Greece

The Athenian trireme (5th century BC)

The corvette used during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1827).

The modern tanker.

Rigas-Fereos (Velestinlis) (1757-1798), a forerunner of the Greek enlightenment and confederation, and a visionary of Balkan liberation from Ottoman rule.

Ioannis Capodistrias (1776-1831), first Governor of Greece (1830-1831) after the Greek War of Independence (1821-1827).

Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936), a pioneer in social reform who played a key role in modernising the Greek state.

Design of the Athenian owl that appeared on the ancient 4-drachma coin (5th century BC).

depicts a scene from a mosaic in Sparta (third century AD), showing Europa being abducted by Zeus, who has taken the form of a bull. Europa is a figure from Greek mythology after whom Europe was named. Edge lettering of the €2 coin: EΛΛHNIKH ΔHMOKPATIA * (Hellenic Republic).

The design features the Greek flag at the centre, encircled by laurel branches. Inscribed along the inner edge are the wordings ‘1821 – 2021 200 YEARS SINCE THE GREEK REVOLUTION’ and ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. Visible, at the bottom, between two laurel branches, are a palmette (the minmark of the Greek Mint) and the signature of the artist (George Stamatopoulos).

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design depicts an ancient Greek helmet. Inscribed along the inner edge are the words “2500 YEARS SINCE THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE” and “HELLENIC REPUBLIC”. Also inscribed in the background are the year of issuance “2020” and a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek mint). Visible down and right of the helmet is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). Although ending in defeat for the Greeks, the Battle of Thermopylae remains a timeless symbol of heroic resistance.

At the center of the coin is a replica of an ancient Greek coin, Tetrobolus or Statere, minted during the third or fourth century BC. in the city of Abdera in Thrace, containing a griffin, a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Around the arch is the Anthemion (a flower represented in a stylized form), symbol of the Athens Mint; the inscription "100 XPONIA AΠO THN ENΣΩMATΩΣH THΣ ΘPAKHΣ" (100 years since the incorporation of Thrace into Greece); the year of issue "2020" and the inscription "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic democracy). Under the front legs of the griffin the monogram of the author George Stamatopoulos. On the outer edge 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union.

Manolis Andronicos (1919-1992) was one of Greece’s greatest archaeologists. His discovery of the royal tombs at Vergina in 1977 brought to light exquisite finds that attest to the splendour of ancient Macedonian civilisation. The design features a portrait of Manolis Andronicos. Inscribed along the inner edge at left is the name ‘MANOLIS ANDRONICOS 1919-1992’, along with the minting year and a palmette (mintmark of the Greek Mint); inscribed along the inner edge at right is the wording ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. Also visible at the right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Born in Zante, Andreas Kalvos (1792-1869) is one the most important modern Greek poets. Combining a solid neo-classicist education with the high ideals of Romanticism and archaicising with demotic Greek, he expressed both the revolutionary ideas of his time and his personal vision. The national side of the coin features a portrait of Andreas Kalvos. Inscribed along the inner edge at the left is the name ‘ANDREAS KALVOS 1792-1869’, along with the minting year and a palmette (mintmark of the Greek Mint); inscribed along the inner edge at the right is the wording ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. Also visible at the right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

The design features a portrait of the Greek poet Kostis Palamas (1859-1943). Inscribed along the inner edge at left is the wording "HELLENIC REPUBLIC" and the name "KOSTIS PALAMAS" (in Greek). Also inscribed is a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek Mint) and the year of issuance "2018". Visible at the lower right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design features in the central part a rose, the canting badge of Rhodes, inspired from a coin minted by the ancient city of Rhodes, one of the most characteristic coins of the Dodecanese, with stylised waves fanning out from the centre. Inscribed along the inner edge is the wording "1948-2018 THE UNION OF THE DODECANESE WITH GREECE" and "HELLENIC REPUBLIC" (in Greek). Also visible at left is a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek mint) and, at right, the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design features a profile portrait of Nikos Kazantzakis, one of Greece's greatest 20th century writers. Inscribed along the inner circle, at the left, is the wording "HELLENIC REPUBLIC" and the name "NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS" (in Greek). At the top is the year of issuance "2017" and at centre left a palmette (the mint mark of the Greek Mint). Also visible at lower right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design features part of Basilica B and linear motifs inspired by a border pattern from an ancient Greek mosaic discovered at the site. Inscribed along the inner circle is the wording "ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF PHILIPPI" and "HELLENIC REPUBLIC" (in Greek). Also inscribed in the backgound is the year of issuance "2017" and to the right a palmette (the mint mark of the Greek Mint). Visible at the lower left is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design features the Arkadi Monastery. Inscribed, at centre, is the wording "ARKADI MONASTERY" and along the inner edge at left "HELLENIC REPUBLIC", in Greek. Visible at upper right is the year of issuance "2016" and below the central inscription a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek Mint). Inscribed at lower right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design features the portrait of Dimitri Mitropoulos against the background of music notes. Inscribed along the inner edge at left is the wording "120 YEARS OF THE BIRTH OF DIMITRI MITROPOULOS" and "HELLENIC REPUBLIC", in Greek. At upper left apears the year of issuance "2016" and a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek Mint). Visible at lower right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The design shows Spyros Louis and the cup that he was awarded, against the background with the Panathenaic Stadium. Inscribed along the inner edge is the country of issuance "HELLENIC REPUBLIC" and "75 YEARS IN MEMORIAM OF SPYROS LOUIS" (in Greek). Above the cup appears the year of issuance "2015" and to the right a palmette (the mint mark of the Greek Mint). Visible at the bottom of the design is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos).

