The Golden Touch 2023 Silver Coin, 2 oz (color)

Silver cylinder depicting a scene from a myth about a Greek king.

The coin refers to Greek mythology, specifically to the figure of King Midas. According to legend, Midas was the king of Phrygia, a region in present-day Turkey. Midas was famous for his great love of wealth and gold, which became a cause of misfortune for him. His most famous legends say that he was given a gift by the god Dionysus, who granted his wish and turned everything Midas touched into gold. At first the king was very pleased with his gift, but soon realized that he couldn't eat or drink because everything he touched turned into metal. Finally, asking the god for deliverance, he was cured of this curse.

The reverse shows the saddest scene in the myth. King Midas accidentally touches his daughter's favorite flower turning it into gold. Midas' daughter bursts into tears, and the king to comfort her hugs her turning her into a golden statue. The realism of the scene is given by selective gilding of the coin's fragments showing the progressing spell. The obverse in the center depicts a flower belonging to Midas' daughter, which contributed to the misfortune. Around it are information about the weight, silver sample and date of issue of the coin.