The lads give way to the ladies with the goddess Hera following LPM’s ‘Gods of Olympus’ bullion coin series

Today sees the launch of the fourth in LPM Group’s bullion reimagining of the Perth Mint’s iconic ‘Gods’ series of numismatics. Debuting in 2014, they became hugely popular, even crashing the Perth Mint website on release day. The decision to turn them into bullion coins seems an obvious one in hindsight, and the first three coins, which corresponded to the initial trio from 2014, have made the transition with ease. Now, the second trio begins, and it’s the turn of the goddesses.

This trio was released throughout 2015 in numismatic form, and comprised Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. True to the original order, Hera is the first to be available. The design is a direct copy of the original, a good one, although the weakest of the three, we think. Hera is depicted enthroned in the Temple of Hera, a lion and a peacock at her feet, and holding her lotus staff. There’s a lot packed in for a bullion coin.

There are five formats in the range, just one in gold – a one-ounce coin. Silver has a choice of finish, and of weight, two of each making up the four offerings. You can have them in brilliant uncirculated, or antique-finished forms, each of which comes in either one-ounce, or five-ounce weights. It seems to be a well-chosen selection, made all the more appealing by some very low mintages. All are available to order from today, We’d expect Athena and Aphrodite to appear as the year progresses.

HERA

Hera is the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus in the Olympian pantheon of Greek mythology and religion. Her chief function was as the goddess of women and marriage. Her counterpart in the religion of ancient Rome was Juno. The cow, lion and the peacock were considered sacred to her. Hera’s mother is Rhea and her father Cronus.

Portrayed as majestic and solemn, often enthroned, and crowned with the polos (a high cylindrical crown worn by several of the Great Goddesses), Hera may bear a pomegranate in her hand, emblem of fertile blood and death and a substitute for the narcotic capsule of the opium poppy. Hera had the ability to bless and protect a woman’s marriage, bring her fertility, protect her children, and ensure she was financially secure.

Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature against Zeus’ lovers and offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her, such as Pelias. Despite her rage at his infidelities, Hera remained loyal and faithful to her husband, bearing three of his children, Hebe, Ares, and Hephaestos. Paris also earned Hera’s hatred by choosing Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess.

DESIGN: depicts Hera wearing a polos crown, sitting on a throne in the Temple of Hera, holding her lotus staff in her left hand. A lion and a peacock rest beside Hera on either side of the throne. The design includes the inscription HERA, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.