April 28, 2009
When Greece finally broke free from Ottoman rule in 1828, an air of expectation and new hope swept the young state. Among the most pressing things, there was a need for a new currency. To celebrate her independence, Governor John Capodistria launched the silver Greek Phoenix, the first currency in modern Greece. The official value of the coin was the lepton and it could be exchanged for a French Franc.
To understand why the phoenix was used on the coin, a little knowledge of the mythical bird is necessary. According to Egyptian mythology, the phoenix was related to the worship of the sun. Dressed in most brilliant feathers of crimson and gold, the phoenix’s cry was so mesmerizing that the sun-god Re would be entranced, stopping his chariot to enjoy the melody. At the end of the phoenix’s life, it would set fire to its nest, and then be consumed by the flames. That’s not the end of the phoenix but rather, the beginning. A new phoenix rises from the ashes of the old. This signifies the rise of a new Greece.
In its lifetime, only 12,000 silver Greek Phoenix coins were ever struck. This was due to a lack of silver in Greece at that time. Yet, the Phoenix is a majestic coin. On the obverse, a wreath of olive is featured prominently. The year of coinage can be found at the bottom. On the reverse, a phoenix is seen rising from a nest of flames. Slightly above the phoenix is the cross which is the national symbol of Greece. On the outer band, there are the words “Hellenic State” and the year “1821″ which marks the Greek Revolution. A six-pointed star is found above the cross. Then, there’s an anchor and the infinity sign on either side of “1821″.
In 1832, the silver Greek Phoenix was replaced by the Greek drachma featuring a portrait of King Otto. Today, the Phoenix is quite a rare coin. Its historical implications and symbolic meanings make it all the more special. In fact, some people use it as a lucky charm of sorts. If you possess the silver Greek Phoenix or some other silver items, you will be wise to contact a good silver buyer who pays top dollar for silver. This way, you can receive instant cash for silver!