Greece Paul 20 Drachmai

History

20 Drachmai 1960-1965, KM# 85, Greece, Paul

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

King Paul of the Hellenes (1901–1964) reigned as King of Greece from 1947 until his death in 1964. During most of World War II, from 1941 to 1946, when Greece was under German occupation, Paul was with the Greek government-in-exile in London and Cairo. From Cairo, he broadcast messages to the Greek people. Paul returned to Greece in 1946. He succeeded to the throne in 1947, on the death of his childless elder brother, King George II, during the Greek Civil War (between Greek Communists and the non-communist Greek government).

Engraver: V. Falireas

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Paul Portrait of mature King Paul left, surrounded by the inscription "Paul King of the Greeks", date below. ΠΑΥΛΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ Β. ΦΑΛΗΡΕΑΣ • 1960 •
Reverse	Deity (god, goddess etc.) Selene Selene riding horseback over a dolphin. In Greek mythology, Selene (Ancient Greek: Σελήνη "Moon") is the goddess of the moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun-god Helios, and Eos, goddess of the dawn. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens. Several lovers are attributed to her in various myths, including Zeus, Pan, and the mortal Endymion. In classical times, Selene was often identified with Artemis, much as her brother, Helios, was identified with Apollo. Selene and Artemis were also associated with Hecate, and all three were regarded as lunar goddesses, but only Selene was regarded as the personification of the moon itself. Her Roman equivalent is Luna. She is usually portrayed either driving a chariot or riding sidesaddle on horseback. 20 ΔΡΧ
Edge	Inscribed (lettered) Kingdom of Greek ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