Greece

2021

Commemorative coin

200 years since the Greek Revolution

Official Journal of the European Union

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.

Additional information

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. 25 March 1821 marks the beginning of the Greek revolution; today 25 March is a bank holiday in Greece.

Edge lettering

Designer