Additional Information

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

In Greek mythology, the Cyclopes were a race of giants, each with a single eye in the centre of their forehead.

Having been imprisoned by the Titans, the Cyclopes were released by the God Zeus. As a reward for this favour, they crafted Zeus his weapons of lighting and thunder.

In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus was trapped in the cave of a Cyclops named Polyphemus, who consumed many of his men. Odysseus tricked Polyphemus into becoming intoxicated, telling him that his name was ‘Nobody’. While in this state, he blinded him with a red hot poker. Polyphemus’ calls for help from ‘Nobody’ were ignored. The next day Odysseus escaped by clinging to the belly of Polyphemus’ sheep as they were released to graze. As he sailed away, Odysseus called out his name, leading to Polyphemus asking his father Poseidon to avenge this wrong.