Aphrodite was the Ancient Greek Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. Born near Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, Ancient Greek mythology tells the story that Aphrodite’s birth was the consequence of an argument between the Gods.

Because of her beauty, other Gods feared jealousy would interrupt the peace among them and lead to war, so Zeus married her to the God Hephaestus, who was not viewed as a threat. However, Aphrodite had many lovers, both Gods and men.

This coin "Aphrodite" marks the second release in a series of five "Gods of Ancient Greece".

Obverse: This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Country of Issue - Niue.

Reverse: This high relief, rectangular coin, channels classical and renaissance paintings and sculpture of this iconic God of Ancient Greece. The dramatic moment of Aphrodite’s birth where she is born forth from the white foam of the ocean is sculpted out from the silver of this coin face. Behind her appears the shell which carried her to shore, and the island location which has gone down in mythology as her birthplace. Above this, a dove, sacred to the Goddess flies across a highly polished sky.