10 Pesos Colossus of Rhodes

Reverse

Statue of The Colossus of Rhodes over the waters; circular legend close to edge: event name on top, place name below; date and mintmark on right.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
* MARAVILLAS DEL MUNDO ANTIGUO *
1997
* * COLOSO DE RODAS * *

Translation:
Wonders of ancient world
1997
Colossus of Rhodes

Engraver: Ryneel Castellanos Cuesta

Designer: Elena Delgado Álvarez

Edge

Plain

Comment

The Colossus of Rhodes was a giant statue, representing Helios, patron god of the city. Was placed at the entrance of the harbor of that city, constructed with bronze plates, on two white marble bases of esteemed 15 meters high and 18 meters wide each. As per contemporary descriptions, statue would be 32 meters high, and filled with stone rocks, while it was constructed. To figure its size, we can compare to Liberty Statue as New York, with 33 meters high, on a 48 meters base. Size of statue itself, and construction technique were basically similar, taking into account Liberty Statue was constructed about 2000 years later.

Construction of Rhodes was ended on about 290/280 B.C. and was erected till 226 B.C., when a strong earthquake hit the city, causing serious damage to city, harbor and snapped the statue by its knees, falling to land. Citizens refused to reconstruct it, thinking the god Helios was offended by the statue and caused the earthquake. The statue stayed where it fell, for about 900 years, till Muslim forces captured Rhodes and took the statue as spoils of war.

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1997	10000	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 10 Pesos (Colossus of Rhodes) 1997 coin.