2 Euro commemorative coins Greece

Greece

2 Euro

C o m m e m o r a t i v e C o i n s

Greece
The edge lettering on the Greek 2‐Euro‐commemorative coins is : (Hellenic Republic)	Greek mint mark :

Image	Country		Date	Feature	Ref.	Volume
🔎		Greece	14 May 2004	Summer Olympics in Athens 2004	20001 20002 20005	35,000,000	•
	Description : None of the bronze statues by one of the most important sculptors of Greek antiquity, Myron, is preserved, which were still being praised centuries after his death. However, in 1781 a Roman marble copy of the discus thrower created around 455 BC was found on the Esquiline. On the occasion of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Panagiotis Gravalos depicted the Discobolos on the first € 2 commemorative coin. On the left is the official designation "ATHENS 2004" of the 2004 Summer Olympics, including the five Olympic rings. On the right is the face value of the coin "2 ΕΥΡΩ" in Greek. The year "2004" flanks the 6 o'clock star halfway on each side. Above the head of the statue is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri. In its base, the designer's initials "ΠΓ" are shown on the left and the engraver Konstantinos Kazakos' initials "ΚΚ" on the right.

🔎		Greece	26 Mar. 2007	50th anniversary of the Signature of the Treaty of Rome	20001 20002 20005	3,978,549	•
	Description : The Treaty establishing the European Community, called the Treaty of Rome (originally called the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and renamed the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in December 2009) was signed on 25 March 1957 by Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands at the Conservatory Palace in Rome. It came into force on 1st of January 1958. At the same time two other treaties were concluded, the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, which established EURATOM, and the Agreement on Institutions Common to the European Communities, which stipulated that the European Economic Community (EEC), the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) had a common parliamentary assembly (now the European Parliament), a common Court of Justice and a common Economic and Social Committee. On the 5th of May 2006, EU Commissioner Joaquín Almunia and Eurogroup President Jean‐Claude Juncker announced the first transnational 2‐Euro commemorative coin to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The directors of the Italian mint Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the Spanish mint Real Casa de la Moneda and the Austrian Mint Münze Österreich AG met in Vienna to exchange ideas. The ideas were presented and amalgamated into a design by the commissioned engraver Helmut Andexlinger, after approval he produced a model of the coin. It shows the treaty with the signatures of the representatives from the six founding states, framed by the pavement pattern of the Capitol Square in Rome, designed by Michelangelo where the treaty was signed. National characteristics : At the top are the words "ΣΥΝΘΗΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ" (Treaty of Rome) and "50 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ" (50 years), below it is an illustration of the treaty with the words "ΕΥΡΩΠΗ" (EUROPE). At the bottom of the motif are the words "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) above it is the year "2007". On the right is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri.

🔎		Greece	02 Jan. 2009	10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)	20001 20002 20005	4,000,000	•
	Description : In 1972 the European Exchange Rate Mechanism was created to limit fluctuations between currencies. In 1975 a basket of currencies was used to define the European Currency Unit (ECU) and in 1979 the European Monetary System was created. 1990 saw the start of the first stage of European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and in 1994 the second stage, during which the European Monetary Institute prepared for the establishment of the European Central Bank (ECB). In 1996 the European Commission established the currency abbreviation €. In 1999, saw the third stage of EMU, all participating currencies were linked to the euro by exchange rate parity. In 2008 a design competition was held for the EMU Community Edition coin and out of 5 proposals a winner, Georgios Stamatopoulos was determined by an online vote. The design shows a stylised human stick figure on the blank space of an irregularly shaped ancient coin, with the € symbol on the left arm. It symbolises the transition from the bartering of archaic times to European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Below the € symbol are the designer's initials "ΓΣ" and the years "1999‐2009". National characteristics : Above is the name of the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic), the acronym of the occasion of issue below is "ΟΝΕ". On the right is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri.

