3463) The relics of two Mediterranean cultures - Minoan and Mycenaean appear in relief on this silver coin: "Treasures of ancient civilisations": The IV (Fourth) Silver Coin in the series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 11/2023:
Treasures of ancient civilisations:
The relief of the fourth silver coin in the series representing the Treasures of Ancient Civilizations features relics of two Mediterranean cultures - Minoan and Mycenaean.
The Minoans from the island of Crete built the oldest known European civilisation, which significantly influenced the culture of Greece and, with it, the culture of the whole of Europe.
Their sacred animal, which personified strength and fertility, was the bull. This is evidenced not only by the legend of the Minotaur, but also by a wealth of artifacts dating back more than three and a half thousand years.
Bull sculptures made of clay and gold or paintings of daredevils jumping over a bull have survived to this day. The rhyton, or ornate bull's head wine vessel, which was used for ritual libation, is also a rare artefact.
This masterful example of Minoan stone carving was made from a single piece of black soapstone, with the eyes finished with crystal and jasper. A number of Minoan monuments were published by a palace complex in the Cretan capital of Knossos.
It was here that a mysterious ceramic statue of a woman holding a snake in each hand was found. As the snake was a symbol of the underworld, it is possible that she was a goddess or priestess associated with the afterlife.
The Minoan culture died out after 1450 BC, when the Achaeans from the Greek mainland invaded Crete, bringing with them the culture of the Mycenaean civilisation.
Mycenae was a magnificent city with a massive fortification, which is said to have been the work of giant Cyclops.
The main entrance to the fortress was the Lion's Gate, a portal built around 1250 BC and dominated by a triangular shield with a relief depiction of two lionesses.
Inside the city walls, a tomb was found and within it was a breathtaking golden mask that covered the face of a noble man. The renowned archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann believed it was Agamemnon, who was a warlord in the Trojan War. However, it eventually turned out that the funerary mask was fashioned from a single piece of gold plate as early as around 1600 BC.
The Coin:
The Reverse of the 2 Dollars commemorative coin by the sculptor Ľudmila Cvengrošová presents detailed depictions of four ancient monuments - the bull rhyton, the statue of the serpent goddess, the Lion's Gate and the mask of Agamemnon.
The Obverse of the 2 Dollars commemorative coin.
As the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary attributes - the national emblem, the nominal value of 2 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2023.
The products are usually stored in protective capsules, but in this case we have made an exception.
Because coins from the Treasures of Ancient Civilizations series feature high relief, the Mint wants to give the buyer an the opportunity to touch it!
In addition to the antique finish, the silver coin is also covered with a special protective coating that will make sure it doesn't lose its shine…
The Specifications of the Coin are:
Country of issue: Niue Island; Collectors set/Theme: "Treasures of ancient civilisations."; Denominational value: 2 Dollars - NZD); Designer (Obv & Rev): Ľudmila Cvengrošová; Numbered issue: No; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): No; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Veneer: Yes; Weight: 42 g; Diameter/Size: 50.00 mm; Packaging: Grey paper box; Date of issue: 11/ 2023; Mintage: 500 pcs.
The Presentation Case/Box - Front & Open. The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is also included.
4) The Dolmens of Pedro Gentil with artefacts from Svodin and Sturov: "Treasures od ancient civilisations": The VI (Sixth) Silver Coin in the Deriesd: Dzate/Year of Coin issue: 05/2024
5) The Egyptian Landmarks - the Pyramids of Giza and the statue of a seated scribe - appear in relief on this silver coin: "Treasures odf ancient civilisations": The III (Third) Silver Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 09/2023
6) Two prehistoric monuments - the Venus of Willendorf and the Lascaux cove paintings appear in the relief on this silver coin: 'Treasures of ancient civilisations": The V (Fifth) Silver Coin in the series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 02/2024
7) The relics of two Mediterranean Cultures - Minoan and Mycenaean appear in relief on this silver coin: "Treasures of Ancient Civilisatioms": The IV (Fourth) Silver Coin in the series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 11/2023
Links to "The Coin Series - The Prehistoric World - The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards:
1) "Plesiosaurs", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Serkies - The prehistoric Worfld - The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD): Eleventh Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 08/2024
2) "ARCHAEOPTERYX", Niue Island: Coin minted by the Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The prehistoric world": "The Wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar -NZD): Eighth Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 11/2023
3) "Brachiosaurus", Niue Island: Coin Minted by: The Czech Mint: Coin Series - The prehistoric World of Mesozoin Lizards": Denomination: $1 One Dollar - NZD): Ninth Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2024
4) "Stegosaurus", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The prehistoric world": "The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD): Tenth Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 08/2024
5) "Tyrannosaurus", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The Prehistoric World": "The Wondrous World of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $ 1 (One Dollar - NZD): First Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 05/2022
6) "Triceratops", Niue Island: Coin minted By: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The prehistoric World": "The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD): Second Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 06/2022
7) "Ankylosaurus", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The prehistoric world": "The wonderful world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD): Third Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07/2022
8) "Pachycephalosaurus", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The prehistoric world": "The wondrous world of Mesozoin Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD): Fourth Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 09/2022
9) "Parasaurolophus", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - THe rehistoric world":"The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards: Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD) Fifth Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023:
10) "Maiasaura", Niue Island: Coin Minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series: "The prehistoric world": "The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD) : Sixth Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07/2023:
11) "Pteronadon", Niue Island: Coin minted by: The Czech Mint: "Coin Series - The prehistoric World": "The wondrous world of Mesozoic Lizards": Denomination: $1 (One Dollar - NZD): Seventh Coin in the Series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 08/2023
Links to Seven Wonders of the Ancient World:
Greek Mythology Coin Series:
Links to Signs of the Zodiac Coin Series issued by the Czech Mint posts:
For other interesting posts on Coins issued by the Slovakia National Bank, please visit the following links:
For other interesting posts on Coins issued by the Czech National Bank, please visit the following links:
Links to posts on "Dog Breeds":
Santosh Khanna has commented:
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DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
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