5 dollars (62.20 g) silver coin Bacchus, Niue 2022

Some of the most famous gods of the Greek pantheon – those who lived on the legendary Mount Olympus – are commonly known as the Olympians: it’s the god of sky and thunder, Zeus, the goddess of marriage, Hera, the god of the sea, Poseidon, the goddess of wisdom, Athena, the god of fire, Hephaestus, the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, the god of light, Apollo, the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, the god of wine and ecstasy, Bacchus, the goddess of agriculture, Demeter, the god of war, Ares, the goddess of the hearth, Hestia, the god of the underworld, Hades, and the god of travel, Hermes, who acted as a messenger between humans and gods.

The link between culture and pleasure that has survived to this day can be credited to Bacchus. In the old myths, Bacchus is one of the most popular gods because he stood for ideas that were close to the common people: he was a patron of the theatre, he loved peace, and was a guardian of civilisation & law. Bacchus’ symbols – trees, grapevines, domestic animals – were often featured in festivals, and this quickly led to a kind of cult that we still associate with the free spirit, wine, and ecstatic mood.

Thus, the reverse of the collectible aged silver coin ‘Bacchus’ is full of the motifs attributed to this god: entwined vines and ripe bunches of grapes that symbolise the harvest & fertility, a festive drinking cup which reminds us of the intoxicating ecstasy, and the god’s beatific smile that adorned his face as he spent his time with the common people… This gold-plated piece of art is fascinating not only for its intricate details, but also because of the technological solutions applied: the high relief of the coin is decorated using a new surface treatment technique – antique gilding. The obverse features a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

This coin, which symbolises the power and majesty of a god, is sure to find a place in your numismatic collection. ‘Bacchus’ is sold in a lacquered wooden box together with a certificate of authenticity.