Greece 5 drachmai 1876 - George I

Greece · 1876 · 5 drachmes

Circulating coinUncommon

€47.55estimate

1,895,000coins minted

€33.66silver value · 22.5 g fine at today’s price

N10492 KM46

RZReference number RZRZ-CBHD6

Circulating coin

Series of 5 drachmas of George I (1875-1876)

The coin's story

This 5 drachmas coin in 900 thousandths silver, struck in 1875 and 1876, bears the portrait of George I, King of the Hellenes. Born a prince of Denmark, the younger son of the future King Christian IX, he was elected at the age of 17 by the Greek National Assembly and reigned from 30 March 1863 until his assassination in Thessaloniki on 18 March 1913. The coin was struck to the standards of the Latin Monetary Union, the drachma then being worth one franc. It was engraved by Désiré-Albert Barre, engraver general of the French coinage, and struck at the Paris Mint, whose letter A it bears. The reverse combines the arms of Greece with the King's motto, ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ (The love of the people is my strength). The 1876 date was struck in 1,895,000 pieces.

ObverseThe Portrait of the King

ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ Α! ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝΒΑΡΡΕ1876 A

Design: Bare, moustached head of King George I facing left.
Legend: ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ Α' ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ (George I, King of the Hellenes).
Signature: ΒΑΡΡΕ (Barre).
Date: 1876 A (A, mark of the Paris Mint).

DBEngraved by Désiré-Albert Barre

ReverseThe Arms of Greece

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ5 ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ

Design: The arms of Greece under a crowned ermine mantle, with the motto and a decoration below.
Legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ (Kingdom of Greece).
Motto: ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ (The love of the people is my strength).
Denomination: 5 ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ (5 drachmas).

DBEngraved by Désiré-Albert Barre