Gold Coin Goddess - Hera 1 Oz 2022 Proof

The Goddesses Collection, Hera - 1 Oz

An exclusive gold coin issued by the British Overseas Territory of St Helena for 2022 and minted in the finest 99.99% pure gold, weighing 1 Oz (31.1g), Hera is part of the Goddesses Collection, which tells stories from ancient Greek and Norse mythology. The first coin in the series features Hera, the most powerful goddess of the Greek pantheon.

The reverse design was created by Joel Iskowitz. The classically conceived scene depicts Hera riding in a chariot in the sky. In her hand she holds a scepter, an attribute of her divinity. The chariot is drawn by sacred peacocks with a tail train covered with the hundred watchful eyes of the mighty giant Argos. The image partially transitions to the rim of a coin bearing the name of the goddess "HERA". The initials of the artist "JI" and the trademark of the East India Company are included.
According to Greek mythology, Hera was the highest-ranking goddess and one of the twelve major gods residing on Mount Olympus. She was the wife of the first and chief god Zeus, to whom she bore Ares, the god of war, and Hephaestus, the god of fire and smithing. Zeus was known for his philandering and numerous mistresses, which Hera resented. Out of jealousy, she often did not hesitate to punish her husband's mistresses and their illegitimate children. Therefore, in addition to her beauty and fidelity, she was also known for her fury and vengefulness. Despite her anger, Hera became the stepmother of many of Zeus' children and gained a reputation as the goddess of marriage, family, children and women. Hera also ruled the weather, storms, lightning and fog.
Hera's sacred animals include the cuckoo and the peacock. In one legend, Ovid tells how Zeus fell in love with Íó, one of Hera's priestesses. A furious Hera turned Íó into a cow and gave her to Argos, her all-seeing giant with a hundred eyes, to guard. Zeus took pity on Íó and ordered his servant Hermes to kill Argos and save her. But Hera guessed his intentions. Before Hermes could hypnotize and murder Argos, she removed all his eyes and placed them on the tail of a peacock.

The obverse depicts Jody Clark's coin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, complete with the artist's initials "J.C.". The coin description states "ELIZABETH II - D - G - REG - F - D - ST. HELENA", the year of issue and the denomination "2022 - 5 POUND".

The coin comes in a representative box along with a certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 100 pieces for the whole world!

This product is part of the following product sets: