Greece: Commemorative €2 coin remembers bicentenary anniversary of the first Greek constitution  

The Bank of Greece has unveiled the design for the country’s second two-euro commemorative coins issued for 2022. This year marks the bicentenary anniversary of the first constitution written and adopted during Greece’s revolution to achieve independence. One year earlier Greeks rose in defiance of Ottoman rule, which had been in place for nearly four centuries, and declared their freedom. Full and internationally recognised independence was not achieved until 1830. However, during this time, a constitution was adopted by the First National Assembly, the precursor to the Greek parliament, on the 1st January 1822.

The text of the document is attributed to Vincenzo Gallina (1795-1842), an Italian and Philhellene originally from Ravenna who had participated in uprisings in his homeland and, as a consequence, was exiled to Greece. Described as a lawyer (or negoziante), he, along with Greek resistant leaders Anastasios Polyzoidis, Theodoros Negris, and Alexandros Mavrokordatos drafted the document of what became regarded as the first constitution. Comprised of four parts and 109 articles, the document referenced religious and civil rights, administrative issues, the duties of the legislature, and the duties of the executive.

Vincenzo Gallina left Greece after independence and moved to Constantinople. He ultimately landed in Egypt where he was a representative of the Greek State. Galina was reported to have died in Aleppo, Syria, while visiting that country with the Egyptian Regent. According to most sources, this was said to have occurred in 1842, but reliable archival documents indicate the date of his death to have been the 25th October 1836.

The coins are produced by the Hellenic Mint — Bank of Greece at their facilities in Athens and designed by senior artisan George Stamatopoulos. The obverse side depicts a traditional Hellenic temple, dedicated to the chief Greek deity, Zeus. Below the primary design is the text ΤΟ ΠΡΩΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΥΝΤΑΓΜΑ (“The first Greek constitution”). The commemorative years 1822 and 2022 are placed on either side of the temple. The reverse side is that of the standard design which includes a map of the European continent and the numeral 2 and EURO superimposed over the map.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Two euro	Bi-metallic	8.5 g	25.7 mm	Uncirculated	745,000
Two euro	Bi-metallic	8.5 g	25.7 mm	Brilliant Unc.	3,000
Two euro	Bi-metallic	8.5 g	25.7 mm	Proof	1,500

Available later in the year, the commemorative two-euro coins will be produced in three qualities: Uncirculated, Brilliant Uncirculated, and Proof. The Bank of Greece will release up to 745,000 pieces into circulation while the Brilliant Uncirculated examples will be presented in a sealed, coin-card format. The Proof versions will be encapsulated and encased in a case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information about these coins and the entire Bank of Greece 2022 numismatic programme, please click here.

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