Kingdom of Greece and the Cretan State
The Kingdom of Greece existed 1832-1924 and was re-established 1935-1973. The Cretan State existed from 1898 until its formal annexation to the Greece in 1913.
The Otto I drachma were smaller than francs (silver drachma at 4.5 grams of .9 fine, gold 20 drachmai at 5.8 grams of .9 fine), but maintained the same silver to gold ratio of 15.5. Greece formally joined the LMU in 1868 and the weights of the drachma under George I were changed to match that standard. Coinage of the Cretan State also reflect King George I on the obverse. All George I coins were minted in Paris.
After WWI, the drachma coinage was reintroduced at a debased value (10 drachma of 7 grams at .5 fine), a reduction in the silver content of about 90%. However, in the 1940s a non-circulating gold 20 drachmai was minted to the LMU standard.
Circulation Coins
Certain images are clickable for more detail
Kingdom of Greece
20 Drachmai
1876
(Image: Myntauktioner i Sverige Sep 2018)
20 Drachmai
1884
(Image: Heritage Jan 2023)
5 Drachma
1875-1876 (2nd Portrait)
(Image: Stack’s Aug 2020)
2 Drachma
1911 (3rd Portrait)
(Image: Stack’s Feb 2022)
2 Drachma
1868-1883 (1st Portrait)
(Image: Nomos Mar 2024)
1 Drachma
1868-1883 (1st Portrait)
(Image: Nomos Mar 2024)
1 Drachma
1910-1911 (3rd Portrait)
(Image: Stack’s Aug 2021)
50 Lepta (1/2 Drachma)
1868-1883
(Image: Nomos Mar 2024)
Cretan State
5 Drachmai
2 Drachmai
1 Drachmai
1901
(Image: Stack’s Aug 2021)
50 Lepta (1/2 Drachmai)
1901
(Image: Nomos Mar 2024)