🔎>		Greece	25 Oct. 2010	25th Centenary of the Battle of Marathon	20001 20002 20005	2,500,000	•
	Description : The coin, designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, shows a fighting Hoplite at the Battle of Marathon with a spear and an oversized shield, a protective weapon. This is intended to symbolise the noble ideals of freedom and perseverance for which the Battle of Marathon stands, while the bird on the shield is intended to symbolise the birth of Western civilisation. The conflict resulted from the attempt of the Persian Great King Darius I to intervene in Athens with an expeditionary corps and bring about a change of rule. At the top, the occasion for the issue "ΜΑΡΑΘΩΝΑΣ 2500 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ" (Marathon 2500th Anniversary) is circular, and the dates "490 Π.Χ." (490 BC) and "2010 Η.Χ." (2010 AD) are at the bottom right, the name of the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) is shown at the bottom left. A palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri is shown on the left, with the designer's initials "ΓΣ" below.

🔎		Greece	30 May 2011	XIII. Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens 2011	20001 20002 20005	1,000,000	•
	Description : The Summer Games for people with intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities were held in Athens from the 25th of June to the 4th of July 2011. The coin design representing the emblem of the Games, a stylised human figure in a spiral ending in a laurel branch, is by Georgios Stamatopoulos. The emblem symbolises a radiant sun as the source of life and the power of the participating athlete expressed by the spiral shape, as well as his special achievement represented by the laurel branch. At the top right is in a quarter‐circle of two lines the occasion "XII SPECIAL OLYMPICS W.S.G." (W.S.G.= World Summer Games) and "ATHENS 2011" mentioned, below which is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri. Below is the name of the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic).

🔎		Greece	02 Jan. 2012	10th anniversary of the Euro‐Currency	20001 20002 20005	1,000,000	•
	Description : To mark the tenth anniversary of the final adoption of the euro as cash, all 17 EU countries using the euro as their official currency issued a commemorative € 2 coin. There were five designs submitted, which could be voted for online. The result was announed on the 30th of June 2011: the winning design was created by Helmut Andexlinger and shows a globe in the middle, overlaid with the euro symbol. The importance of the euro in Europe and the world as a whole coupled with the fact that it has become a global player in the international monetary system over the last ten years, is illustrated by the euro symbol. According to the designer, the symbolic elements around the stylised globe represent the suggestion that the euro offers more opportunities for businesses and markets which in turn ensures economic stability by encouraging investment in this environment. The factory shape symbolises production, the cargo ship trade, all of which benefit the symbolic family of four with three homes by providing more quality jobs and stable consumer prices. The symbol of the Eurotower in Frankfurt/M. represents financial strength and the two wind turbines shows stimulation in innovative investments that this environment presents, whose central element is the euro. At the bottom of the coin are the years "2002 and "2012". National characteristics : At the top of the coin is the name of the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). To the right, between the symbols of house and the family is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri.

🔎		Greece	01 Oct. 2013	100th anniversary of the union of Crete with Greece	20001 20002 20005	754,000	•
	Description : The coin, designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, shows Cretan rebels surrounded by laurel branches with fruit in Theriso, a municipality near Chania, during the 1905 revolt against the Ottomans led by Eleftherios Venizelos. The Greek national flag on land there was embroidered with the motto "unification or death". The Treaty of London in 1913 made the island part of the Greek state. On the top left is "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) shown, on the right a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri and below the dates "1913‐2013". At the botton is a semicircular description of the occation of issue: "100 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ" (100 years since the unification of Crete with Greece).

🔎		Greece	01 Oct. 2013	2,400th anniversary of the founding of Plato’s Academy	20001 20002 20005	754,000	•
	Description : The School of Philosophy founded by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato (∼428‐348 BC) in the grove of the Attic hero Akademos in north‐western Athens, called the Akademeia, existed for almost a millennium until Justinian I prohibited teaching in 529. Its teachings were passed on to medieval Europe via the Arab world. The coin, designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, shows the head of Plato's bronze statue, created by Silanion and preserved in Roman copies, which was placed in the Academy after his death. The left‐hand side shows the occasion of issue "2400 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΙΔΡΥΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΚΑΔΗΜΙΑΣ ΠΛΑΤΩΝΟΣ" (2400 years since the founding of the Plato Academy) and "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic), the right‐hand side shows a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri and the year of issue "2013".

