Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Euro 2023, KM# 369, Greece, 100th Anniversary of Birth of Maria Callas
  • 2 Euro 2023, KM# 369, Greece, 100th Anniversary of Birth of Maria Callas
Description

Maria Callas (born Sophie Cecilia Kalos; 1923–1977) was an American-born Greek soprano who was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Many critics praised her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic interpretations. Her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini and, further, to the works of Verdi and Puccini; and, in her early career, to the music dramas of Wagner. Her musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as La Divina ("the Divine one"). The press exulted in publicizing Callas's temperamental behavior, her supposed rivalry with Renata Tebaldi and her love affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

Obverse

Depicts the profile of Maria Callas facing right. The inscription "100th Anniversary of Birth of Maria Callas" above, the country name below. The date and the mintmark (palmette) of the Greek Mint on the right. The engraver's privy mark on the left. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring.

Engraver: Georgios Stamatopoulos

100 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ АПО ΤΗ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΑΡΙΑΣ ΚΑΛΛΑΣ
2023
ΣΤΑΜ
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ

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

100th Anniversary of Birth of Maria Callas

KM# 369
Swap now (1 offer)
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

Related coins

1st map

Bi-Metallic, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm
Athens 2004 Summer Olympics

Bi-Metallic, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm
2nd map

Bi-Metallic, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm