Perth Mints ‘Zeus’ bullion coin returns in gold form for the first time, and a pair of five ounce silvers

We’ve already covered LPM and the Perth Mint’s excellent re-release of the seminal debut ‘Gods of Olympus‘ coin in bullion form last year, when the 2oz numismatic original came back to market in one ounce form sporting either a bullion or an antiqued finish. We thought it was a good idea at the time, but they’ve now taken it a step further with the first gold version, and a couple of bigger silver variants.

The gold coin comes in the standard brilliant uncirculated finish and drops in at the same one-ounce in weight. While it comes with a certificate of authenticity, this is a bullion coin and thus is supplied in a capsule. Best of all, just 100 are being produced, so as long as the premium over spot is reasonable, it looks a great buy. The other two variants will be instantly familiar to those that read our first article, but nevertheless, having these striking designs available in a huge near 56 mm diameter is a treat. Just 500 of these will be struck, of which a tiny 50 will be in antiqued form – easily my favourite of the bunch.

The next coin will be Poseidon, and we’re expecting it to hit the market in all five forms, although maybe a staggered release like this one. A terrific idea for a bullion series and one that will no doubt be a popular one. This is an LPM exclusive, so head on over there and tell them we sent you!!! Check out the original series in our Coin Series Profile.

ZEUS

Zeus was the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion, who ruled as king of the gods of Mount Olympus. His name is cognate with the first element of his Roman equivalent Jupiter. Zeus is the child of Cronus and Rhea, the youngest of his siblings to be born, though sometimes reckoned the eldest as the others required disgorging from Cronus’s stomach. In most traditions, he is married to Hera, by whom he is usually said to have fathered Ares, Hebe, and Hephaestus. At the oracle of Dodona, his consort was said to be Dione, by whom the Iliad states that he fathered Aphrodite. Zeus was also infamous for his erotic escapades. These resulted in many godly and heroic offspring, including Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Persephone, Dionysus, Perseus, Heracles, Helen of Troy, Minos, and the Muses.

He was respected as an allfather who was chief of the gods and assigned the others to their roles: “Even the gods who are not his natural children address him as Father, and all the gods rise in his presence.” He was equated with many foreign weather gods, permitting Pausanias to observe “That Zeus is king in heaven is a saying common to all men”. Zeus is frequently depicted by Greek artists in one of two poses: standing, striding forward with a thunderbolt leveled in his raised right hand, or seated in majesty. (+)