An old favourite

SYRACUSIAN · November 13, 2007 1:36AM

I can't even remember how many 1910 drachmas I've handled during the past 5 years, some of which have ended in some Darksider's collections. It used to be and still is among my favourite designs of modern Greek coinage. Unfortunately, it is not nearly as easy to locate it in choice BU and its price has multiplied during the past 5 years.

Technically it is a low relief design and difficult to grade, not unlike the 1902 British coins, or the 1901 coins from Crete. Among others, I like them because they tend to tone nicely. This is an untoned example,for newer and older members, the latest that I came across, a rather PQ NGC MS63, photographed by coinpictures.

TwoKopeiki · November 13, 2007 2:20AM

Gorgeous reverse design!

Rickc300 · November 13, 2007 4:41AM

Very nice! Not a coin I have ever owned an example of in any grade that I can think of (or for that matter even remember seeing)... What's the story behind the design? Is that a sea serpent in the background? Or is what appears to be a horse actually a sea serpent?

Many thanks,
Rick

Hussulo · November 13, 2007 5:25AM

I agree that reverse is lovely. Nice coin Dimitri.

coinkat · November 13, 2007 8:55AM

terrific coin and nice image...

Stork · November 13, 2007 9:14AM

I love that coin--definitely in the 'keep forever' box!!

Cathy

SYRACUSIAN · November 13, 2007 9:28AM

<< <i>Very nice! Not a coin I have ever owned an example of in any grade that I can think of (or for that matter even remember seeing)... What's the story behind the design? Is that a sea serpent in the background? Or is what appears to be a horse actually a sea serpent?

Many thanks,
Rick >>

Rick,

that's an excellent question. The 1910 and 1911 drachma and two drachmai, were engraved by Greek sculptor George Iakovidis, breaking up an 80 year old tradition of Greek coins minted by Bavarian or French artists.

Iakovidis broke up with another tradition, the one of the rather boring royal shields on the reverse. He opted for a mythological theme instead, allegorical of Greece's intentions at the time ,who was getting rearmed and ready to embark in a long territorial fight with its neighbours during the Balkan wars,and later WW1,a war that included the reconquering of the northern port of Thessaloniki and for a brief period of time, even Constantinople. The coin represents Thetis (Greece), who is Achille's mother, waiting for her son to deliver him the weapons (to rearm the country).Greece had tripled its size and was reunited with Crete a dozen years after this coin was minted. A prime example of coinage whose theme is not only keeping up with current events, but perhaps was even used to pass a message and to reinforce the people's morale, but without the usual kitsch characteristics of such efforts.

Rickc300 · November 13, 2007 10:35AM

Many thanks! A nice bit of history and some insight on the design and designer! An interesting coin and one I would like to add to my little hoard of coins with horses (kind of silly I know) it's one of the things I started about 8 years ago when my main interest of collecting was getting harder and harder to add new items to. The horses (and bears) have been sitting dormant for a while but are always there in the back of my mind when going thru boxes of darkside stuff. Your Drachma pic set it off with a bang though, and with what you shared with me/US I want a nice circulated one to add to my ponies! Nothing high grade like yours, just an addition to my "for fun" collection. I'll keep my eyes open, I am sure there is one out there asking me to take it home me somewhere...

Thanks!
Rick