4420) EU Council Presidency, Cyprus. 01.01.2025 to 30.06.2026: 5 Euro Silver Proof Coins Feature the Myth of Queen Rigaina: Date/Year of Coin issue: 16.03.2026:
The Central Bank of Cyprus release new silver collector coins with an important EU-theme.
On the 1st January 2026, Cyprus has officially assumed the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Cyprus assumed the Presidency from Denmark and their tenure will conclude on the 30th June with Ireland taking over from Cyprus.
Each EU member state will assume the EU rotating Presidency once every thirteen and a half years.
During these rotating intervals, each member state to hold the presidency has an opportunity to advance their agenda subject to the agreement of all EU-member states.
In December 2025, Cyprus announced they will advance an agenda through five interconnected pillars.
The first in particular emphasises autonomy through security, defence, and preparedness, encompassing support for Ukraine, advancement of the EU's defence industrial framework, and implementation of the White Paper on European Defence and the Defence Readiness Roadmap by 2030.
The Presidency will also prioritise strengthening transatlantic relations and
Euro-NATO cooperation as cornerstones of European security.
Featured as a theme on the coin’s design is the myth of Rigaina, a foundational element of Cypriot folklore, focusing on a strikingly beautiful but mysterious, all-powerful queen.
- Tales of Rigaina are associated with numerous ruins across Cyprus, particularly fortified castles and ancient sites, casting her as both a wise ruler and, at times, a ruthless figure.
- Rigaina, the Queen of many faces is depicted variously in oral traditions, sometimes as a benevolent sovereign who built incredible structures, and other times as a cursed or cruel sorceress.
- The myth is typically used to explain the origins of various medieval ruins in Cyprus, such as Buffavento, Kantara, and St. Hilarion. She is often said to have lived in these remote castles.
- According to popular belief, Rigaina hid vast treasures within her castles before fleeing or dying, often guarded by curses, magical creatures, or hidden, winding passages.
- The myth is also deeply embedded in the Cypriot landscape, blending historical memory of Byzantine or Lusignan periods with mythical elements.
The Coin:
The Proof Silver Coins have been minted by the Minting facilities of the Bank of Greece (BOC) in Athens and on behalf of The Central Bank of Cyprus (CPC). The Coin has been designed by George Stamatopoulo.
The Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin depicts a stylised depiction of a crowned Queen Rigaina overlooking one of her stronghold castles atop a mountain.
The inscription "ΤΑ ΚΆΣΤΡΑ ΤΗΣ ΡΉΓΑΙΝΑΣ" ("Rigaina’s Castles") is placed along the left periphery with "ΚΥΠΡΟΣ · KIBRIS" placed above Queen Rigaina’s image.
Blog Editor's Note:
(The term "Kibris" is a variant of "Cyprus", which is an island nation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The name "Cyprus" is believed to derive from the Greek word "kypros", meaning "copper", reflecting the island's rich copper deposits in ancient times.
The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Mycenaeans and Romans. The name "Kibris" is used in Turkish, while "Cyprus" is the standard term used in Greek).
The denomination "€5" is shown to the left of the primary design.
The official logo of the Cypriot EU presidency designed by graphic artist Marios Kouroufexis is placed to the right of Rigiana.
The logo itself is shown with a golden applied colour and represents the 27 EU member states that come together to signify unity, solidarity, and closer integration, as well as evoking the Cypriot sun to symbolise light, energy, and renewal.
The Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin features the emblem of the Central Bank of Cyprus which is centred. Above the emblem is the text "CYPRUS · ΚΥΠΡΟΣ · KIBRIS" and the year "2026" is placed just under the text.
The specifications of this Coin are:
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Maximum Mintage
5 Euro .925
Silver 28.2 g. 38.6 mm. Proof 2000 pieces
- Available to order from the 16th March, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
Some interesting Posts on Cyprus:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and descriptive post."
Thank you so much Trikha sahab.
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