The Osebergexcavation 100 years

Cataloge nr : Nr.42

Issue no. 42
Mintage: 800 covers
The viking ship "Osebergskipet" was found on the farm Oseberg close to Tønsberg and excavated in 1904. This grave find is regarded as the biggest find in the Nordic countries. The ship is dated to year 820 and was burried in year 834. The ship was 21,5 meter long, 5 meter wide and 1,5 meter hight.

The Oseberg find was of great importance to the young nation of Norway in the early 19-hundreds. The greate profile of the bow on the Osebergship are used as a symbole for a proud nation of Norway. When the new 20-kroner coin was to be issued it was therefore natural to use this bow of the ship as the main motif.

17th of September, the Post issued a series of three stamps to commemorate this 100 years jubileé. We have used one of these stamps showing the find 100 years ago and a 20-kroer coin issued in 2003 (no ordinary 20-kroner coins has been issued in 2004)

The cover is cancelled by the special stamp used by the post
on the day of issue.