Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Lepta 1966-1970, KM# 88, Greece, Constantine II
  • 50 Lepta 1966-1970, KM# 88, Greece, Constantine II
Description

Engraver: V. Phalireas

Obverse

The portrait of young Constantine II left, date below, inscription "Constantine King Of Greeks" around.

Constantine II (born 2 June 1940) reigned as the last King of Greece, from 1964 until the abolition of the monarchy of Greece in 1973. He acceded as king following the death of his father King Paul in March 1964. Although the accession of the young monarch was initially regarded auspiciously, his reign soon became controversial: Constantine's involvement in the Apostasia of July 1965 created unrest among sections of the population and aggravated the ongoing political instability that culminated in the Colonels' Coup of 21 April 1967.

The coup was successful, leaving Constantine, as the head of state, little room to maneuver since he had no loyal military forces on which to rely. As a result, he reluctantly agreed to inaugurate the Greek military junta on the condition that it be made up largely of civilian ministers. On 13 December 1967, Constantine was forced to flee the country, following an unsuccessful countercoup against the junta. He remained (formally) the head of state in exile until 1 June 1973, when the junta abolished the monarchy, permanently. This abolition was confirmed after the fall of the junta by the Greek republic referendum, 1974 on 8 December 1974, which established the Third Hellenic Republic. Constantine, who was not allowed to return to Greece to campaign, accepted the results of the plebiscite.

ΚωΝCΤaΝΤΙΝΟC ΒaCΙλΕΥC ΤωΝ ΕλλΗΝωΝ
Β. ΦaλΗΡΕaC
·1970·

Reverse

Depicts coat of arms of the Kingdom of Greece. The arms surrounded by the name of country Kingdom of Greece and denomination.

Crowned arms (shield with a cross) with the defenders of the crown. Two male figures are alluding to the legendary Heracles.

• ΒaCΙλΕΙΟΝ ΤΗC ΕλλaΔΟC •
50
λEπTa

Edge
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 2.3 g
Diameter 18 mm
Thickness 1.19 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mints
Bombay Mint (no mintmark)
Kremnica Mint (MK)

Related coins

2nd Republic

Cupronickel, 3 g, ⌀ 19 mm

Cupronickel, 2.26 g, ⌀ 18 mm
Regime of the Colonels

21 April 1967

Cupronickel, 2.35 g, ⌀ 18 mm