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Euro gold and silver commemorative coins are special euro coins minted and issued by member states of the Eurozone, mainly in gold and silver, although other precious metals are also used in rare occasions. Greece was one of the first twelve countries in the Eurozone that introduced the euro (€) on 1 January 2002. Since 2003, the Mint of Greece have been minting both normal issues of Greek euro coins, which are intended for circulation, and commemorative euro coins in gold and silver.
These special coins have a legal tender only in Greece, unlike the normal issues of the Greek euro coins, which have a legal tender in every country of the Eurozone. This means that the commemorative coins made of gold and silver cannot be used as money in other countries. Furthermore, as their bullion value[1] generally vastly exceeds their face value, these coins are not intended to be used as means of payment at all—although it remains possible. For this reason, they are usually named Collectors' coins.
The coins usually commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance. Greece mints four of these coins on average per year, mainly in silver, with a typical face value of €10. However, to celebrate the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece minted almost three times more than normal number of coins in 2003 and 2004, in both gold and silver.
As of 27 October 2008, 36 variations of Greek commemorative coins have been minted: 15 in 2003, 12 in 2004, one in 2005, three in 2006, four in 2007 and one in 2008 so far. These special high-value commemorative coins are not to be confused with €2 commemorative coins, which are coins designated for circulation and do have legal tender status in all countries of the Eurozone.[2]
The following table shows the number of coins minted per year. In the first section, the coins are grouped by the metal used, while in the second section they are grouped by their face value.
The Minoan civilization (2600-1100 BC) developed on the island of Crete. The Palace of Minos at Knossos, was the economic and administrative center; it also had a sacred character. The palace, which is the subject of the first gold coin of the 2004 Summer Olympics, is noteworthy for its many well preserved interior wall paintings depicting social life in the Minoan period including the famous wall painting "Taurokatharpsia" (bull vaulting), an ancient form of bullfighting. A view of the monument can be seen on the obverse of the coin.
The reverse, similarly to all coins of the series, features two concentric rings. The outer ring portrays 12 stars, a design motif characteristic of euro coins. The inner ring portrays the face value of €100, an olive branch around the Athens 2004 logo, the five Olympic circles, and the Anthemion Flower - the symbol of the Greek Mint.[4]
Market value: €40-€45[5][6]
The reverse, similarly to all coins of the series, features two concentric rings. The outer ring portrays 12 stars, a design motif characteristic of euro coins. The inner ring portrays the face value of €10, an olive branch around the Athens 2004 logo, the five Olympic circles, and the Anthemion Flower - the symbol of the Greek Mint.[4]
Market value: €398[7]
Market value: €33-€45[5][6]
In the obverse of the coin, as a main motif, a modern athlete figure appears in the foreground, running towards the starting point of the throw. In the background, an ancient athlete is shown in preparation for the throw.[8]
Market value: €32-€45[5][6]
The obverse of the coin portrays a modern athlete at the moment he is touching the ground, while the ancient athlete in the background is shown while starting off his jump, as he is seen on a black-figure vase of the 5th century BC.[8]
Market value: €33.50-€45[5][6]
Market value: €39-€45[5][6]
Thickness: 1.92 mm (0.08 in)
The Treaty of Accession 2003 was the agreement between the European Union and ten countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia), concerning their accession into the EU. It entered into force on 1 May 2004, the day of the enlargement of the European Union and, at the same time, it changed a number of points which were laid down in the original Treaty of Nice.[12]
On the obverse of the coin, the logo of the Greek presidency, together with the words ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΙΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ on the top and "HELLENIC PRESIDENCY OF EU" on the bottom, is depicted. On the reverse, the National Emblem of Greece, sourrounded by the words ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ (Greek Democracy) and the face value of €10 is shown.
The official celebration of the Bank of Greece's 75th Anniversary was held on Monday, 3 November in the Athens Concert Hall, in the presence of Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, President of Greece.[15] These coins were minted celebrating the occasion; they are very rare coins as they were distributed only among bank employees and officials.[16]
On the obverse of the coin, the log of the bank in a shape of a waving flag is depicted. Around the flag, the words TΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ (Bank of Greece) and the years of foundation of the bank (1928–2003) are shown. On the reverse, the face value of the coin is printed; around it the words ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ (Greek Democracy) can be seen.
