Greece

The Minister for the National Economy and the Governor of the Bank of Greece chose the designs for their euro coins from a set of proposals presented by a national technical and artistic committee.

The designer of the winning motifs was sculptor Georges Stamatopoulos, sponsored by the Bank of Greece. There is a separate design for each denomination.
 
This coin 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 euro coin: ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ * (Hellenic Republic).
This coin shows an owl, copied from an ancient Athenian 4 drachma coin (fifth century BC).
Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936), one of Greece’s most prominent political figures, is shown on this coin. He was a pioneer in social reform, a renowned diplomat and played a key role in modernising the Greek state and liberating Northern Greece and the Aegean islands.
This coin commemorates Ioannis Capodistrias (1776-1831), a leading national and European politician and diplomat who became the first Governor of Greece (1830-31) following the Greek War of Independence (1821-27).
Rigas-Fereos (Velestinlis) (1757-98) is featured on this coin. He was a forerunner and leading figure of the Greek enlightenment and confederation. He was a visionary of Balkan liberation from Ottoman rule.
This coin shows a modern sea-going tanker, reflecting the innovative spirits of Greek shipping.
This coin epicts a corvette, a type of ship used during the Greek War of Independence (1821-27).
This motif shows an advanced model of an Athenian trireme, the largest warship afloat for more than 200 years, dating from the time of the Athenian democracy (fifth century BC).

 

MINTMARKS

 anthemion
      Coin   Mark   Position 
1 cent F 10
2 cent F 2
5 cent F 2
10 cent F 8
20 cent E 8
50 cent F 8
1 Euro S 6
2 Euro S 6
F  France
E  Spain
S  Finland

 

MINTAGE OF GREEK STANDARD EURO COINS BY YEAR

 Year

 1 cent 2 cents 5 cents 10 cents 20 cents 50 cents 1 Euro 2 Euros
 2002 88.000 172.000 288.000 257.000 370.000 145.000 118.000 162.000
2002 F 15.000 18.000 18.000 24.000 - 18.000 - -
2002 E - - - - 21.000 - - -
2002 S - - - - - - 15.000 6.000

NOTE: mintage quantities in thousand of coins