Additional Information

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

The Minotaur was a mythical creature with the head and tail of a bull, on the body of a man.

Legend tells that King Minos asked the God Poseidon to send him a sign of approval. A beautiful white bull rose from the sea, but when Minos saw it, he coveted the animal and sacrificed another instead. Upon learning of this, Poseidon made the wife of Minos fall in love with the bull. Their offspring was a monster called the Minotaur. The creature caused such terror that he was locked away inside a vast labyrinth.

Every year, human tribute was given the Minotaur, leading to the Greek hero Theseus volunteering. In exchange for marriage, Minos’ daughter gave him a ball of thread, which she fastened to the entrance of the maze. Upon finding and defeating the Minotaur, he was thus able to retrace his steps and escape.