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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. |
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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). |
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This coin shows an owl, copied from
an ancient Athenian 4 drachma coin (fifth century BC). |
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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. |
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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). |
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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. |
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This coin shows a modern sea-going
tanker, reflecting the innovative spirits of Greek shipping. |
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This coin epicts a corvette, a type
of ship used during the Greek War of Independence (1821-27). |
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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). |