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CC 349 2019
Coin set
Proof
Coin set proof
Greece · 100th birthday of Manolis Andronicos
Mintage1,500
Issue price€90.00
Issue date11 Jul 2019
PackagingCoin set
Edge letteringΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ + ★
Price of the set (2 coins)€149.90
Issue occasion
The commemorative coin honors the 100th birthday of the renowned Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronicos (1919–1992), who discovered the Royal Tombs of Vergina in 1977, with evidence of the ancient Macedonian civilization. The design features his portrait, accompanied by his name and dates of life, the inscription “HELLENIC REPUBLIC”, a palmette as the mintmark, and the monogram of the artist George Stamatopoulos.
The design
Manolis Andronicos (1919-1992) was one of Greece’s most distinguished archaeologists. Treasures found in the royal tombs at Vergina, which he discovered in 1977, testify to the splendour of the ancient Macedonian civilisation.
The coin design features a portrait of Manolis Andronicos. Along the inner rim of the coin are the name “MANOLIS ANDRONICOS 1919-1992”, the year of issue and a palmette on the left (the mint mark of the Greek Mint), while “HELLENIC REPUBLIC” is inscribed on the right. The artist’s monogram (George Stamatopoulos) is also located on the right.
The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
The coin design features a portrait of Manolis Andronicos. Along the inner rim of the coin are the name “MANOLIS ANDRONICOS 1919-1992”, the year of issue and a palmette on the left (the mint mark of the Greek Mint), while “HELLENIC REPUBLIC” is inscribed on the right. The artist’s monogram (George Stamatopoulos) is also located on the right.
The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
Background on the topic
Manolis Andronicos came from a Greek family in Asia Minor and grew up in Thessaloniki after the Greek-Turkish population exchange. He studied at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Aristoteles-Universität Thessaloniki) and later became Professor of Classical Archaeology there. His academic teachers included Konstantinos Romaios, who had already led excavations in Vergina. Andronicos continued this research and combined archaeological fieldwork with the study of ancient art and culture.
Vergina is identified with Aigai, the early capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia. The Argead dynasty, to which Philip II and Alexander the Great belonged, resided there. Even after Pella had become the political centre, