Isle Man km 337 From 2000 through 2003 24.5mm Copper-Nickel 10 Pence were minted bearing three miniature Triskeles on the obverse (1 above crown, 1 before date and 1 after date. Take a look: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...t. Germans Cathedral&query=Isle Man cathedral In1985 20 Pence (21.4mm Copper-Nickel) were struck through 1987 bearing the four miniature Triskeles on the obverse for circulation and in proof (1985 only). Also struck in proof: silver (0.1487 oz. ASW), gold (0.1474 oz. AGW), and platinum (0.1527 oz. APW). http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...87) &src=Han van Hattum&query=Isle Man km 147 The 20 Pence w/combine reverse has the four miniature Triskeles on obverse: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...Farm combine harvester&query=Isle Man combine 50 Pence coins (30mm Copper-Nickel) of 1971 through 1978 with Viking Ship reverse had no Triskeles. 1979 witnessed the production of two different Viking Ship reverses: No Triskeles: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...(1976-1979) Viking Ship&query=Isle Man viking Triskeles on Sail: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...979) Day of Tynwald&query=Isle of Man Tynwald The 1979 w/Triskekes on sail was also minted (10,000 for circulation and 5,000 proofs) in Silver (0.4609 oz. ASW) and Platinum (0.9285 oz. APW) proofs. 1985 ushered in a 50 Pence coin bearing the 4 miniature Triskeles on the obverse and a small Triskeles at the top center of the reverse. Besides the circulation strikes in Copper-Nickel, proofs were also struck in Copper-Nickel, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Copper-Nickel business strikes w/same design were minted through 1987: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...5-1987) Viking Longship&query=Isle Man viking From this photo onward, I'm leaving the fun of finding Triskeles on the coins, to you: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...7) Motorcyclists&query=Isle Man motorcyclists http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...e (2004+) Milners Tower&query=Isle Man milner http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... Grootswangers&query=Isle of Man turtle doves http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...TT Motorcycle Races&query=Isle Man motorcycle http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...lls&src=Marc Kuppens&query=Isle Man triskeles http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...racecars&src=Marc Kuppens&query=Isle Man race http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...l Castle&src=Andrej Smrdu&query=Isle Man Peel http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...n (1976) Horse-drawn tram&query=Isle Man tram http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... (1977) Silver Jubilee&query=Isle Man jubilee http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...9) Sir William Hillory&query=Isle Man Hillory http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1980) Derby Bicentennial&query=Isle Man derby http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...iana&src=Wayne Bartosh&query=Isle Man wedding http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...Soccer&src=Don Evans&query=Isle of Man soccer And the final circulation coin: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ce&src=Roger Lee&query=Isle Man parliamentary A bonus coin (bullion gold Angel) photo (courtesy Coin News): http://www.coinnews.net/2009/10/19/2009-isle-of-man-christmas-angel-gold-coin/ Did you enjoy? Clinker
That's an excellent writeup. I really enjoyed reading it. Good photos too. I do not remember hearing the term "triskeles" before. Thanks for the learning experience.
Oddly enough, Robert Dunlop was recently killed during the Isle of Man TT Roadrace in the 250GP Class ( over 140mph...making him one of several of the famous racing Dunlop family to die in that race...his brother Joey won the TT appx 17 times before being killed while racing at 170mph... If you ever get a chance to watch the Isle of Man TT Race, do it.
Hi Art! Sure glad to see your username and comments. A virus infected my XP and for three weeks I couldn't post a new article, but I'm finally baaaack:mouth: C;inker
To a friend, Treashunt Glad you read it and commented. I happily and humbly "thank" you :bow: Clinker
On fb coin group there is a triskeles one pound gold coin. The owner has no paperwork. But has photos of the coin. It is a 1978 Isle of Man gold triskeles coin. No info can be found on mintage numbers.
