803) "Medusa the Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 14.09.2018:
For more posts in the "Mythical Creatures Series, please visit the following links:
For more posts in the "Mythical Creatures Series, please visit the following links:
The Government and Treasury of the British Indian Overseas Territory has in 09/2018 issued the fourth coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures - a Silver Double Crown Coin which features Medusa, after the first three coins in the series titled "The Siren" (mermaid), "The Minotaur" and the Hydra.
The Background of the Coin Series:
The Coin Series features legendary mythical creatures that are known all over the world. These famous mythological stories, tales and legends entertain, enthrall, thrill and inspire the listeners. These ancient Myths contain morals - teaching the virtues of love, courage, strength and self-reliance. They also teach us the consequences of vices associated with jealousy, greed, deceit and treachery.
This series of five 2 Oz Fine silver Coins issued by the Pobjoy Mint, UK, on behalf of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), includes coins on - The Siren (mermaid), The Minotaur, The Hydra, Medusa the Gorgon and The Centaur.
The legend of Medusa the Gorgon:
The snake headed Gorgon, Medusa struck fear in the hearts of many brave warriors who were turned to stone just upon a single gaze.
Her name derives from an ancient Greek word meaning "Guardian". She became one of the three Gorgons or monsters in Greek mythology. She was one of the daughters of the Sea Gods - Phorcys and Ceto - and sisters of the Graeae, who were three sisters in Greek mythology who ahared one eye and one tooth among them. One of them was named Echidna and the other was Ladon. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth, except her.
Medusa was originally a beautiful young woman whose crowning glory was her long hair and she was therefore desired and courted by many suiters. Before she could be betrothed to a husband, the Sea God Poseidon (in Roman mythology Neptune) found her worshipping in the temple of Athena and ravished her. Athena, the virgin goddess was so angry that her sacred temple had been violated, that, she turned Medusa's beautiful tresses into a coil of serpents/snakes which gave her the power to turn anything who looked directly at her into stone. Medusa became pregnant with two off-spring, as a result of her violation by Poseidon.
Perseus is sent on a quest by Polydectes, the King of Seriphos with orders to fetch the head of Medusa. With the help of Athena and Hermes, and after extracting information from the Graeae, Perseus finally reaches the fabled land of the Gorgons, thought to be located on the rocky island of Sarpedon. While Medusa was asleep, Perseus - so as not to look at Medusa directly and turn into stone - saw Medusa's reflection in Athena's bronze shield as a guide and cut off her head with his sword. At this point, Medusa gave birth to two children - Chrysaor and Pegasus - who suddenly emerged from her severed neck.
Awakened by the noise of the slaying of Medusa, the Gorgons did their best to avenge the death of their sister, but could not see Perseus as he was wearing Hades Cap of invisibility and he made good his escape with the help of Hermes' winged sandals.
With the head of Medusa in his bag, Perseus retuned to Seriphos, where Polydectes was holding Perseus'es mother captive and using her as a hand-maiden. Perseus turned him and his courtiers into stone by taking Medusa's severed head from the bag and freeing his mother.
An image of the Reverse of the Silver 4 Pounds (Double Crown) Coin depicting Medusa against the background of a mosaic featuring her
Her name derives from an ancient Greek word meaning "Guardian". She became one of the three Gorgons or monsters in Greek mythology. She was one of the daughters of the Sea Gods - Phorcys and Ceto - and sisters of the Graeae, who were three sisters in Greek mythology who ahared one eye and one tooth among them. One of them was named Echidna and the other was Ladon. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth, except her.
Medusa was originally a beautiful young woman whose crowning glory was her long hair and she was therefore desired and courted by many suiters. Before she could be betrothed to a husband, the Sea God Poseidon (in Roman mythology Neptune) found her worshipping in the temple of Athena and ravished her. Athena, the virgin goddess was so angry that her sacred temple had been violated, that, she turned Medusa's beautiful tresses into a coil of serpents/snakes which gave her the power to turn anything who looked directly at her into stone. Medusa became pregnant with two off-spring, as a result of her violation by Poseidon.
Perseus is sent on a quest by Polydectes, the King of Seriphos with orders to fetch the head of Medusa. With the help of Athena and Hermes, and after extracting information from the Graeae, Perseus finally reaches the fabled land of the Gorgons, thought to be located on the rocky island of Sarpedon. While Medusa was asleep, Perseus - so as not to look at Medusa directly and turn into stone - saw Medusa's reflection in Athena's bronze shield as a guide and cut off her head with his sword. At this point, Medusa gave birth to two children - Chrysaor and Pegasus - who suddenly emerged from her severed neck.
Awakened by the noise of the slaying of Medusa, the Gorgons did their best to avenge the death of their sister, but could not see Perseus as he was wearing Hades Cap of invisibility and he made good his escape with the help of Hermes' winged sandals.
With the head of Medusa in his bag, Perseus retuned to Seriphos, where Polydectes was holding Perseus'es mother captive and using her as a hand-maiden. Perseus turned him and his courtiers into stone by taking Medusa's severed head from the bag and freeing his mother.
The Reverse and Obverse of the Silver 4 Pounds (Double Crown) Coin against a background showing the emblem of BIOT and an image of Medusa against the sea
The Reverse face of the Coin shows Medusa surrounded by figures that have been turned into stone and Neptune's trident can be seen in the surrounding waters. The High Relief and Antique Finish effects on the coin bring this mythical character to life, emphasising the venomous snakes in place of her hair.
The Obverse of the 4 Pounds (Double Crown) Silver coin
The Obverse face of the coin shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right which is an exclusive design of the Pobjoy Mint, whose initials "PM" appear below the Queen's neck.
The specifications of the coin are:
Denomination: 4 Pounds (Double Crown); Metallic Composition: 2 Oz, .999 Fine Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size: 50.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof, Ultra High Relief with Antique finish; Weight: 62.2 grams; Maximum Mintage: 650 pieces: Issued by: Pobjoy Mint, UK at their facility in Surrey; Issued on behalf of: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT); Year of issue: 2018.
The Coin is encapsulated in a unique acrylic box with an outer printed sleeve and includes a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
1) The Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: A 5 Pounds Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2014
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
Famous Battles:
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
5) The new 12-sided One Pound UK Coin introduced into circulation on 28.03.2017
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
1) The Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: A 5 Pounds Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2014
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
19) The Isle of Man: A British Crown Dependency (BCD) Coinage: A newly introduced Collector's circulation Currency Coinage Collector's set received from the Tower Mint, London, UK issued in April 2017
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
Famous Battles:
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
5) The new 12-sided One Pound UK Coin introduced into circulation on 28.03.2017
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK issues:
Links: Postage Stamps:
12) Owls: A set of 10 Stamps depicting five Owls - Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Short eared Owl (Asio flammeus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) issued by the Royal Mail Uk on 11.05.2018
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stnking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stnking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
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