GREECE 2020 PROOF 2 EURO COIN Battle of Thermopylae King Leonidas Sparta
Bank Of Greece
€65.00
GREECE 2020 PROOF 2 EURO COIN Thermopylae Leonidas Sparta
MINTAGE: 5000 IN BOX + COA
| Type | Circulating commemorative coin |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Value | 2 Euro 2 EUR = EUR 2.00 |
| Currency | Euro (2002-date) |
| Composition | Bimetallic: nickel brass center in copper-nickel ring |
| Weight | 8.50 g |
| Diameter | 25.75 mm |
| Thickness | 2.20 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Number | N# 198590 |
| References | KM# 333 |
Obverse
Helmet of ancient Hellenic warrior, encircled by meander motif and lettering. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Lettering:
2500 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΜΑΧΗ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΡΜΟΠΥΛΩΝ
2020
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ
Translation:
2500 YEARS FROM THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE
2020
HELLENIC REPUBLIC
Engraver: Geórgios Stamatópoulos
Reverse
A map, next to the face value, shows the European continent without borders.
Lettering: 2 EURO LL
Engraver: Luc Luycx
In the summer of 480 BC, some 7,000 Greek troops under Leonidas, king of Sparta, tried to halt the
advance of the invading Persian army, led by Xerxes. Though vastly outnumbered, they decided to
take up position at the straits of Thermopylae, which commanded the passage to mainland Greece.
When the Persian king invited them to surrender their arms, Leonidas famously countered «Μολών
λαβέ» (“come and take them”). Using the narrow pass to their advantage, the Greeks managed to hold
their ground for two days, until they were betrayed by Ephialtes, who showed the Persians a mountain
track leading them behind the Greek lines. On the third day, Leonidas, realising that the battle was
lost, dismissed the troops of the other Greek cities, but chose to stay behind with his elite guard of
300 Spartans, the helots and the remaining Lacedemonians. They were joined by 700 Thespians, who
also opted to stay, and they all fell on the battlefield. With their courageous last stand, Leonidas and his
comrades inspired the Greeks to continue their fight against the Persians, setting an everlasting example
of heroism and self-denial.
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