Vasilis Michaelides, with the epic character of his poetry, has been recognised as the national poet of Cyprus. Having taken part in national struggles as a volunteer, he wrote excellent patriotic poems. Moreover, he has been distinguished as a leading lyric poet and as one of the most important idiomatic (vernacular) poets of Cyprus. The coin, which depicts a portrait of the poet, has been designed by George Stamatopoulos. The coin was minted by the Greek Mint.