Greek silver drachma coinage (Kingdom of Greece)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
Issuing entity
Kingdom of GreeceGreek silver drachma coinage of the Kingdom of Greece comprises the silver denominations issued from the establishment of the modern Greek monarchy in the nineteenth century up to the early twentieth century. First introduced in May 1832 to replace the phoenix at par, the early kingdom's silver currency was initially struck in denominations of 1/4 drachma (25 lepta), 1/2 drachma (50 lepta), 1 drachma, and 5 drachmae, with the 1-drachma coin weighing 4.5 grams at 90% silver fineness.
Beginning in 1868, silver denominations included 20 lepta, 50 lepta, 1 drachma, 2 drachmae, and 5 drachmae. The Kingdom of Greece ceased issuing 1- and 2-drachma silver pieces after 1911, and coinage production halted entirely between 1912 and 1922 amidst the collapse of the monetary union.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Following Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire, the drachma replaced the short-lived phoenix in 1832 under King Otto, Greece's first monarch. In April 1867, Greece joined the Latin Monetary Union, adopting its standards formally in 1868 so that the drachma became equivalent to the French franc. Under union regulations, the 5-drachmae piece was struck at 0.900 fineness while fractional silver pieces were minted at 0.835 fineness.
Identification
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Check the denomination: pre-1868 silver includes 1/4, 1/2, 1, and 5 drachmae, whereas post-1868 issues comprise 20 lepta, 50 lepta, 1 drachma, 2 drachmae, and 5 drachmae. Look for royal portraiture, such as the initial issues bearing the likeness of King Otto of Greece. Verify the silver specifications: post-1868 5-drachmae pieces conform to the 0.900 fineness standard, while fractional silver pieces (20 lepta to 2 drachmae) adhere to 0.835 fineness.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Weights, finenesses and mint attributions require transcription from a verified standard catalogue
- Reign-by-reign date ranges need confirmation