4477) “The Mask of Agamemnon", "Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία) of Greece: The Bank of Greece (BOG) has issued a 50€ Coin minted by Bank of Greece (IETA – Νομισματοκοπείο): Date/Year of Coin issue: 2026:
The Greeks had an eventful and tumultuous history, littered with wars, foreign invasions and conquests, until they founded the modern Greek state in the 19th century. They managed to navigate these turbulent waters, maintain their language and survive as a nation over the millennia because they have always prized military valour, one of the cardinal virtues of a Greek across time. No wonder, Greek history is full of examples of heroism and glory.
Greek, and admittedly all of European, literature starts with Homer’s Iliad, an epic almost 16 thousand verses long that celebrates the “glorious deeds of heroes”.
The plot gets rolling with a quarrel between the Greek commander-in-chief in the Trojan War, Agamemnon, and his most formidable fighter, Achilles, who was raised on the precept “always to be the bravest and to surpass all others”. Achilles’ wrath is the first theme in our new series of gold coins dedicated to Homer’s Iliad.
The Wrath of Achilles:
Hercules, the greatest Greek hero, is the theme of a new series of collector silver coins dedicated to The labours of Hercules, to be issued in puzzle coin sets.
The Labours of Hercules:
The series starts with three coins that piece together to tell the story of the first three labours: the killing of the Nemean lion and the Lernaean Hydra and the capture of the Ceryneian hind.
Heinrich Schliemann, polyglot, millionaire, adventurer and visionary, made it the purpose of his life to prove that Homer’s world had indeed existed. One hundred and fifty years ago, after unearthing Troy, he began excavations at Mycenae. The most spectacular among his finds was the “Mask of Agamemnon”, as Schliemann named it, believing to have found the grave of the legendary king. This exquisite artifact is depicted on this year’s coin in our Cultural heritage series.
The 1820s, the decade when the Greeks fought for and won their independence, abounds in acts of heroism, glory, and often sacrifice. An unparalleled example is the Exodus of Messolonghi, to which we dedicate both a silver collector and a 2-euro circulation coin to mark the bicentennial of the event.
Together we honour with a silver coin the Swiss philhellene Johann Jakob Meyer, father of Greek journalism, who was killed during the Exodus (Philhellenes series). Memories of the heroic last stand of the defenders of the Sacred City of Messolonghi haunt the region of Aetolia-Acarnania this year’s theme of our Tourism series.
200 Years from the Exodus of Messolonghi:
Ioannis Kapodistrias, who is portrayed on our most precious coin in this year’s programme, was a diplomat of international renown who helped the Greek Revolution in its vulnerable first phase and later made the first serious state-building effort as Governor of Greece.
Like every war, the Greek Revolution produced not only heroes, but also victims among the civilian population, including refugees.
To these people we turn ourattention with a silver coin dedicated to 200 hundred years from the naming of Hermoupolis. Built on the island of Syros by refugees from several places devastated by the Turks, the new city thrived thanks to commerce and industry, becoming the gem of the Cyclades.
Turning to our long-standing series, we are issuing silver coins that feature Aristarchos of Samos, the first proponent of the heliocentric theory (in the Mathematicians series), and the hydraulis of Ktesibios, the first ever keyboard instrument (in our Ancient Greek technology series).
Link to post on Aristarchos on this Blog:
Next in our Endangered fauna of Greece series is the Milos viper (Macrovipera schweizeri), the most threatened reptile species in Greece.
One of the best known animal fables is the Lion and the mouse, which features on this year’s coin in our Aesop’s fables series.
We are also launching a new series dedicated to the lighthouses of Greece, starting with the Tourlitis lighthouse of Andros.
Finally, we celebrate important anniversaries by a silver coin commemorating 150 years from the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and a 2-euro circulation coin to mark 100 years from the foundation of the Academy of Athens, guardian of the Greek language and culture.
I will keep on adding the links to my posts of the Greek Coinage this year to keep the visitors abreast with the stories.
Discovery and Historical Context - The Mask of Agamemnon:
The Mask of Agamemnon was unearthed by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1876 at Grave Circle A, Mycenae, specifically in shaft tomb V.
