The Most Expensive: Coins and Medals of Modern Greece
When people talk about Greek coins, they usually mean pieces from ancient times – but modern Greece has exciting coins to offer as well! We present the 10 most expensive Greek coins and medals ever sold at auction that were minted after the beginning of the War of Greek Independence in 1821.
01_image014281st Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias (in office 1828- 1831): 10 Lepta 1828, Aegina mint. NGC MS 63. From auction CNG Triton XVI (2013), lot 1428.
02_image02782King Otto (1832-1862): 5 Drachmai, 1845, Athens mint. Extremely rare, PCGS XF45. From auction Baldwins 80 (2013), lot 2782.
03_image03396King Otto (1832-1862): 5 Drachmai, 1844, Athens mint. Mint state. From auction Dix Noonan Web 138 (2016), lot 3396.
04_6690768-OKing George II. (1922-1924 and 1935-1947): 100 Drachmai ND (1940), Heaton mint Proof. 140 pieces produced. NGC-PF65. From Auction World Co sale 23 (2021), lot 3619.
05_image03141King Otto (1832-1862): Gift medal of 8 ducats, ND. Dies by Konrad Lange. Extremely rare, “only a single occurrence apart from this specimen.” FDC. From auction Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger 307 (2015), lot 3141.
06_image02754King George I (1863-1913): Zappas Olympics Golden Class A Victor’s Award Medal 1875, Paris mint, by Barre. “Extremely rare, one of ten produced and awarded.” Very fine. From auction CNG Triton XIX (2016), lot 2754.
07_image025011st Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias (in office 1828- 1831): Lepton, 1830. Aegina. Rare. Very Fine+. From auction Künker 217 (2012), lot 2501.
08_image30269King George I (1863-1913): Zappas Olympics Golden Class A Victor’s Award Medal 1870, Paris mint, by Barre. NGC SP63. From auction Heritage CSNS Signature Sale 3099 (2022), lot 30269.
09_image00462King George I (1863-1913): 50 Drachmai, 1876A, Paris Mint. Mintage:182. NGC MS65+. From auction NAC 128 (2021), lot 462.
10_image01391King George I (1863-1913): 100 Drachmai, 1876A, Paris Mint, “as close to FDC as one would ever wish to own”. “With a mintage of only 76 pieces, this is far and away the very rarest of all regular issue coins of modern Greece.” From auction Baldwins 87 (2014), lot 1391.