🔎		Greece	24 Sep. 2014	400th anniversary of the death of Dominikos Theotokópoulos	20001 20002 20005>	750,000	•
	Description : The commemorative coin designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos is dedicated to Dominikos Theotokópoulos (1541‐1614), known as El Greco, the painter, sculptor and architect from Crete (then part of the Republic of Venice). Trained as an icon‐painter of Byzantine tradition, he came into contact with Titian's High Renaissance art in Venice in 1567, opened his own workshop in Rome in 1572 and went to Toledo in 1576, where he became an exponent of Spanish Mannerism. On the right side is the self‐portrait of El Greco from 1604 (oil on linen, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), which is called Portrait of a man. On the left side is the portrait of the apostle Paul, painted about 1612, in the folds of which the designer's signet "ΣΤΑΜ" appears at the bottom. At the top left is "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic), next to it "2014". Underneath is the signature of El Greco, at the top right a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri. Below are the names and dates of El Greco's life: "ΔΟΜΗΝΙΚΟΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ 1541‐1614" (Dominikos Theotokópoulos 1541‐1614).

🔎		Greece	24 Sep. 2014	150th anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : The Ionian Islands, after six centuries under the rule of the Republic of Venice, formed the Republic of the Seven Islands in 1800 under Ottoman sovereignty. In 1803, Greek became the official language instead of Italian. The British protectorate of the United States of the Ionian Islands, established in 1815, became the administrative region of the Ionian Islands in 1864 and was united with the Greek state, which had been independent since 1830. According to the coin designer Maria Andonatou, whose signet is an "M" in the lower left‐hand circle, the seven‐pointed star symbolises the "Ionian dimension" (Ιονια Διασταση) of the seven islands (Επτανησα/Eptanisa), which produced and inspired important musicians, poets, painters and politicians. In clockwise direction, starting at the top, the symbols show Corfu: "Απηδαλος Ναυς" (ancient Greek: apēdalos naus), a monere, an ancient rowing ship with a square sail, mythical, thought‐directed rudderless ship of the Phaiaken from Scheria, to which the Corfiotes trace back (in the coat of arms of Corfu, however, they are depicted as normal moneres) — Zakynthos: tribrach according to an ancient coin of Acarnania, symbol of Apollo, as a reference to the cult of Apollo which is widespread here — Ithaca: mythical home of Odysseus, depicted with a felt hat Pilos — Paxos: trident of Poseidon, with which, according to myth, Paxos separated Paxos from Corfu to be undisturbed with his beloved Amphitrite — Kythira: Aphrodite, according to the myth, rose from the sea there, depicted on a scallop — Lefkada: "Απολλωνια Αρπα" (Apollo's lyre) as a symbol of the great musical traditions of the island — Kefalonia: Kephalos, son of Hermes, mythical figure and eponym of the island. The motif on the coin is framed by an antique meandering ornament known as a running dog, which is reminiscent of rolling waves. At the centre is "150 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΩΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΠΤΑΝΗΣΩΝ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ 1864‐2014" (150 years of union of the Seven Islands with Greece 1864‐2014) and "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). Underneath is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri.

