Pièce 1 once d'argent Persée avec la tête de Méduse 2021 | Monnaie de Scottsdale

This intricate silver coin features a representation of Perseus holding the head of the Medusa along with a figure of the Italian sculptor Benvenuto Cellini. Benvenuto Cellini’s popular representation of Perseus was sculpted in 1545 and can be seen at the Piazza Della Signoria, in Florence, Italy. Cellini is considered one of the greatest goldsmiths of the Renaissance and was described by Michelangelo as the greatest of his era.

Perseus is considered one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. He was the only son of the god Zeus with the mortal princess Danae, which made Perseus a demi-god with incredible strength and intelligence. Perseus was the grandson of king Acrisius, the king was told by an oracle that one of his grandsons would eventually kill him, to prevent that from happening, Acrisius imprisoned the princess in an underground chamber to prevent her from having any children. The chamber was dark and had no doors, only a small opening through the roof, which Zeus was able to get through in the form of a golden shower of rain to impregnate Danae. Upon visiting the chamber and seeing his daughter with a baby, Acrisius refused to believe her story, locked both on a wooden chest, and threw them into the vicious sea. They landed safely on the island of Seriphos and were fished by a man named Dictys, which offered them a place to live and kept them in secrecy for years, there Perseus grew to become a strong young man.

The island of Seriphos was ruled by king Polydectes, which was Dicty’s brother. The king fell in love with Danae immediately upon seeing her, the princess however did not correspond to his feelings. As a plot to get rid of Perseus, the only obstacle to Danae, the king sent Perseus on a quest to slay the gorgon Medusa and bring back her head, something that he thought would be sending him to certain death. The demi-god however managed to slay Medusa, the only mortal gorgon, and used her severed head as one of his main weapons on other quests, as it could turn anyone into stone.

Highlights

• Ships individually in a protective plastic sleeve
• Consisting of 1 oz of 999 Fine Silver
• Obverse: Features the figure of Benvenutto Cellini looking towards an engraving of his famous statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa along with the year of release and the inscription “MEDUSA’S HEAD”
• Reverse: Features the coat of arms of Gibraltar, the country’s name, legal tender value along with metal weight, type, and purity

Scottsdale Mint is a private manufacturer and distributor of gold and silver bullion bars, coins, and rounds located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale Mint is widely recognized for its high standards of purity, weight, quality, and craftsmanship.