Cyprus. New Silver Proof Coins Feature Myth of Rigaina Marking EU Council Presidency

On the 1st January of this year, Cyprus officially assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Cyprus assumed the presidency from Denmark and their tenure will conclude on the 30th June with Ireland taking over from Cyprus.

Each EU member state will assume the EU rotating presidency once every thirteen and a half years. During these rotating intervals, each member state to hold the presidency has an opportunity to advance their agenda subject to the agreement of all EU-member states. In December 2025, Cyprus announced they will advance an agenda through five interconnected pillars. The first in particular emphasises autonomy through security, defence, and preparedness, encompassing support for Ukraine, advancement of the EU's defence industrial framework, and implementation of the White Paper on European Defence and the Defence Readiness Roadmap by 2030. The presidency will also prioritise strengthening transatlantic relations and Euro-NATO cooperation as cornerstones of European security.​

Featured as a theme on the coin’s design is the myth of Rigaina, a foundational element of Cypriot folklore, focusing on a strikingly beautiful but mysterious, all-powerful queen. Tales of Rigaina are associated with numerous ruins across Cyprus, particularly fortified castles and ancient sites, casting her as both a wise ruler and, at times, a ruthless figure. Rigaina, the Queen of many faces is depicted variously in oral traditions, sometimes as a benevolent sovereign who built incredible structures, and other times as a cursed or cruel sorceress. The myth is typically used to explain the origins of various medieval ruins in Cyprus, such as Buffavento, Kantara, and St. Hilarion. She is often said to have lived in these remote castles. According to popular belief, Rigaina hid vast treasures within her castles before fleeing or dying, often guarded by curses, magical creatures, or hidden, winding passages. The myth is also deeply embedded in the Cypriot landscape, blending historical memory of Byzantine or Lusignan periods with mythical elements.

The proof quality silver coins are produced by the Minting facilities of the Bank of Greece in Athens and on behalf of The Central Bank of Cyprus. Designed by senior engraver George Stamatopoulos, the obverse side depicts a stylised depiction of a crowned Queen Rigaina overlooking one of her stronghold castles atop a mountain. The inscription ΤΑ ΚΆΣΤΡΑ ΤΗΣ ΡΉΓΑΙΝΑΣ (Rigaina’s Castles) is placed along the left rim with ΚΥΠΡΟΣ · KIBRIS placed above Queen Rigaina’s image. The denomination €5 is shown to the left of the primary design. The official logo of the Cypriot EU presidency designed by graphic artist Marios Kouroufexis is placed to the right of Rigiana. The logo itself is shown with a golden applied colour and represents the 27 EU member states that come together to signify unity, solidarity, and closer integration, as well as evoking the Cypriot sun to symbolise light, energy, and renewal. The reverse side features the emblem of the Central Bank of Cyprus which is centred. Above the emblem is the text CYPRUS · ΚΥΠΡΟΣ · KIBRIS and the year 2026 is placed just under the text.

Available to order from the 16th March, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the retail webpage of the Central Bank of Cyprus. Interested collectors may also contact the central bank by telephone at +357 22714745 or +357 22714154, or by email at numismatic.orders@centralbank.cy.