🔎		Greece	23 Dec. 2015	75 years since the death of Spyros Louis	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : In 1896, at the first Olympic Games of modern times, a marathon was held at the suggestion of the Philhellene Michael Bréal. At that time, silver medals were awarded to the winners, and the winner of the marathon, Spyros Louis, also received a silver cup donated by Bréal, which survived the turbulent 20th century unscathed in the family's possession and is now on display in the Acropolis Museum. The 15 cm high goblet is decorated with birds, an insect and marsh plants such as the iris, which symbolizes chivalry and was once native to the Marathon marshes, which were drained in the mid‐20th century. The inscription reads: "Olympic Games ‐ 1896 ‐ Marathon trophy ‐ donated by Michael Bréal". The design of the coin depicts the athlete, according to a contemporary photograph, dressed in the traditional costume of the Evzones and in front of the Panathenian Stadium, which serves as the finishing line, a reconstruction of the stadium built around 330 BC for the Panathenian Games. On the left is the state name "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) and on the right "75 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΜΝΗΜΗΣ ΣΠΥΡΟΥ ΛΟΥΗ" (75 years of commemoration of Spyros Louis). Above the cup is the year of issue "2015", to the right of which is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri. At the lower edge of the coin's design is the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	23 Dec. 2015	30th anniversary of the EU‐Flag	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : From 1950, the Council of Europe had been working on the design of a flag for Europe. The proposal to adopt the emblem of the Paneuropa Union, founded by Richard Coudenhove‐Kalergi in 1922, was rejected because of its supposed Christian symbolism. In 1955 it was agreed that the European flag, also adopted by the European Community on 29th of June 1985, would be the European flag with the twelve (a number of twelve is considered a sign of perfection) golden stars in a circular (symbolising unity) arrangement on a blue background. To mark the 30th anniversary of the EU flag, all 19 EU countries which use the euro as their official currency issued a commemorative €2 coin. There were five designs to choose from which could be voted for online. The result was declared on 28th of May 2015. The coin design was created by Georgios Stamatopoulos, coin designer at the Bank of Greece, whose initials "ΓΣ" can be seen in the lower right‐hand corner. It shows twelve stylised persons in a circle around a European flag with the twelve euro stars. National characteristics : Above is the name of the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic), followed by the dates "1985‐2015". On the right is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri.

🔎		Greece	16 Dec. 2016	150 years from the Arkadi Monastery Torching	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : The monastery church of Arkadi was built in 1587 during the Venetian domination of Crete as a reconstruction of an earlier church. After the conquest of Crete by the Ottoman Empire, which was completed in 1669, the monks obtained permission to return to Arkadi after their subjugation. In 1760 there were 200,000 Muslims and 60,000 Christians living on Crete. In 1866 a revolutionary committee against the Ottoman occupation was formed in the monastery of Arkadi. On the 7th of November 1866, an Ottoman army of 15,000 men attacked the monastery, which was home to 964 people, including 325 men fit for battle. After two days of hopeless resistance, the besieged decided not to fall into the hands of the enemy alive and blew themselves up in the powder magazine. The tragedy caused an international sensation. After the Turkish‐Greek War, Crete gained autonomy in 1898, and in 1913 Crete finally became part of the Greek state. Around 50,000 Turks had to leave the island, and many Greeks from Asia Minor moved to Crete. The coin shows the west façade of the church and below it the inscription "ΜΟΝΗ ΑΡΚΑΔΙΟΥ" (Arkadi monastery). On the left is "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic), on the right the year of issue "2016". Below is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri. The signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos appears on the lower right.

🔎		Greece	16 Dec. 2016	120th birthday of Dimitri Mitropoulos	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : The profile of the Greek conductor, composer and pianist Dimitri Mitropoulos (1896‐1960) is depicted against a background of ‐ upside down, sometimes reversed ‐ musical notes. The words "120 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ" (120th birthday of Dimitri Mitropoulos) and "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) appear in two lines on the left‐hand side of the inner edge of the coin. In the upper left‐hand corner, the year of issue "2016" and a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri are shown. The collar of the musician shows the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	10 Jul. 2017	60 years since the death of Nikos Kazantzakis	20001 20002	750,000	•
	Description : In profile is Nikos Kazantzakis (1883‐1957), one of the most important Greek writers of the 20th century, who wrote the novel Aleix Zorba in 1946, which became known to a wide audience through the film adaptation by Michael Cacoyannis, starring Anthony Quinn, and the music of Mikis Theodorakis. In the top left‐hand corner you can read "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ 2017" in two lines ("Hellenic Republic 2017") and "ΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΑΖΑΝΤΖΑΚΗΣ" (Nikos Kazantzakis). Below this is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri. On the right is the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	12 Oct. 2017	Archaeological site of Philippi	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : Philip II of Macedonia re‐founded the city under his name in 356 BC ‐ previously its Thracian name was Daton. Philippi, the oldest Christian church foundation in Europe, was declared a world heritage site in 2016. The motif on the coin depicts the ruins of Basilica B, built in the 6th century, underlaid with meandering patterns of the mosaic floor of the neighbouring Octagon Church, which dates from the 5th century. In the semi‐circle in the two lines "ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΣ ΧΩΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΩΝ" (Philippi Archaeological Site) and "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) are written in the upper left‐hand corner. Above is the year of issue "2017", on the right a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri is shown, on the left the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	25 Oct. 2018	75th anniversary of the death of Kostis Palamas	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : Kostis Palamas (1858‐1943), a Greek literary figure, made a decisive contribution with his poetry to the fact that the modern Greek vernacular was able to assert itself against the antiquated high‐level language in literature. On the occasion of the 1st Olympic Games in Athens 1896 he wrote the text of the Olympic hymn. On the left is the arched, two‐line text "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" ("Hellenic Republic") and "ΚΩΣΤΗΣ ΠΑΛΑΜΑΣ" (Kostis Palamas). A palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri is shown on the left. On the right, the year of issue "2018" and the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos, who designed the portrait after a photograph of the poet.

