2002 Greece 1 Euro

The 2002 Greek 1 Euro coin was the first to feature the Athenian owl, a design lifted straight from a 5th-century BC tetradrachm, making it a direct nod to ancient currency in modern pockets.

That owl, with its wide eyes and olive sprig, was the work of designer Georgios Stamatopoulos, who drew from classical sources to create a coin that circulated widely after Greece adopted the euro in 2001. The reverse side shows the standard euro map, but it's the owl that grabs attention, even if it's just a faint echo of the originals I've handled over the years.

Mintage figures? They're out there in the records, but exact numbers for this issue aren't something I'd swear by without double-checking. What I can say is that these coins were produced in bulk to replace the drachma, and they've held up surprisingly well against wear.

It's a solid piece, no more, no less.