Phoenix (currency)
The phoenix ( Greek φοίνιξ) was the first currency of the modern Greek state. It was introduced in 1828 under Ioannis Kapodistrias and was divided into 100 lepta . Named after the mythical phoenix bird , it was supposed to symbolize the rebirth of Greece after gaining independence. The phoenix replaced the Turkish kurus in the ratio of 6 phoenix = 1 kuruş.
A phoenix coin weighed approx. 4.47 g and was minted from 898/1000 fine silver . Due to the lack of precious metals, only a small number of coins were minted, which is why most transactions continued to be carried out in foreign currency. In 1831 , 300,000 phoenixes were issued as paper money not backed by precious metals. Since this was not accepted by the population, there was a currency reform in 1832 , in which the phoenix was replaced by the Greek drachma in a ratio of one to one.
The phoenix motif was also used on some drachma coins (instead of a national emblem).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Illustration on coinsandbanknotes.de; Interestingly, the embossed Greek number αωκα stands for the year 1821