🔎		Greece	25 Oct. 2018	70th anniversary of the union of the Dodecanese with Greece	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : After about 400 years as part of the Ottoman Empire (1523‐1912) the Dodecanese became the Italian Aegean Islands in 1912‐1943. After German occupation (1943‐1945) it became a British protectorate. On the 15th of September 1947 the cession of the Dodecanese agreed with Italy at the 1946 Paris Peace Conference came into force and on the 7th of March 1948 formal unification with Greece was achieved with the creation of the Dodecanese prefecture. The coin, designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, shows a rose as a symbol of the main island of the Dodecanese, Rhodes, surrounded by concentric stylised waves. Rhodian coins with this rose motif were already minted around 100 BC. At the top is written in a semicircle "1948‐2018 Η ΕΝΩΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΔΩΔΕΚΑΝΗΣΩΝ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ" (1948‐2018 union of the Dodecanese with Greece), below "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" ("Hellenic Republic"). On the left is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri, on the right the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer.

🔎		Greece	11 Jul. 2019	100th birthday of Manolis Andronikos	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : Manolis Andronikos (1919‐1992) was a Greek archaeologist who discovered in 1977 in the historical centre of Macedonia the richly furnished sovereign tombs untouched by grave robbers under a large tumulus ‐ a worldwide archaeological sensation. The excavation site near Vergina ‐ probably identical with the ancient city of "Aigeai", until 410 BC capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia ‐ has been listed as a UNESCO&dash:World Heritage Site since 1996. Two golden caskets with bones were found in a grave. The male bones in the larger Larnax, which is decorated with a sun symbol known as the "Star of Vergina", were also wrapped in a purple cloak and an oak leaf made of chased gold and an acorn crown were enclosed ‐ probably royal burial objects. Andronikos assumed that it was the tomb of Philipp II (∼382‐336 BC), father of Alexander the Great ‐ but this attribution is disputed. The coin, designed after a photograph, shows the archaeologist, his head resting on his right hand. On the left is his name and dates of birth "ΜΑΝΛΗΣ ΑΝΔΡΟΝΙΚΟΣ 1919‐1992" (Manolis Andronikos 1919‐1992), a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri together with the year "2019", on the right "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) and the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	11 Jul. 2019	150th anniversary of the death of Andreas Kalvos	20001 20002 20005	750,000	•
	Description : Andreas Kalvos (1792‐1869), born on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, which was then part of the Republic of Venice, is one of the most important poets of modern Greece. In his works he combined linguistic elements of ancient and modern Greek with the high ideals of romanticism. His poetry expressed both the revolutionary ideals of his time and his personal visions. The coin features a portrait of the writer. On the left is his name and years of his birth and death "ΑΝΔΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΛΒΟΣ 1792‐1869" (Andreas Kalvos 1792‐1869), a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri and the year "2019", on the right "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) and the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	30 Jun. 2020	25th Centenary of the Battle of Thermopylae	20002 20007 20008	750,000	•
	Description : In 480 BC, at the beginning of the Second Persian War, a Persian army of at least 50,000 men stood before Thermopylae under King Xerxes I. This narrow section of the only road along the coast to inner Greece ‐ according to Herodotus only wide enough for a wagon ‐ blocked a Greek army of almost 7000 men. At first they inflicted heavy losses on the Persians, but Ephialtes of Trachis is said to have led Persians on a footpath over the mountains into the Greek back. The subsequent retreat of a large part of the Greek army was still covered by 700 Thespians and 300 Spartans under Leonidas I, until their death. The local monument dedicated to "Ω ξειν, αγγελλειν Λακεδαιμονιοις ωτι τηδε κειμεθα τοις κεινων ρημασι πειθομενοι." (Latin: Dic hospes Spartae nos te hic vidisse iacentes, dum sanctis patriae legibus obsequimur. / German according to Friedrich Schiller: walker, if you come to Sparta, announce there, you have seen us lying here, as the law ordered). The coin depicts the helmet of a Hoplite with a horsehair comb, surrounded in a circle by a meandering ornament and the text "2500 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΜΑΧΗ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΡΜΟΠΥΛΩΝ" (2500 years since the Battle of Thermopylae) and "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). On the left is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri and the year of issue "2020", on the right below the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer Georgios Stamatopoulos.

