Greek mint sets (BU sets)

The introduction of the new european currency had a tremendous influence on coin collecting, as hundrends of thousands of people around the continent decided to become coin collectors, specializing in euros. This had a consequent, major effect on the market, which drove the prices way above their normal prices. Coin dealers were the first to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and many European governments followed suite by issuing a huge number of euro coins of different varieties (forcing collectors to buy all of them), commemoratives and mint sets. If this was not enough, coin shows around Europe started issuing their own sets, containing uncirculated coins and sometimes a medal commemorating the event.

	Maria Callas Issue date: 13/8/2007 - 31/12/2008 Mintage: 15,000 pieces Issue price: 35 euros Photos: Obverse / Reverse - Inside A - Inside B Description: Maria Callas (1923-1977), American-born Greek operatic soprano, the preeminent prima donna (lead female opera singer) of her day, and the first modern soprano to revive forgotten operas of the 19th-century bel canto repertoire. Callas revolutionized opera performances through her vocal and dramatic intensity, transforming what had traditionally been empty display pieces into serious drama. She drew praise for the distinctive color of her voice, her dramatic presence, and her careful musicianship.
	Nikos Kazantzakis Issue date: 13/8/2007 - 31/12/2008 Mintage: 15,000 pieces Issue price: 35 euros Photos: Obverse / Reverse - Inside A - Inside B Description: Nikos Kazantzakis (1885-1957), Greek author and translator, whose best-known work in English is the novel Zorba the Greek. He was born in Candia (now Iraklion), Crete (Kriti), and educated at the University of Athens, where he received his law degree. After graduating he went to France, where he studied philosophy under Henri Bergson. Also well-known in English is his novel 'The Greek Passion', about the reenactment of a passion play in a Greek village.
	Brilliant Uncirculated set 2007 Issue date: 13/8/2007 - 31/12/2008 Mintage: 15,000 pieces Issue price: 20 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: The 2007 BU Set from Greece was issued in middle August 2007 and is dedicated to the "Ancient coins of the Aegean Sea". In just a few weeks the low mintage boosted the value of the set to 3 times its original price, surpassing even the 2004 Official Blister.
	Patras - Cultural Capital of Europe 2006 Issue date: 18/9/2006 - 31/12/2007 Mintage: 25,000 pieces Issue price: 35 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse - Triptych Description: In 2006, Patras set off on a unique travel, following the course of culture and development. Through music, drama, visual arts and dance, the capital of Achaia took advantage of the historical opportunity of being appointed as European Capital of Culture in order to come to the fore and show its virtues. From this new footing, the city will continue its course, proving that faith in inspired visions guarantees success and development over the long term.
	Aegina - Korinth 2006 Issue date: 13/7/2006 - 31/12/2007 Mintage: 25,000 pieces Issue price: 20 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: On the island of Aegina, Pheidon, who was the Head of the Amphyctiony (the confederation of the 7 Doric Greek city-States) minted the first silver coins, whose shapes were either elongated or round. The "turtles" the emplem of the city was impressed on one side and on the reverse was a square depression. The set contains a complete series of the 8 Greek euro coins dated 2005 and a silver coin commemorating the declaration of the mountain as a national park.
	Mount Olympus 2005 Issue date: January 11, 2006 Mintage: 25,000 pieces Issue price: 35 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, its altitude ranging from 600 (near Litohoro, Pieria Perfecture) to 2,917 meters (at its highest peak, Pantheon or Mytikas). Olympus is a place name given to several mountains in Greece, Asia Minor and Cyprus and aAccording to the prevailing view, it means "high mountain". In ancient Greek Mythology, Olympus was the home of the gods, under the rule of Zeus. In 1987 the mountain was declared a National Park, the first in Greece, and in 1981 Unesco declared it an "International Biosphere Reserve". The set contains a complete series of the 8 Greek euro coins dated 2005 and a silver coin commemorating the declaration of the mountain as a national park.
	Brilliant Uncirculated set 2005 Issue date: January 11, 2006 Mintage: 25,000 pieces Issue price: 20 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: For the year 2005 the Greek government issued two new Blisters, a small one which is depicted here and a larger one depicted above. In order not to break a long standing tradition of issues coins and sets with one year of delay, the sets were issued simultaneously on January 16, 2006. The 2005 Blisterincludes a complete series of the 8 Greek euro coins dated 2005.
	Brilliant Uncirculated set 2004 Issue date: May 2005 Mintage: 20,000 pieces Issue price: 20 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: The 2004 BU Set from Greece was issued in late May 2005, a year later than most other countries would issue a 2004 set. It includes what seems to be the most rare euro coin in the whole of europe, the 2 euros 2004. This coin was not issued in mint-rolls, as the country's needs were covered with the 2 euros 2004 Discobole that commemorated the Olympic Games of 2004 held in Athens.
	Olympic Games 2004 Blister Issue date: May 14, 2004 Mintage: 500,000 pieces Issue price: 4 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: The Discus Thrower, a life-size statue by Myron of Eleutherae, was made in about 450 BC, the classical period of Greek art. The sculpture, originally in bronze, survives only as a Roman copy in marble. The coin was formally introduced in a press conference held on May 14, 2004 and Efsimon Collections released a separate Brilliant Uncirculated set.
	Greek Presidency 2003 Photos: Obverse - Reverse - Inside - Leaflet Issue price: 50 euros Description: Issued in June 2003, the set includes a complete series of the 8 Greek euro coins dated 2003 and a silver coin commemorating the Greek European Presidency. The quality of the minting for the silver coin is "proof", the highest in modern numismatic art, while the rest of the set is characterised as brilliant uncirculated.
	Brilliant Uncirculated set 2003 Issue date: June 2003 Issue price: 20 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: The 2003 BU Set from Greece was the second blister set issued by the Bank of Greece, which contains all 8 denominations of the Greek euro coins. The coins are struck in brilliant uncirculated finish and the only difference between this set and the one below, is the date on the coins.
	Brilliant Uncirculated set 2002 Issue date: October 31, 2002 Mintage: 50,000 pieces Issue price: 16 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: The 2002 BU Set from Greece marks the first Euro denominated BU set from the Hellenic Mint. It contains all 8 denominations of the Greek euro coins, which are struck in brilliant uncirculated finish
	Brilliant Uncirculated set 2002 Mintage: 5,000 pieces Issue price: 15.95 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: This set was issued by the Royal Dutch Mint, and the only difference to the Greek KMS 2002 set is that the issuing authority, as displayed on the set, is the Ministry of Finance instead of the Ministry of Finance and Economics on the Greek set. This difference is located in the top left corner of the obverse of the set (blue letters)
	Greek Starter Kit Issue date: December 12, 2001 Mintage: 3,000,000 pieces Issue price: 14.67 euros Photos: Obverse - Reverse Description: In order to familiarize the European public and businesses with the new currency, many european governments decided to issue starter kits before euro was formally introduced. What is the life span of the starter kits? The so-called starter kits were never intended for long-term storage and their plastic foil served only as transportation packing. According to the German Federal Bank, a durability of more than 100 years can be achieved. The coins included in the Hellenic starter kits have been produced in France, Finland and Spain, featuring therefore the mintmarks (F=France, S=Finland/Suomi and E=Spain/Espana). Each kit consists of a total of 45 coins (5x1 cent, 6x2 cent, 6x5 cent, 8x10 cent, 7x20 cent, 6x50 cent, 5x1 euro and 2x2 euro coins).