Obverse
Obverse legend : (LÉGENDE GRECQUE).
Obverse description : Phénix dans son bûcher sous une croix latine, le tout dans un cercle continu.
Obverse legend : awpa./ ELLHNIKH POLITEIA.
Reverse
Reverse legend : (LÉGENDE GRECQUE).
Reverse description : dans une couronne formée d’une branche d’olivier et d’une palme.
Historical background
GREECE - PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT
(1821-1831)
The war of liberation began on March 25, 1821 on the initiative of Archbishop Germanos of Patras. The Greeks begin to massacre the Turks and the uprising quickly spreads to Athens and the islands. During a national congress in 1822, Greece declared itself independent. In April 1822, the Turks pull themselves together and massacre the population of Chios, which causes the indignation of all Europe. With the help of the Egyptians, Sultan Mahmoud II retook the Morea in 1825 and arrived in Athens in 1827. The war had already caused more than 200,000 deaths. Faced with the French reaction, an expeditionary force liberated the Morea, then a Russian army invaded Turkey, the sultan preferred to treat and recognize the independence of Greece during the Treaty of Adrianople (September 14, 1829). A provisional president, Capo d'Istria, governed since April 1827 but was assassinated in 1831. France, Russia and England then imposed the restoration of the monarchy and Prince Othon, son of King Louis I of Bavaria, was elected in 1832.