Silver Stag of Aerys II Targaryen Coin - The Mad King

This small silver "stag" piece is from the mythical realm of Westeros late in the tenure of the Targaryen kings, some 280 years after the unification of that land by the event known historically as Aegon's Conquest. Westeros is the scene of events taking place in the series of novels by author George R.R. Martin This particular piece is struck in 1/10 troy ounce of pure .999 fine silver, about 21mm in diameter, done in primitivistic "town" style with coarse engraving and a stylized portrait of King Aerys II, The king wears a crown and carries a boar-spear and firepot. Aerys II was often known as the "Mad King" and was known for burning his perceived enemies to death in court. He was murdered by his own king's guard Jaime Lannister (the event is discussed by Jaime in episode 4 of the HBO series) and Aerys II was (understandably) the last in a long sequence of Targaryen kings. The reverse of this piece shows a simple stag done in the "country" style (as contrasted with the high-art style of Aegon I, the first Targaryen king), the stag symbolizing the denomination of the coin... one "stag". If you have not had a chance to catch any of George's novels, they are widely available in bookstores and libraries. The series is called A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE and currently there are six sequential novels out of a planned series of seven. The first is A GAME OF THRONES, which is also the title of the hit HBO series based on the books. There is also a series of comic books called "The Hedge Knight" which takes place in the same realm. This fantasy coinage is officially licensed through George R.R. Martin and brought to you by Shire Post, specializing in crafting strange and unusual artifacts from all over the universes for the purpose of making the fantasy come alive.