1106) The Temple of Hera (or Heraoin), Greece: "Cultural Heritage Series": A 50 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Hellenic State Mint on behalf of the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 08.10.2019:
The Bank of Greece has issued on 08.10.2019 a new Gold Collector Coin that is part of a themed Coin Series titled - "Cultural Heritage".
This coin showcases the Temple of Hera (or Heraion) located on the island of Samos. Once one of the mightiest States in the Greek world during the days of Polycrates, it was also a formidable rival of Athens. In terms of modern Greek history, Samos was one of the first locales to take up arms against Ottoman occupation during the war of independence.
The Obverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin placed against the background of the ruins of the Temple of Hera (or Heraion)
On the island of Samos, there was only one town existing in ancient times, that of the walled citadel with its harbour, which was the source of most of its wealth, and on the other side at the shore of the sea was the Heraion.
It was this place that was said to be the birthplace of Hera and where her wedding with Zeus had taken place. It is one of the most important sanctuaries to the Goddess of Hera in Greece and the Cult of Samian Hera dates as far back as the Bronze Age.
The first great Temple of Hera, measuring 100 feet in length - the Hektompedon - was erected in the 8th Century B.C. and rebuilt in the 7th Century B.C.
A new colossal structure replaced it with dimensions of 52.5 metres x 105 metres (170.0 feet x 345.0 feet). The new structure featured a double colonnade on all sides, a dipteral and was built in 570 B.C. - 560 B.C. by famed architects Rhoikos and Theodoros. This unique temple - a masterpiece of Ionic architecture - was destroyed by an earthquake a few years after its completion.
Under the tyrant Polycrates of Samos (reigned 540 B.C. - 522 B.C.), construction began on a new dipteral temple of even larger dimensions - 55.16 metres x 108.63 metres (180.0 feet x 354 feet), which was supported by 155 columns of 20 metres (65.0 feet) in height. Although, it was never completed, the Polycrates temple was much admired throughout antiquity.
The first preliminary archaeological excavations in modern times of this site took place in 1890-92 A.D. by the Greek Archeological Society of Athens. The full extent of the third temple's foundations was not revealed until 1910-14 A.D. thanks to an initiative launched by the Royal Museum of Berlin.
The site is presently a protected UNESCO historical location and was included as Heroin of Samos on the World Heritage List since 1992.
The Commemorative Coin:
The Hellenic State Mint has minted these 50 Euro Gold Coins at their facilities in Athens on behalf of the Bank of Greece.
The Reverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin depicts an image of a stylised recreation of a Drachma Coin of Samos, with its distinct lion's face.
The denomination of the coin "50 EURO" is mentioned on the lower periphery spelt in Greek.
The Obverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin depicts the ruins of the Temple of Hera along with the text in Greek - "Heraion of Samos") placed on both sides of the depiction of the actual temple column. The text - "Hellenic Republic" (is mentioned in Greek) encircling the National Crest placed to the left of the temple.
The year of issue "2019" and the mint mark of the Hellenic Mint are placed to the right of the column.
The specifications of this Gold Coin are:
Denomination: 50 Euro; Metal Composition: .9999 Gold (Ag); Weight: 1.0 gram; Diameter/Size:14.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage:1,500 pieces; Designer: M. Antonatou; Mint: Hellenic State Mint; Minted on behalf of: Bank of Greece; Year of issue: 2019.
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a matte-polished wood custom case and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
On the island of Samos, there was only one town existing in ancient times, that of the walled citadel with its harbour, which was the source of most of its wealth, and on the other side at the shore of the sea was the Heraion.
It was this place that was said to be the birthplace of Hera and where her wedding with Zeus had taken place. It is one of the most important sanctuaries to the Goddess of Hera in Greece and the Cult of Samian Hera dates as far back as the Bronze Age.
The first great Temple of Hera, measuring 100 feet in length - the Hektompedon - was erected in the 8th Century B.C. and rebuilt in the 7th Century B.C.
A new colossal structure replaced it with dimensions of 52.5 metres x 105 metres (170.0 feet x 345.0 feet). The new structure featured a double colonnade on all sides, a dipteral and was built in 570 B.C. - 560 B.C. by famed architects Rhoikos and Theodoros. This unique temple - a masterpiece of Ionic architecture - was destroyed by an earthquake a few years after its completion.
Under the tyrant Polycrates of Samos (reigned 540 B.C. - 522 B.C.), construction began on a new dipteral temple of even larger dimensions - 55.16 metres x 108.63 metres (180.0 feet x 354 feet), which was supported by 155 columns of 20 metres (65.0 feet) in height. Although, it was never completed, the Polycrates temple was much admired throughout antiquity.
The first preliminary archaeological excavations in modern times of this site took place in 1890-92 A.D. by the Greek Archeological Society of Athens. The full extent of the third temple's foundations was not revealed until 1910-14 A.D. thanks to an initiative launched by the Royal Museum of Berlin.
The site is presently a protected UNESCO historical location and was included as Heroin of Samos on the World Heritage List since 1992.
The Commemorative Coin:
The Hellenic State Mint has minted these 50 Euro Gold Coins at their facilities in Athens on behalf of the Bank of Greece.
The denomination of the coin "50 EURO" is mentioned on the lower periphery spelt in Greek.
The year of issue "2019" and the mint mark of the Hellenic Mint are placed to the right of the column.
The specifications of this Gold Coin are:
Denomination: 50 Euro; Metal Composition: .9999 Gold (Ag); Weight: 1.0 gram; Diameter/Size:14.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage:1,500 pieces; Designer: M. Antonatou; Mint: Hellenic State Mint; Minted on behalf of: Bank of Greece; Year of issue: 2019.
Other interesting posts on Greek Coinage and Commemorative Coins:
11) Alcaeus of Mytilene, Greek Poet (620-560 BC), Greece: "Greek Culture Coin Series" : A Silver Proof Crown Coin issued by the Bank of Greece:Issue Date: 17.09.2019
12) The Temple of Hera (or Heraion), Greece: "Cultural Heritage Series": A 50 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Hellenic State Mint on behalf of the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 08.10.2019
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