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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Cyprus, issued on 15 May 2017 in a circulation of 425,000 copies. Dedicated to Paphos - the European Capital of Culture 2017. Minted in Suomen Ragapa Oy (Finland). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
The center of the coin depicts the Roman Odeon of Paphos - a 2nd century brick amphitheater located in the city's archaeological park. The Odeon has been partially reconstructed and is still used for cultural events. The image is surrounded by inscriptions: at the top left - "PAFOS 2017" (as part of the text, where 2017 is the year of issue and the status of the Capital of Culture), at the bottom - the name of the issuing country in two languages: "ΚΥΠΡΟΣ - KIBRIS" (Cyprus in Greek and Turkish). The outer ring of the coin features 12 five-pointed stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the European Union. The rim is finely fluted and the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Paphos (Greek: Πάφος, Pafos) is a city on the southwestern coast of the island of Cyprus, one of the oldest and most important cities of the ancient Mediterranean. According to Greek myth, it was here that Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, was born from sea foam, therefore, since ancient times, Paphos was the center of her cult. From the 3rd century BC, New Paphos was the capital of Cyprus in the Hellenistic era and the Roman period, when it was here that Saint Paul preached the Gospel (46 AD, according to the Acts of the Apostles). The archaeological zone includes the Roman Odeon (2nd century), Villa Theseus (with the best Roman floor mosaics in the Mediterranean world), Digenis Rock, Ramis Castle, the necropolis "Tombs of the Kings" (4th century BC). Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. In 2017, Paphos, together with the Danish Aarhus, was chosen as the European Capital of Culture - over 300 events took place: concerts, exhibitions, festivals.