Additional Information

The Creatures of Greek Mythology by New Zealand Mint, is a fantasy-themed coin collection featuring engraved illustrations of dramatic mythical creatures.

Centaurs were mythological creatures with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Caught between their two natures, the Centaur appeared in many myths, at times portrayed with the snub nose and pointed ears of a Satyr.

It was said they inhabited the mountains and forests of Magnesia, making their homes in mountain caves, hunting animals for food, and arming themselves with branches and rocks. Most Centaur were governed by the bestial side of their nature, being driven wild with even a small amount of wine.

One of the best known centaurs was Chiron who possessed his horsely half by virtue of his father, the god Cronus, taking the form of a horse when he was conceived. Chiron was renowned for his civility and wisdom serving as tutor to many famous heroes including Heracles and Jason. He taught music and medicine, as well as the skills of the hunt. Though he was immortal, Chiron was accidentally wounded by Heracles with an arrow treated with the blood of the monster Hydra. This caused him insufferable pain. When Heracles asked his father to free Prometheus and Zeus demanded that someone must be sacrificed, Chiron volunteered to free Prometheus and also himself from pain.

Another story was when Heracles was entertained by the Centaur Pholus. Upon arriving, he made the mistake of demanding a beaker of wine. Pholus could not refuse his guest, and unearthed a jug of the liquid which he kept buried underground out of fear.