Cyprus

2017

Commemorative coin

Paphos 2017 – European Capital of Culture

Official Journal of the European Union

The design shows the ‘Paphos Ancient Odeon’, a small amphiteatre dating back to the 2nd century AD. Nowadays it is used in the summer for musical theatrical performances and it will be the venue of a number of events to be held within the program of ‘Paphos 2017 – European Capital of Culture’. The issuing country’s name ‘ΚΥΠΡΟΣ KIBRIS’ and the phrase ‘Πάφος 2017 – Πολιτιστική πρωτεύουσα Ευρώπης’ (i.e. Paphos 2017 – European capital of Culture) are inscribed on the inner part of the national side of the coin. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

Archaeologically, the prehistory of the city of Paphos can be traced back to the late Bronze Age - the immigration of Mycenaean Greeks in the late 13th century B.C. is attested by rich grave finds. Despite severe damage caused by earthquakes, the sanctuary of Aphrodite, under the patronage of the Roman emperors, which according to Pausanias is said to have been built by Agapenor of Tegea on his way home from Troy, was preserved until the 4th century AD. Cyprus' first own national €2 commemorative coin depicts the Roman Odeon, built in the 2nd century, which after reconstruction is now used again for music and theatre performances. The Paphos Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and Paphos will be European Capital of Culture in 2017.

Edge lettering

Designer