We Buy Collectible Coins & Banknotes
2024
100 euro 2024 Hephaestus Proof
Greek collectible gold proof coin with a face value of 100 euros, for the Gods of Olympus - HEPHAESTUS, maximum number of 1,200 pieces, Bank of Greece mint, issue in 2024. WEIGHT 3.89 gr., MATERIAL Gold 99.99% (Au).
Hephaestus was god of smithing and craftsmanship in general, of fire and volcanoes (hephaesteia), which were so named after Vulcan, his counterpart in the Roman pantheon. He was son of Zeus and Hera, but was such an ugly infant that Hera hurled him down from heaven in a rage. He landed on Lemnos, with both his feet crippled, and set up his smithy on the island. The Greeks believed that Hephaestus’ smithies lay beneath volcanoes. As the gods’ master craftsman, he was credited with the chariot of the Sun, Achilles’ shield, automata (robots) and other mythological artefacts. He was married to Aphrodite, who cheated on him with Ares. His cult was widespread in volcanic areas (Aetna, Lipari Islands, etc.), while the entire island of Lemnos was sacred to the god. In Athens, the so-called Theseum was actually a temple of Hephaestus, where he was worshiped as patron of craftsmen together with Athena Ergane.
| Issuer | Greece  |
|---|---|
| Ruling authority | Third Hellenic Republic (1974-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coins |
| Year | 2024 |
| Value | 100 Euros (100 EUR) |
| Currency | Euro (2002-date) |
| Composition | Gold (.9999) |
| Weight | 3.89 g |
| Diameter | 17.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
200 euro Penelope Delta 2024 Proof
Greek collectible gold proof coin with a face value of 200 euros, for the 150 years from the birth of Penelope Delta, maximum number of 750 pieces, Bank of Greece mint, issue in 2024. The photo is indicative, the coin you will receive is in the original box along with the certificate of authenticity.
Penelope Delta was a pioneer of children’s literature in Greece and perhaps the most important Greek woman in turbulent times for Hellenism, with rich philanthropic activity. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, she was daughter of Emmanuel Benakis, later mayor of Athens and national benefactor, and wife of Phanariote merchant Stephanos Deltas. She became close friends with the leading statesman of the time, Eleftherios Venizelos, and had a passionate romance with Ion Dragoumis, which remained platonic.
Encouraged by poet Kostis Palamas, Penelope Delta wrote historical novels for children, with themes related to contemporary national issues (In the Heroic Age of Basil II: Emperor of Byzantium, For the sake of the fatherland, The secrets of the swamp), as well as other books, including A tale without a name, Trelantonis, Mangas and The life of Christ. She aspired, as she said, to “awaken in Greek children noble and lofty ideals”, instilling in them such values as patriotism, friendship and love. Generations of Greek children have been raised with her books, which remain popular. Penelope Delta took her own life when the Nazis entered Athens in 1941.
| Issuer | Greece |
|---|---|
| Period | Third Hellenic Republic (1974-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coins |
| Year | 2024 |
| Value | 200 Euros (200 EUR) |
| Currency | Euro (2002-date) |
| Composition | Gold (.917) |
| Weight | 7.98 g |
| Diameter | 22.1 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
50 euro The Temple of Apollo Epikourios 2024 Proof
Greek collectible gold proof coin with a face value of 50 euros, for the cultural heritage of The Temple of Apollo Epikourios, maximum number of 1,200 pieces, Bank of Greece mint, issue in 2024.
UNESCO-listed since 1986, the temple of Apollo Epikourios (“Apollo the helper”) stands at an elevation of 1,130 metres above sea level on the Arcadian highlands at Bassae (today Prefecture of Ilia). According to Pausanias, it was commissioned by the Arcadian city of Phigalia and was designed by Iktinos, architect of the Parthenon. The name Epikourios refers either to the healing powers of Apollo, who was believed to have saved the Phigalians from the plague, or to his patronage of Arcadian mercenaries (epikouroi).
It is one of the boldest and most original monuments of 5th-century classical architecture, as it combines all three orders: Doric (it had 6 x 15 Doric columns), Ionic (the interior was adorned with Ionic half-columns and a frieze with scenes of Greeks fighting Amazons and Lapiths fighting Centaurs) and Corinthian (in the inner sanctuary stood one column with the earliest known Corinthian capital).
It was first excavated by a team of foreign travellers in 1812 and today its frieze is exhibited at the British Museum. Due to its isolated location, the temple has survived in a fair state of preservation, albeit with serious static problems. The difficult restoration project has been entrusted to the Committee for the Conservation of the Temple of Apollo Epikourios.
| Issuer | Greece |
|---|---|
| Ruling authority | Third Hellenic Republic (1974-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coins |
| Year | 2024 |
| Value | 50 Euros (50 EUR) |
| Currency | Euro (2002-date) |
| Composition | Gold (.999) |
| Weight | 1 g |
| Diameter | 14 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |