2 oz 2015 Gods of Ancient Greece | Apollo Silver Proof Coin

This 2 oz silver proof coin is the final release in the New Zealand Mint's Gods of Ancient Greece series.

Apollo was a son of Zeus, and as the God of Light one of his most important task was to use his chariot to pull the sun across the sky.

Apollo was also known as the Archer, and would shoot his arrows with a silver bow.

As the God of Healing, he taught mankind the science of medicine, although he could also bring forth disease and pestilence with his arrows.

The obverse of this coin displays the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II..

The reverse features Apollo who was considered the megistos kouros (great kouros), the ultimate ideal of athletic youth.

He was also the God of Music, and is depicted holding his golden lyre, which was created for him by Hermes.

The temple of Apollo at Delphi is behind him, the ruins of which can still be visited today.

At his side is a laurel tree, which was sacred to Apollo.

This coin has a limited mintage of only 2,000, and is a perfect item to display thanks to the unique temple coin case it is held within.