Schliemann believed he had found the burial of the legendary Greek king Agamemnon, leader of the Achaeans in Homer’s Iliad, and famously telegraphed King George of Greece, stating, “I have gazed upon the face of Agamemnon”.
The mask was found among other elite burials, with a total of five gold masks discovered in Graves IV and V, alongside weapons and jewelry, indicating the high status of the deceased.
Craftsmanship:
The mask is made from a single thick sheet of gold, shaped by heating and hammering it against a wooden mold, with facial details added using sharp tools in a technique known as “repoussé”.
It measures approximately 25 centimetres in height, weighs 168 grams, and features small holes near the ears to secure it to the face of the deceased.
The craftsmanship reflects the advanced metallurgical skills of the Mycenaean civilisation.
Dating and Authenticity:
Modern research dates the mask to 1550–1500 BC, which is 300–400 years earlier than the traditional date of the Trojan War, meaning it could not have belonged to the historical or mythical Agamemnon.
While Schliemann initially attributed it to the Homeric king, he later acknowledged doubts about its true owner.
Some scholars, including William Calder III and David Traill, have questioned the mask’s authenticity, citing Schliemann’s reputation for manipulating excavations, though most archaeologists today consider it genuine.
Cultural Significance:
The Mask of Agamemnon is often called the “Mona Lisa of prehistory” due to its fame and artistic significance.
It serves as a bridge between Homeric legend and historical Mycenaean civilisation, highlighting the wealth, status, and funerary practices of Bronze Age elites.
Legacy:
Despite the historical inaccuracies regarding its association with Agamemnon, the mask remains a symbol of Mycenaean artistry and the fascination with connecting archaeology to ancient Greek mythology. Its discovery helped bring global attention to the splendour of Bronze Age Greece and continues to inspire both scholarly research and public imagination.
More on - THE MASK OF AGAMEMNON:
In the first year of his excavations in Mycenae in 1876, Heinrich Schliemann discovered six pit tombs, which contained a multitude of gold objects and due to their wealth are considered royal.
The most impressive find was a golden funeral mask, which became known as the "mask of Agamemnon".
Schliemann believed that the tomb belonged to the legendary commander-in-chief of the Greeks in the Trojan War.
But, according to more recent archaeological studies, the mask dates back to the 16th century BC, much earlier than the supposed era of the Trojan War.
It is made of thick gold plate that was forged into a wooden core and then carved with a sharp tool.
It depicts the imposing figure of a bearded man with an oval face, a broad forehead, a long thin nose and thin lips, tightly closed.
Today, the mask is displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, with replicas, such as the life-sized electrotype copy by Emile Gilliéron, available in other museums.
It stands out among the five golden masks found in the same burial ensemble for its elegance, but also for the intense rendering of facial features.
The Coin:
THE MASK OF AGAMEMNON:
The Emblem of Greece, (or the Coat of Arms), features a white cross on a blue shield surrounded by two laurel branches, symbolising Christianity and victory. Its current form was officially adopted in 1975 after the establishment of the Third Hellenic Republic.
Design and Symbolism:
Shield: Blue background with a white cross, representing the Greek flag and the Christian faith.
Laurel branches: Traditionally green, but often depicted in monochrome blue for official use. Gold laurel leaves are used in military insignia and on the presidential standard.
Cross: Symbolises the role of Christianity in Greek identity and independence.
The specifications of these Coins are:
Coin Title: "The Mask of Agamemnon"
Year of Issue: 2026
Mint: Bank of Greece (IETA – Νομισματοκοπείο)
Denomination: 50€
DIAMETER: 14.00 mm
WEIGHT: 1.00 gr
STEFANI FORM - Booty
Their presence on coins reinforced the authority or prestige of the issuing city-state or ruler.
EDGE: Plain
Metal Composition: Gold (Au) 99.99%
Packaging: Wooden box with Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
MAXIMUM PRINT QUANTITY: 1,200 pieces
PRINT QUALITY: Curated cut (proof)
Mintmark: Palmette symbol of the Greek Mint.
Edge: Plain
Numismatic Programme: 2026
Designer: M. Antonatou
2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history
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
Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:
Other interesting posts on Greek Coinage and Commemorative Coins:
2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history
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
Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:
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