In August 2004, the Olympic Games returned to the country where they were born over 2,500 years ago, and to Athens the city of their revival in 1896. Within the framework of the Olympic Coin Program, the Greek Mint issued a series of commemorative coins, Gold and Silver, on which Greek history and heritage were engraved. The forth series of the Official Coins of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games was issued on November 3, 2003 and includes 1 Gold and 2 Silver proof coins (Zappeio - Rythmic Gymnastics - Swimming)
Gold coin: Zappeion is an Athenian mansion built at the expense of the Greek public benefactor Evangelos Zappas (1800 - 1865) to serve as the venue for Greek artistic, agricultural and industrial fairs. It is related to the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, since at that time, the lack of a necessary infrastructure and the accommondation facilities for the participants, required the use of the mansion as an "Olympic village" for the Games and also to host certain games, such as fencing.
Silver coin: Rhythmic Gymnastics is one of the oldest sports in the world. In ancient Greece, three distinct programmes of gymnastic exercise were developed: one for the maintenance of good physical condition, another for military training, and a third as part of the conditioning regimen for athletes. Modern rhythmic gymnastics were developed in the late 1950s.
Silver coin: Swimming was highly esteemed in ancient Greece and Rome, as shown on vases and wall paintings dating back to 1,600 B.C., especially as a form of training for warriors. In modern times competitive swimming was instituted in Great Britain at the end of the 18th century and the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, included swimming races. |