Greece

2020

Commemorative coin

100 years since the union of Thrace with Greece

Official Journal of the European Union

The design replicates an ancient coin of the Thracian city of Abdera, featuring a griffin. Inscribed along the inner edge are the words ‘100 YEARS SINCE THE UNION OF THRACE WITH GREECE’ and ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’, as well as the year of issuance ‘2020’ and a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek mint). Also visible at left is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The region of Thrace, located in the northeastern corner of the country, was united with Greece after the end of World War I. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

The geographical region of Thrace, which was united with Greece in 1920 according to the Treaty of Sèvres, makes up only 12% of the western part of the historical landscape of Thrace settled by Thracians around the 4th century BC - the European part of Turkey, Eastern Thrace, comprises 31%, Northern Thrace in Bulgaria 57%. The current borders of Turkey and Greece have their origin in the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. The coin shows a stater (tetrobol), circa 4th century BC, from the ancient city of Abdera, home of the philosophers Democritus and Protagoras. Depicted is a griffin, under the inscription "ABΔHPA"(Abdera).

Edge lettering

Designer