2oz Silver Coin Goddesses of Olympus - Hera

Today is coin unboxing #2, featuring the 2oz silver Goddesses of Olympus - Hera rimless high relief coin struck by The Perth Mint Australia. This is the first coin in the Goddesses of Olympus series. The coin is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tivalu with a denomination of two dollars.

Once again this coin was extremely popular and sold out shortly after being released on the Perth Mint website. I was quick on the draw with this coin and was actually able secure one of these coins via the Perth Mint website, which normally tends to be very tricky with these popular collectable coins.

The issue price of this coin on the Perth Mint website was AUD$179.00. Currently on eBay there are a number of listings for this coin, the price range in eBay is between AUD$250 - AUD$799.00. Although there are a number of 'for sale listings', there does not appear to be any recent 'sold listings' for this coin.

Coin Details:

Mint/Brand:	The Perth Mint Australia
Silver Content:	2 Troy Ounce
Purity:	.999 Silver
Denomination:	$2 (Tuvalu)
Weight:	62.27g
Diameter:	40.50mm
Thickness:	6.00mm
Mintage:	2,000
Designer:	Thomas Vaughan
Coin Number:	1249

The Box

The outer box is white with gold imagery and writing. The images depict the three Goddesses of Olympus in the Perth Mint coin series, the goddesses are Aphrodite, Athena and Hera. The words 'GODDESSES OF OLYMPUS' and 'HERA' appear on the top of the box, the words '2oz SILVER COIN' appears on the side of the box.

Coin Certificate

Who is Hera?

The accompanying coin certificate reads:

In ancient Greek mythology, Hera was worshipped as the Goddess of Women and Marriage, the Queen of the Olympians and the wife of Zeus, who was the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus, and also her brother.


Hera was one of six children born to Rhea and Cronus, the ruler of the Titans. After being told by his mother Gaia that one of his children would one day overthrow him, Cronus swallowed his first five children, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades and Poseidon, at birth. They were later resurrected by Zeus.


Hera had the ability to bless and protect a woman's marriage, bring her fertility, protect her children, and ensure she was financially secure. However, she was known for vengeful and jealous nature, particularly toward her husband's many lovers and their children, who she often punished. Despite her rage at his infidelities, Hera remained loyal and faithful to her husband, bearing three of his children, Hebe, Ares, and Hephaestos.


Historically, Hera was often depicted in a standing position, or seated on a throne with a polos crown on her head, holding a lotus staff. Her other symbols include a cuckoo, which was representative of her marriage to Zeus, a peacock, signifying immortality, and a pomegranate, symbolising fertility. The lion was also considered sacred to Hera.

Display Case

The rimless, high relief silver coin is housed in a round wooden display case, with detailed illustrations of the three goddesses on the lid.

Inside the round display case, the words 'The Perth Mint Australia' appear next to the swan logo in gold. The antique finish 2oz coin is positioned in the centre of the round display case and is bordered by a circular pattern in gold.

Design

Reverse of Coin

The reverse of the coin depicts Hera wearing a polos crown, sitting on a throne in the Temple of Hera, holding her lotus staff in her left hand. Hera is pictured with a peacock and a lion. The design includes the inscription HERA, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

Obverse of Coin

The obverse of the coin portrays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of Tuvalu 2 Dollars and the year 2015.