Dionysus, the Greek god of a good booze-up, has a party on the sixth in Numiartis’ iconic silver coin series

There has been an absolute deluge of mythology coins over the last decade, which has eased off somewhat of late, which is a testament to the sheer breadth of subjects in the genre, and the fantastical nature of it all. The coin that set much of it in motion was Ares, released back in 2017, the first in a series simply called ‘Gods’ and released by German producer, Numiartis, and struck by the Mint of Poland.

Since then, we’ve had Poseidon, Hephaestus, Apollo, and Zeus, as well as a beautiful one-kilo version of Ares to celebrate the series 5th year. The 2022 issue is now here, and the party god, Dionysus, is the star. It’s another packed design by Polish artist Beata Kulesza-Damaziak, a favourite here in the AgAuNEWS bunker. We’re back with a two-ounce coin this time, fortunately, so a bit more affordable than the big special, and it makes full use of this popular format.

Dionysus is pictured in full party mode, knocking back the vino, and demolishing said liquid’s raw material in his other hand. Grapevines abound, and fantastical characters populate the scene. The series signature gilded highlights are all here, contrasting nicely with the antique finish. The common obverse returns.

The coin will come boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, and the mintage remains capped at 500 pieces. Arguably the series that popularised both the format, and the genre, it’s great to see it remain in such fine form, exemplified by the excellent images provided by Numiartis. Available to order now, it should ship in a few weeks time.

DIONYSUS

Dionysus is a Greek god of wine, fertility, theatre, and ecstasy. He is also known as Bacchus in Roman mythology. Dionysus is the son of Zeus and a mortal woman named Semele. He is depicted as a young, handsome man with long hair and often carrying a thyrsus, a staff topped with a pine cone. He is associated with the cult of the grapevine and is often depicted in the company of his followers, the maenads, who were women that worshipped him through ecstatic rituals and dancing, and also with theatre, as he is credited with the invention of tragedy and comedy.

The god’s worship was widespread throughout Greece, and his festivals, called Dionysia, were among the most popular celebrations in ancient times. During the Dionysia, tragedies and comedies were performed, and people would drink and feast in honour of the god.

In some myths, Dionysus is also credited with the ability to bring the dead back to life, and he is often associated with rebirth and regeneration. He is also known for his dual nature, representing both the joy and chaos of life as well as the destructive power of nature. Dionysus is a complex and multifaceted god whose influence can be seen in many aspects of ancient Greek culture. His legacy has endured through the ages, and he remains a symbol of both the pleasures and the dangers of excess.