Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 383, Greece, 50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration in Greece
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 383, Greece, 50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration in Greece
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 383, Greece, 50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration in Greece, Coincard 1: Parliament
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 383, Greece, 50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration in Greece, Coincard 2: Konstantinos Karamanlis
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 383, Greece, 50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration in Greece, Coincard 3: Ballot
Description

The Metapolitefsi, meaning "regime change" in Greek, marks a pivotal era in modern Greek history spanning from the collapse of the Ioannides military junta in 1973–74 to the transitional period following the 1974 legislative elections.

This transformative period was catalyzed by the liberalization efforts initiated by military dictator Georgios Papadopoulos, met with opposition from influential figures like Panagiotis Kanellopoulos and Stephanos Stephanopoulos. It was the widespread Athens Polytechnic uprising against the military regime that halted Papadopoulos' plans. Subsequently, the counter-coup led by Dimitrios Ioannides, along with his coup against President of Cyprus Makarios III, ultimately contributed to the downfall of the dictatorship.

The establishment of an interim "national unity government," headed by former prime minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, marked a significant turning point. Under Karamanlis' leadership, the Communist Party (KKE) was legalized, and the center-right, non-military New Democracy party emerged. This new political landscape led to the landslide victory of New Democracy in the 1974 elections.

Obverse

Depicts the central front section of the Greek Parliament on Syntagma Square with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, surrounded by the inscription "50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration" and the country name above, the dates below, he engraver's privy mark (ΣTAM) on the right, the mintmark (palmette) of the Greek Mint on the bottom. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring.

Syntagma Square, which translates to "Constitution Square", stands as the central plaza of Athens, bearing its name in honor of the Constitution that Otto, the first King of Greece, was compelled to grant following a significant popular and military uprising on September 3, 1843. Situated in front of the 19th-century Old Royal Palace, which has served as the home of the Greek Parliament since 1934, Syntagma Square holds paramount importance in modern Athens, both historically and socially.

Situated in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as a poignant war memorial. This cenotaph, crafted by sculptor Fokion Rok between 1930 and 1932, pays tribute to the Greek soldiers who lost their lives in war. Guarded solemnly by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard, it serves as a symbol of honor and remembrance.

Engraver: Georgios Stamatopoulos (ΣTAM)

50 XPONIA AΠO THN AΠOKATAΣTAΣH THΣ ΔHMOKPATIAΣ – ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ
1974 2024
ΣΤΑΜ

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

HELLENIC REPUBLIC in Greek

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ★

2 Euro

50th Anniversary of the Democracy Restoration in Greece

KM# 383
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Bank of Greece

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