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The euro (EUR or €) is the common currency for most European nations within the European
Union, including Greece. The euro coins have
two different sides; one common, European side showing the value of the coin and one national side featuring a design chosen by
the EU member state where the coin was minted. Each member state has one or more designs unique to that country.
For images of the common side and a detailed description of the coins, see Euro
coins.
Greek euro coins feature a unique design for every one of the eight coins. They were all designed by Georgios
Stamatopoulos with the minor coins depicting Greek ships, the middle ones famous Greeks and the two large denominations examples
of Greek history and mythology. All designs feature the 12 stars of the EU and
the year of imprint. Unique to the national side of Greek coins is that the value of the coin is expressed in the Greek alphabet.
Also, the euro cent is called the lepton (λεπτο) in Greek, unlike other languages which borrowed the
word cent.
Depiction of Greek euro coinage | Obverse side
| € 0.01 |
€ 0.02 |
€ 0.05 |
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An Athenian trireme of
the 5th century BC |
A corvette (or dromon)
of the early 19th century |
A modern tanker, symbol
of Greek enterprise |
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€ 0.10
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€ 0.20
|
€ 0.50
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Rigas Velestinlis-Fereos
1757-1798, Greek poet |
Ioannis Kapodistrias 1776-
1831, Greek statesman |
Eleftherios Venizelos 1864-
1936, Greek politician |
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€ 1.00
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€ 2.00
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€ 2.00 Commemorative coin
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Picture of a 5th cen. BC
1 drachma coin of Athens
(a coin in a coin) |
The abduction of Europa
by Zeus in the form of a bull |
A 2 € commemorative coin
for the Olympic Games held
in Athens. |
In the 2 € Coin Edge the words Hellenic Republic in Greek and in Greek script can be found.
External links
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