1876 1 Drachma

The 1876 Greek 1 Drachma was struck at the Paris Mint, as Greece lacked its own facilities at the time—a reminder that even nations reinventing themselves sometimes need a neighbor's hammer.

That outsourcing meant the coin's silver planchets came from French sources, not local mines, despite the romantic notion of using ancient Greek ore. The obverse features a profile of King George I, clean and classical, while the reverse shows the Greek coat of arms with its phoenix and crown.

Mintage figures are murky; records from that era were often incomplete. What we know is that production wasn't high, given the economic strains of the day.

Collectors might spot variations in strike quality, from sharp details to softer edges, depending on the die state. It's a straightforward piece, no myths required.