🔎		Greece	16 Jul. 2020	100th anniversary of the union between Thrace and Greece	20002 20007 20008	750,000	•
	Description : The region of Thrace, which was unified with Greece in 1920 under the Treaty of Sèvres, accounts for 12% of only the western part of the historical landscape of Thrace, which was settled by Thracians around the 4th century BC ‐ the European part of Turkey, Eastern Thrace, accounts for 31%, Northern Thrace in Bulgaria for 57%. The current border between Turkey and Greece has its origins in the Treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923. The coin, designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, shows a stater (tetrobel), from around the 4th century BC, from the ancient city of Abdera, home of the philosophers Democritus and Protagoras. It depicts a griffin, under the inscription "ΑΒΔΗΡΑ" (Abdera). At the top is written in a semicircle "100 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΣΩΜΑΤΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΘΡΑΚΗΣ" (100 years since the integration of Thrace), below "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). On the left is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri, and (under the griffin) the signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the coin designer and on the right the year of issue "2020".

🔎		Greece	22 Apr. 2021	200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution	20002 20007 20008	1,500,000	•
	Description : After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II, most of the Greek‐speaking area belonged to the Ottoman Empire for four hundred years. However, there were hardly any Turks in the Greek heartland ‐ rather, Greece was predominantly ruled by Greeks who cooperated with the Sultan. The Greek Revolution (1821‐1829) refers to the struggle against Ottoman rule and for an independent Greek republic. The drive for independence was initially supported by the great powers of France, Britain and Russia, mainly for tactical reasons. The 25th of March 1821 marked the beginning of the Greek revolution; today the 25th of March is a bank holiday in Greece. The coin, designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, shows a circular section of the flag of Greece surrounded by twelve laurel branch tips as a symbol of honour, glory and victory. Circularly, the occasion of issue is indicated as "1821‐2021 200 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΠΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΗ" (1821‐2021 200 years since the Greek Revolution) and the country of issue "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). Below is a palmette the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri and above it the designer's signet "ΣΤΑΜ".

🔎		Greece	01 Jul. 2022	200th anniverasy of the first Greek Constitution	20003 20005	750,000	•
	Work in progress

