Coins

'Deer's Cry' or 'St Patrick's Hymn' was the well known prayer which inspired Archibald Knox, one of the Isle of Man's most famous artists, to create an outstanding volume of illuminated lettering. The work reflects Knox's deep religious beliefs and is thus a unique expression of the man himself.

The design on this coin which is taken from a tenth century cross shows a belted figure carrying a book and a cross while trampling on a serpent, next to the early christian symbol of a fish. Opposite Odin is devoured by the wolf Fenrir at the Battle of Ragnarok. This design appears to reflect the decline of Pagan beliefs and the coming of Christianity.

The symbol of the Isle of Man, the Triskeles, with three bells symbolising the church bells with the Inscription Millennium bells.

The most outstanding of all the Manx Celtic pre-norse carvings, the fragment of an altar frontal shown on this coin was discovered on the Calf of Man in 1773 and purchased for the Manx Museum in 1956.

Rushen Abbey is the most significant medieval religious site on the Isle of Man. It was the most developed monastic site on the Island and the most important medieval documents relating to the Isle of Man are associated with the Abbey. The Abbey was dissolved in the 16th Century and was stripped of all materials of any value, including all the lead from the roof and the glass from the windows.

The imposing 13th Century cathedral of St German forms a major part of the body of ruins on St Patrick's Isle. The cathedral fell into ruins after the Restoration. During the mid 19th Century, plans were drawn up to have it restored, but nothing came of them due to powerful clergymen in Douglas, who viewed the site of St German's as unsuitable for a cathedral.

The distinctive type of design of the head of a cross, as depicted on the five pence piece, was devised by the Scandinavian sculptor Gaut. This ornate treatment is acknowledged as typically Manx as it is found nowhere else but on the Island.

Herring fishing has always been vital to the economy of the Isle of Man, so much so that a census of 1881 showed that 13,000 of the Manx population of 53,000 were directly or indirectly dependent on fishing. 'Clasht Rooin , O Hiarn' are the first words of the Manx Fishermen's Evening Hymn, and mean 'Hear us O'Lord' when translated. The Manx fishing boat cutting though the choppy waters which is pictured on the coin hails from around 1840, and was commonly known as a 'lugger', because of its lug sail.

The first missionaries to the Island built tiny chapels known as Keeils on burial ground. These Keeils were used by the priests for praying, although they would have preached to and baptised their flock outside. One hundred and seventy four such Keills are recorded, with the remains of thirty five still able to be identified today.