Ionian Islands Obol

The Ionian Islands obol was struck at the Royal Mint in London, a testament to how far British bureaucracy extended into Mediterranean affairs.

These copper coins, issued from 1819 to 1864, bore a lion emblem that evoked the protectorate's authority. On the obverse, the lion often appeared rampant; the reverse featured the denomination in Greek script. They were denominated in obols, an ancient unit repurposed for a modern protectorate, which meant they circulated alongside drachmas in local trade.

While exact mintage figures vanished in archival mishaps—perhaps during the 19th-century upheavals—we know production peaked in the 1830s to meet growing demand. Sizes varied, with the obol being small enough to slip into a pocket unnoticed.

The lion, by the way, looks more like a heraldic beast than the real ones I’ve seen in zoos.