🔎		Greece	01 Jul. 2022	35th anniversary of the Erasmus Program	20003 20005 20009	750,000	•
	Description : ERASMUS is a backronym for EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. The ERASMUS exchange programme is aimed at EU citizens who have been studying at a university for at least one year and supports a three to twelve‐month stay abroad at a university within the EU, or an internship. In addition, there are master's and doctoral programmes, programmes for young entrepreneurs, for school education, vocational training and adult education. Internships as well as professional development measures are financially supported and language courses abroad are also made possible for working people. The backronym refers to the Dutch philosopher and theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam (∼1466‐1536), described as "the crowning glory of the Christian humanists", depicted after a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger created in 1523. The French coin designer Joaquin Jimenez, whose initials "J.J." appear next to Erasmus' pen, has designed as a background a network of connecting lines between the twelve stars arranged in a circle and symbolising Europe, which is intended to represent the manifold intellectual and human exchanges between European students. By relieving some partial areas between the connecting lines, the numbers 3 and 5 emerge, referring to the 35th anniversary of the programme. In a block of three to four lines of lettering arranged in a quarter circle at the bottom right, the commemorative period is written as "1987-2022" (the last number also designating the year of issue) below the occasion of issue, followed by the name of the issuing state, if this does not consist of an abbreviation placed in the centre of the motif. National characteristics : The quarter circle at the bottom right has four lines; below the commemorative period, the issue occasion "ERASMUS PROGRAMME" is written in two lines, below it the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). On the bottom on the left sleeve is a palmette as the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri.

🔎		Greece	27 Jun. 2023	100th birthday of Maria Callas	20003 20005 20009	750,000	•
	Description : Maria Callas, daughter of Greek immigrants, was registered with the surname Kalos at birth in New York on the 2nd of December 1923. Her father changed the original surname Kalogeropoulos to Callas in 1929. After her parents separated, Maria Callas followed her mother to Athens in 1937, where she studied singing at the local conservatory. One of the most important sopranos of the 20th century, she mastered a repertoire of 43 complete roles as well as arias from a further 34 operas. Her vocal range was almost three octaves and she mastered all the vocal tonal techniques of bel canto singing (as in operas by Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini). Her most famous interpretations include Luigi Cherubini's Medea, Violetta in Verdi's 'La traviata' and Bellini's Norma. Maria Callas was often called 'La Divina' (the Divine). In 1949 she married the Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Battista Meneghini and took Italian citizenship. However, her love affair with the Greek‐Argentine shipowner and billionaire Aristotle Onassis led to the breakdown of their marriage in 1959. Maria Callas died in Paris in 1977 at the age of 53. Her ashes were scattered in the Ionian Sea off the Greek island of Skorpios, a private island owned by the Onassis family. The coin shows a portrait of the singer in side view, framed on the left and above in a circular arc by the occasion of issue "100 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΑΡΙΑΣ ΚΑΛΛΑΣ" (100th years since the birth of Maria Callas) and at the bottom of "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). On the right is a palmette as the mint mark of the Greek mint Νομισματοκοπειο / Nomismatokopeio (Bank of Greece ‐ Mint) in Halandri and below it the year of issue "2023". The signet "ΣΤΑΜ" of the mint designer Georgios Stamatopoulos is at the bottom left.

🔎		Greece	14 Sep. 2023	150th birthday of Constantin Carathéodory	20003 20005	750,000	•
	Work in progress

		Greece	17 Jun. 2024	150th birthday of Penelope Delta	20003	750,000	•
	Work in progress

		Greece	17 Jun. 2024	50th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece	20003	750,000	•
	Work in progress

References :
20001	Images taken with authorisation by the ECB ‐ Mail dated 20.Feb.2020 © "European Central Bank"	20002	Data mirrored from Wikipedia Page "2_euro_commemorative_coins" with friendly support of the guardians of that page.
20003	Images taken with authorisation by H....... Hamburg	20004	Coloured version of this Commemorative Coin in circulation EU‐legal‐technical specifications do not recongnise colour prints. The EU nevertheless tolerates them, as their numbers are very small and they are sold in special packs and therefor are very unlikely to be used as currency.
20005	enlarged Images taken with authorisation by Gerd Seyffert © "Gerd Seyffert 2021"	20006	Not Applicable
20007	Images taken by Münzen Kreuzberg © "Münzen Kreuzberg 2021"	20008	enlarged Images taken by Münzen Kreuzberg © "Münzen Kreuzberg 2021"
20009	Text with kind permission by Gerd Seyffert © "Gerd Seyffert 2023"	20010	Not Applicable