Common issue

Twelve stars that morph into human figures are embracing the birth of a new Europe. The design shows the EU flag as a symbol that unites people and cultures with shared visions and ideals for a better common future.

The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Domenikos Theotokopoulos. The background features a typical figure from his work, illustrative of his technique. On the left: the year 2014 and the characteristic signature of the artist («Domenikos Theotokopoulos Epoiei»). On the right: the mint mark of the Greek State Mint. The entire design is encircled in an inscription reading in Greek “DOMENIKOS THEOTOKOPOULOS 1541-1614” and the name of the issuing country “HELLENIC REPUBLIC”.

The inner part of the coin depicts a seven-pointed star inscribed in Greek with the words: “150 YEARS SINCE THE UNION OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS (EPTA’NISA) WITH GREECE 1864-2014”, the name of the issuing country “HELLENIC REPUBLIC” and the mint mark of the Greek State Mint. The spaces between the points of the star feature the symbols of the Ionian Islands. The entire design is encircled in a decorative stylised wave motif.

The coin depicts a portrait of Plato (in profile). On the left: the words “2400 years since the founding of Plato’s Academy” and “Hellenic Republic” in ancient Greek lettering. On the right: “2013” and the monogram of the Greek Mint. In exergue, “ΣΤΑΜ” (monogram of the author G. Stamatopoulos).

The inner part of the coin depicts Cretan rebels raising the Greek flag, a symbolic representation of Crete’s struggle for Union with Greece. On the upper side, in circular sense and with capital letters the name of the issuing country “Hellenic Republic” in Greek. Underneath the words: “100 years of the union of Crete with Greece” in Greek. On the right: “1913- 2013” and the monogram of the Greek Mint. In exergue, “ΣΤΑΜ” (monogram of the author G. Stamatopoulos).

Common issue

The Euro-sign in the centre of the coin shows that the Euro has become an element of particular importance in Europe as well all over the world as the Euro evolved to a global player in the international monetary system in the last 10 years. The design elements around the Euro-symbol on the coin express the importance of the Euro to the people, to the financial world (ECB tower), to trading (ships), to industry (factories), to the energy sector and research and development (wind power stations). The initials AH of the artist appear under the image of the ECB tower. The name(s) of the issuing country in the national language(s) appear(s) at the top, while the indication 2002-2012 appears at the bottom.

The center of the coin shows the emblem of the Games, a radiant sun the source of life that underlines the excellence and power of the athlete that takes part in the Games. Excellence is depicted in the olive branch and power in the spiral form in the center of the sun. Around the image is written the sign XIII SPECIAL OLYMPICS W.S.G. ATHENS 2011 as well as the issuing country ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ. The mintmark is also depicted in between.

The coin commemorates the 2.500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. The centre of the coin shows a synthesis of a shield and a runner/warrior symbolizing the battle for freedom and the noble ideals derived from the battle of Marathon. The bird on the shield symbolizes the birth of western civilization in its present form.

Common issue

The centre of the coin shows a stylised human figure whose left arm is prolonged by the euro symbol. The initials ΓΣ of the artist appear below the euro symbol. The name(s) of the issuing country in the national language(s) appear(s) at the top, while the indication 1999-2009 and the acronym EMU translated into the national language(s) appear at the bottom.

Common issue

The coin shows the treaty with the signatures of the six founding countries on a background evoking the paving – designed by Michelangelo – of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, where the Treaty was signed on 25 March 1957, giving birth to the modern-day European Union.

A statue of the ‘discobolus’, or discus-thrower, is featured on this coin commemorating the Olympic Games held in Athens in 2004.