Greek 2016 Ancient Sites

This 2016 Greek coin features the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, a masterpiece of acoustics where a whisper on stage can be heard in the highest seats.

That detail alone makes it a nod to engineering from 300 BC, long before anyone thought to patent a megaphone. The obverse shows the theatre's curved tiers, while the reverse bears the standard euro design with Greece's emblem. It's part of the country's series on UNESCO World Heritage sites, struck in nickel-brass for circulation.

Mintage figures aren't precisely recorded, as Greek mint practices in the 2010s varied with economic shifts. What we do know is that these coins circulated widely, often turning up in change from tavernas.

Handling one reminds me of the site's summer festivals, though the coin itself has seen more pockets than performances.