50 Euros Minoan Civilization

Part of the Bank of Greece's ongoing "Civilizations" bullion series, this miniature gold piece was issued alongside silver and larger gold denominations treating the same subject. The Minoan palatial period — centered on Knossos and reaching its height around 1700–1450 BC — was brought to modern scholarly attention largely through Arthur Evans's excavations beginning in 1900, work that proved as controversial for its reconstructions as it was celebrated for its discoveries.