ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · worldcoingallery.com · CC BY-SA 3.0
Cretan Drachma
Greece
1901–1913
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 1 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$10.85
Based on Silver spot price ($80.83/oz) · 83.5% purity · 5g
Updated 8:09 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Greece |
| Years Minted | 1901–1913 |
| Composition | 0.835 silver |
| Weight | 5 g |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Features the head of Prince George of Crete facing left, with Greek legends and local symbols.
Reverse
Depicts a crowned shield with the lion of Crete, surrounded by the denomination and date.
History & Notable Facts
The Cretan Drachma's most striking feature was its depiction of a lion rampant, a nod to Venetian influences on the island, despite being minted in Athens.
This currency, issued from 1900 until Crete's union with Greece in 1913, used designs like mountains and local crests to emphasize autonomy under international administration. Struck in silver and copper, the coins aligned with the Greek drachma's standard, but their edges bore unique inscriptions in Greek script. Mintage figures are spotty; records from the period were poorly kept, and many were destroyed in later conflicts.
One oddity: the 1 drachma piece sometimes turned up with mismatched dies, probably from rushed production. As for myths about hidden treasures, I've seen enough fakes to know they're just that.
Exact numbers of surviving specimens remain unknown, lost to time and collectors' hoards.
Buy on eBay
More Greece Coins
View all →
AI Analysis & Price Prediction
The Cretan Drachma has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade. Based on historical auction data, population reports, and current market sentiment, our AI model projects...
Get AI-powered analysis for this coin
Unlock with Pro — $9.99/mo