Description

Though most would argue that the Werewolf originated in Eastern European Folklore in the late 1200s, there is mention made in Greek Mythology over one thousand years earlier.  Lycaon was a king of Arcadia who, in the most popular version of the myth, tested Zeus’ omniscience by serving him the roasted flesh of Lycaon’s son Nyctimus, to see whether Zeus was truly all-knowing.

In return for these gruesome deeds, Zeus transformed Lycaon into a wolf, along with his offspring; Nyctimus was restored to life.

From the thirteenth century through the fifteenth century, and even into the 1700’s it was commonly believed that creatures such as werewolves not just could exist, but did exist.

Just how does one become a werewolf?  This also has changed throughout history.  In 20^th century modern fiction, it is commonly believed that you must be bitten by a werewolf actually to become one.  But that was not always the case.  In stories from earlier times, all one had to do was wear a belt made of wolf skin.  Another legend claimed that just drinking rainwater from a wolf paw print was enough for the transformation.  In Italy, it was believed that if someone slept outside on a Wednesday or a Friday, and the moon was full, that person would become a werewolf.  This belief led to the notion that a full moon caused a werewolf to transform.

Rye and mistletoe were commonly used to repel werewolves.  Reeds of rye were hung on doorways to keep werewolves from entering.  A plant called wolfsbane was thought to be a cure from becoming a werewolf.  In middle eastern cultures, it was thought that one could kill a werewolf if you struck it on the head with a knife.  In Germany, they believed that by calling the werewolf by his human name would return him to his proper state.  It wasn’t until 1935 that the idea of shooting a werewolf with a silver bullet was introduced.  It was first mentioned in a book, but over the years, it has become ingrained in peoples minds that it is the only way to kill a werewolf.

Though today, many find this legend silly and unbelievable, for those who lived 100’s of years ago, this was a common belief helping many of them to explain the unexplainable.

• Contains 1 oz. Troy Ounce .999 Fine Silver
• Obverse: The detailed depiction of a Werewolf under the light of a full moon, gazing hungrily down upon an Eastern European village.  “THE WEREWOLF,” across the top circumference.
• Reverse: High-Relief Intaglio Mint logo set on radial burst surrounded by stippled border reading “ONE TROY OUNCE” above and “.999 FINE SILVER,” flanked by mintage year “2023.”