1573) "Leda and the Swan", Cyprus A 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus, minted by the Hellenic Mint (National Mint of Greece): Date of Coin issue: 09.11.2020:

 1573) "Leda and the Swan", Cyprus A 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus, minted by the Hellenic Mint (National Mint of Greece): Date of Coin issue: 09.11.2020: 

The Central Bank of Cyprus has issued on 09.11.2020 Silver Proof Collector Coins which feature one of the country's most well-known mosaics depicting a scene from the Greek myth "Leda and the Swan".

The Obverse and Reverse of the Silver Coin of 5 Euros, placed against a background image of the mosaic  created in the 2nd Century AD

The mosaic captures the moment Leda, wife of the King Tindareo of Sparta, bathes in a pool near the Eurotas River and was seduced and possessed by a swan of resplendent whiteness, which had pretended to be chased by an eagle. That swan was, in fact, Zeus, the King of the Gods, who was overcome with Leda's beauty. 

The same night, Leda also had a romantic encounter with her husband and later she bore two sets of children,  the first children - Helena and Pollux - were the children of Zeus and therefore, immortal. The second set of children - Clytemnestra  and Castor - the children of her husband Tindaro, the King of Sparta were mortal.

As a tribute to this incredible tale, a beautiful mosaic was created in the Second Century AD, which decorated the floor of a magnificent Roman manor in Paphos, Cyprus. The location was both the birthplace and mythical sanctuary of the goddess of love and fertility - Aphrodite.

The remnants of the mosaic are on display at the Museum of Kouklia in Pafos district.

The Silver Coin:

The Silver Coins have been minted by the Hellenic Mint at their facilities in Athens, on behalf of the Central Bank of Cyprus, and were designed by George Stamatopoulos.

On the Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin is a representation of the mosaic - "Leda and the Swan". 

The denomination of the Coin "5 Euro" is engraved at top left.

On the Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin is depicted the Emblem of Cyprus State, which is also that of the Central Bank of Cyprus, including a dive in flight grasping an olive branch in its beak and "1960" under the dove - the year Cyprus got its independence.

A wreath encircles the shield and the name of the country "CYPRUS" (spelt in various languages) in placed on the upper periphery, below which is the year of issue - "2020".

The specifications of this Silver Coin are:

Coin Theme: Leda and the Swan; Country of issue: Cyprus; Denomination: 5 Euros; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 28.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.61 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 2,000 pieces; Shape: Round; Edge: Plain; Mint: The Hellenic Mint (National Mint of Greece); Designer: George Stamatopoulos.

Some interesting posts on Greek Coinage and Commemorative Coins:

1) Coinage of Greece: The Four Ages of Greek Coinage of Antiquity 

 2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history 

3) Ancient Olympic Games on Greek coins of Antiquity

4) Modern Greek coins: Drachmas & Leptas; Commemorative Greek Drachma coins.

5) Coinage of Greece: (Part V): Modern Coins: 1) Greek Euro Coins: ii) Greek Commemorative Euro Coins

6) Battle of Marathon: Battles that changed History Coin Series: A $2, 1 Oz Silver coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island in 2018

7) Herodotus (484 - 425 BC):" Father of History": First coin in the new coin Series titled "Greek Historians": A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Bank of Greece on 30.05.2018

8) Olympian God Apollo: Greek Mythology Coin Series: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Hellenic State Mint and issued by the Bank of Greece on 19.09.2018

9) Greece: Deposits and Loans Fund: Centenary Celebrations (1919-2019): A Commemorative 5 Euro Cupro-nickel coin issued by the Bank of Greece on 19.03.2019

10) "Demeter", Greek Mythology - "The Olympian Gods": Goddess of Agriculture: A Gold Coin of 100 Euro: Coin issue date: 03.07.2019

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) 2,500 years since the Battle of Thermopylae: A 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin and a 2 Euro Cupro-Nickel-Brass Coin brought out by the Bank of Greece: Date of Coin issue:11.03.2020

13) Ancient Greek Theatres, Greece: Hellenic Post has brought out a set of five stamps featuring the Ancient Theatres of Dodona, Nocopolis, Kassope, Amvrakia and Gitana (all in Epirus): Stamp issue date: 08.04.2020

14) "MYRTIS", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin dedicated to an 11 year old girl who was a victim of the PLague of Athens (430-426 BC) issued by the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 25.02.2020

15) Hermes, "Greek Mythology - The Olympian Gods Coin Series": A Gold Coin of 100 Euros: Coin issue date: 21.09.2020

16) "Iris Hellenica", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mint of Greece showcasing the Iris Hellenica Flower: Year of Coin issue: 2020