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Greek Commemorative Blisters
The poorest member of the EU, Greece saw EMU as an essential step towards achieving its strategic and economic ambitions. In spite of the euro's weakness when Greece entered the euro-zone on January 1 2001, opinion polls showed that some 70 per cent of Greeks were in favour of membership. There was little attachment to the drachma, as europe's second-oldest currency was linked in Greek minds with economic and political backwardness. Greece leveraged the euro to encourage foreign direct investment with a view to the country becoming a business and transport hub, linking south-east Europe with EU markets.
The following Official Blisters were issued in Greece since the introduction of the Common European Currency on January 1, 2002:
 | 10th Anniversary of EMU 2009 A first attempt to create an economic and monetary union between the members of the European Communities goes back to an initiative by the European Commission in 1969. The commemorative coin features a deliberately primitive stick figure blending into the euro symbol. The design seeks to convey the idea of the single currency as the last step on Europe's long path from barter trade to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) The 10th Anniversarry of EMU blister was issued on 7 December 2009 with a mintage of 7,500 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and 1 euro coins (unc), along with a 2 euros coin commemorating the occasion.
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 | International Year of Astronomy 2009 The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is a year-long celebration of astronomy, taking place in 2009 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei and the publication of Johannes Kepler's Astronomia nova in the 17th century. The International Year of Astronomy Blister 2009 was issued on 26 October 2009 with a mintage of 5,000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a silver 10 euros 2009 coin commemorating the occasion
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 | Yannis Ritsos Year 2009 Yiannis Ritso (May 1, 1909 - Athens November 11, 1990) was a Greek poet and left-wing activist and an active member of the Greek resistance during World War II. His landmark poem Epitaphios, published in 1936, broke with the shape of Greek traditional popular poetry and expressed in clear and simple language a message of the unity of all people. TheYannis Ritsos Year Blister 2009 was issued on 26 October 2009 with a mintage of 5,000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a silver 10 euros 2009 coin commemorating the poet
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 | New Acropolis Museum 2008 The Acropolis Museum was located in Athens, Greece on the archeological site of Acropolis until June 2007. It was considered one of the major archaeological museums in Athens and ranked among the most important museums of the world. Due to its limited size, the Greek Government decided in the late 1980s to build the New Acropolis Museum at the base of the Acropolis. The New Acropolis Museum Blister 2008 was issued on 15 December 2008 with a mintage of 10,000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a silver 10 euros 2008 coin commemorating the occasion, featuring a panoramic view of the Acropolis and one of the so many pedimental sculptures from the Parthenon.
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 | Maria Callas 2007 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. The Official Maria Callas Blister 2007 was issued on 13 August 2007 with a mintage of 15,000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a commemorative 10 euros coin featuring the famous operatic soprano
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 | Nikos Kazantzakis 2007 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. The Official Nikos Kazantzakis Blister 2007 was issued on 3 August 2007 with a mitntage of 15000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a commemorative 10 euros coin featuring the famous author
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 | Aegina / Korinth 2006 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 Official Blister 2006 was issued on 13 July 2006 with a mintage of 25,000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc)
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 | Patras Cultural Capital of Europe 2006 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 The Patra Blister 2006 was issued on 18 Spetember 2006 with a mintage of 25,000 pieces. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a silver 10 euros 2006 Patras Cultural Capital of Europe
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 | Mount Olympus 2005 Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, its altitude ranging from 600 to 2,917 meters at its highest peak. 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 Mount Olympu Blister 2006 was issued on January 11, 2006. It contains the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a silver 10 euros 2006 silver coin commemorating the declaration of the mountain as a national park.
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 | Olympics Blister 2004 The Olympic Games Mini Blister 2004 containing the 2 euros 2004 coin (Myron's Discobole). It was issued on 14 May 2004 with a mintage of 500,000 pieces
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 | Greek EU Presidency 2003 Greece held the Presidency of the European Council of ministers from 1 January to 30 June 2003. The Greek Presidency wished to give "a new momentum" to research and innovation in Europe, working towards the improved use of research facilities at European level, the opening of national research and technology programs and the establishment of a framework for European Research and Development Agencies. The blister was issued in June 2003, containing the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1, 2 euros (unc), along with a silver 10 euros 2003 Greek European Union Presidency
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 | Starter Kit 2002 Euro starter kits are packs of euro coins of all the eight denominations sealed in a plastic bag. The scope of these kits is primarily to familiarise the citizens of the European Union with the new currency, the euro. There are two types of starter packs; business starter kits and kits for the general public. The difference is in the amount of the coins per pack, as the business kits (intended for retailers) contain around 100 euros or more of coins. The Greek Starter Kit includes 45 coins (5x1 cent, 6x2 cents, 6x5 cents, 8x10 cents, 7x20 cents, 6x50 cents, 5x1 euro and 2x2 euros), with an issue price of 14.67 euros (GRD 5,000) and a mintage of 3,000,000 pieces
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