Greek 500 drachma coins

The name drachma is derived from the verb dratto ("to grasp"), as initially a drachma was a fistful (a "grasp") of six oboloi (metal sticks), which were used as a form of currency as early as 1100 BC. The 5th century BC Athenian tetradrachmon ("four drachmae") coin was the most widely used coin in the Greek world prior to the time of Alexander the Great.

After Alexander the Great's conquests, the name drachma was used in many of the Hellenistic kingdoms in the Middle East, including the Ptolemaic kingdom in Alexandria. The Arabic unit of currency known as dirham known from pre-Islamic times and afterwards, inherited its name from the drachma; the dirham is still the name of the official currencies of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. The Armenian dram also derives its name from the drachma.

The following 500 drachma coins have circulated in Greece until the introduction of the Common European Currency on January 1, 2002:

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Obverse of Greek 500 drachmas coin /images/currency/KM200/KM139_1982b.jpg
500 drachmas - Racing - Series B

XIII Paneuropean Games - Athens 1982
The spirit of the Olympic Games is capsured in this unique collection of Greek legal tender coins. The coins trace the history of the games, from their birth in ancient Greece to their revival in the 1896 Olympic Games and finally to the return of the athletes to Athens in 1892.
Early records of races ...

Krause - Mishler #139
Diameter 36 mm
Weight 28.88 gr
Composition 0.9000 Silver .8357 oz. ASW
Edge Reeded
Other information Engraver: Th. Papagiannis
Year Mintage Price Shop
1982 - Proof 150,000 pieces - View
1982 - Uncirculated 150,000 pieces - View
Obverse of Greek 500 drachmas coin /images/currency/KM200/KM127_1981b.jpg
500 drachmas - Relay race - Series A

XIII Paneuropean Games - Athens 1982
The spirit of the Olympic Games is capsured in this unique collection of Greek legal tender coins. The coins trace the history of the games, from their birth in ancient Greece to their revival in the 1896 Olympic Games and finally to the return of the athletes to Athens in 1892.
Early records of races ...

Krause - Mishler #127
Diameter 36 mm
Weight 28.88 gr
Composition 0.9000 Silver .8357 oz. ASW
Edge Reeded
Other information Engraver: Th. Papagiannis
Year Mintage Price Shop
1981 - Uncirculated 300,000 pieces - View
1981 - Proof 300,000 pieces - View
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