World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20 to remember Anton Jansa, the pioneer of beekeeping who was born on 20th May 1734.

Anton Jansa, who in the 18th century pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in his native Slovenia and praised the bees for their ability to work hard. Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.

Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are a key to conserving biodiversity. To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.

To the Ionian Greeks, Bee was a sacred animal. That is why Silver Drachm of Phoenicia, Arados. The bee was associated with Ephesus for many reasons. The Athenians who came to colonize Ionia, where Ephesus is located, were led by the Muses, who took the shape of bees. Hence a bee appears on the Obverse on their coins flanked by Greek alphabets.

In 1972 Malta issued a 3 mils denominated coin in the shape of a flower. The coin depicts a bee on beehive in the centre surrounded by four dolphins on left and right and the name of the country along with year of issue on top and bottom respectively.

Image Courtesy: https://www.vcoins.com and http://www.worldofcoins.eu