The reverse, similarly to the set of coins of 2003, features two concentric rings. The outer ring portrays 12 stars, a design motif characteristic of euro coins. The inner ring portrays the face value of €100, an olive branch around the Athens 2004 logo, the five Olympic circles, and the Anthemion Flower - the symbol of the Greek Mint.[18]
The reverse, similarly to the set of coins of 2003, features two concentric rings. The outer ring portrays 12 stars, a design motif characteristic of euro coins. The inner ring portrays the face value of €10, an olive branch around the Athens 2004 logo, the five Olympic circles, and the Anthemion Flower - the symbol of the Greek Mint.[18]
Market value: €35-€45[5][6]
The Academy is the motif of the sixth gold Olympic coin of the series. The intention was to highlight the premise that in the city of Athena, the Olympic Games should not only be the most important athletic event, but also reflect equal importance toward intellectual and cultural activities. All three should be equivalent to the style and character of the city that was the birthplace and the matrix for the revival of the modern Olympic Games of 1896.[19]
Market value: €45[6]
The design of this coin represents a modern football player ready to hit the ball, his ancient counterpart demonstrates his technique by bouncing a ball on his thigh, his hands tied behind his back. The representation was taken from a 4th-century BC. marble relief.[19]
Market value: €34-€45[5][6]
Market value: €999[21]
In the obverse, The National emblem of Greece between flowers is depicted. On the top edge 'Hellenic Republic' is written in the Greek alphabet. The face value of the coin is displayed along the lower edge.
On the reverse, the War of the Titans on Mount Olympus is portrayed along with flowering branches on the lower part of the coin. Above the scene is written, in Greek, 'National Park Olympus', while on the bottom of the coin, close to the edge, is the issuing year of 2005.[16]
In Greek mythology, Zeus was the son of Cronus and Rhea and the highest-ranking god among the Olympian gods. He was god of the sky and thunder and his attributes included thunder, the lightning bolt, the septer, and the eagle. Zeus (in Greek Dias) was the ruler of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and the home of the gods. In 1981 UNESCO declared Mount Olympus an "International Biosphere Reserve" and in 1987 it was declared a National Park of Greece. This is the main motif of the reverse of this coin.[26]
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, its altitude ranging from 600 (near Litochoro, Pieria Prefecture) to 2,917 meters (at its highest peak, Pantheon or Mytikas). In 1981 UNESCO declared Mount Olympus an "International Biosphere Reserve" and in 1987 it was declared a National Park of Greece. Dion, the village located at the foot of Mount Olympus, is best known for its museum and archaeological site. The Ancient municipality of Dion was a place of some prominence and owes its name to the important sanctuary dedicated to Zeus (Greek:"Dias"). This is the main motif of the reverse of this coin.[28]
On the obverse the logo for Patras 2006 around the words "European Capital of Culture" can be seen. In the reverse, a view of Patras walls with the Emblem of Greece, together with the face value of €10 can be observed.
On the reverse the National Emblem of Greece with her signature is depicted.
On the reverse of the coin the National Emblem of Greece with his signature is depicted.
On the obverse of the coin a closed zoom in to a typical view of the flowers and birds of the park is depicted. On the reverse, the National emblem of Greece inside an artistic representation of a tree.
On the obverse of the coin is a panoramic view of the common black pine trees that are prevalent in the park. On the reverse, is the National emblem of Greece depicted inside an artistic representation of a tree.
Market value: N/A[40]
This coin was issued to commemorate the re-opening of the museum. On the obverse a panoramic view of the Acropolis can be seen; the museum resides in the base of it. On the reverse, one of the pedimental sculptures from the Parthenon can be observed together with the National emblem of Greece and the face value of €10.
Greece, Greek language, Athens Exchange, Economy of Greece, European Union