Obverse. Photo © Coinsberg.com
  • 500 Afghanis 1996, KM# 1036.1, Afghanistan, Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics
  • 500 Afghanis 1996, KM# 1036.1, Afghanistan, Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics
Description

The 2000 Summer Olympics, also known as Sydney 2000 or the Millennium Olympic Games, took place from September 15 to October 1, 2000, in Sydney, Australia. It was the second time Australia hosted the Summer Olympics and the first in the Southern Hemisphere since Melbourne in 1956.

Sydney won the bid to host the 2000 Games in 1993. Teams from 199 countries participated, competing in over 300 events. The United States led the medal tally, followed by Russia and China, with Australia in fourth place. Several countries, including Cameroon and Colombia, won their first gold medals, while others like Barbados and Saudi Arabia won their first-ever Olympic medals.

Sydney's organization, volunteers, and sportsmanship received universal praise from the international media. The Times called it "one of the most successful events on the world stage," and the Electronic Telegraph hailed it as a benchmark for future Olympics. The success of the Sydney Games influenced London's bid for the 2012 Olympics, with Lord Coe citing them as a benchmark for the spirit of the Games.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan was established by the Peshawar Accords on April 26, 1992, with the participation of many Afghan mujahideen parties after the fall of the socialist government. However, its power was limited due to the country's second civil war, which the Taliban won, capturing Kabul in 1996. Consequently, the Islamic State became a government in exile and led the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. It remained the internationally recognized government of Afghanistan at the United Nations until 2001. After the overthrow of the first Taliban government, the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan was created, and an Afghan Interim Administration took control with US and NATO assistance. This transitional state later became the Islamic Republic, which lasted until the Taliban regained power in 2021 following a prolonged insurgency.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of the Islamic State of Afghanistan within two crossed swords the country name above and the denomination below in English.

The Emblem of the Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992-1996) features the shahada inscription in Arabic at the top. Below this is an image of a mosque with a mihrab and minbar (pulpit). On either side of the mosque are two flags representing Afghanistan, surrounded by wheat sheaves. Beneath the mosque, there is an inscription stating the name of the nation, and below that, the Hijri year 1371 (corresponding to 1992 in the Gregorian calendar), marking the establishment of the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

ISLAMIC STATE OF AFGHANISTAN
لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله
الله اكبر
۱۳٧۱
د افغانستان اسلامي دولت
5000
AFGHANIS

Reverse

Depicts a winged Athena bearing a torch, in front of Valley of the Temples and Parthenon. An inscription is placed above, with the city and date below.

Located on a ridge outside Agrigento, Sicily, the Valley of the Temples contains the remnants of seven Greek temples. The most well-preserved is the Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC, known for its large and well-preserved Doric columns, which stand 7 meters (22 feet) tall with a diameter of 1.3 meters (4.5 feet) at the base. Other notable temples include the Temple of Juno, used for weddings, and the Temple of Heracles, the oldest temple on the site, which now consists of only eight columns.

Construction of the Parthenon began in 447 BC, replacing an older temple destroyed by the Persians, and was completed in 432 BC. The Parthenon housed a massive statue of Athena Parthenos made from ivory, silver, and gold.

Athena, also known as Athene or Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft, later identified with the Roman goddess Minerva. As the patron and protector of cities, particularly Athens, she is honored by the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Her symbols include owls, olive trees, snakes, and the Gorgoneion. Depicted with a helmet and spear, Athena originated as an Aegean palace goddess and was closely tied to urban life. Celebrated in the Panathenaia festival, she was known for her virginity (Athena Parthenos), her role in aiding heroes, and her involvement in mythological tales like the Iliad and Odyssey. Since the Renaissance, she has symbolized wisdom, arts, freedom, and democracy.

XXVII OLYMPIC GAME
SYDNEY 2000
1996

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 20 g
Diameter 38 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

Islamic State, Equestrian

Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics

Cupronickel, 27 g, ⌀ 38 mm
Islamic State, Javelin Throw

Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics

Silver, 15 g, ⌀ 35 mm
Islamic State, Equestrian

Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics

Silver, 20 g, ⌀ 38 mm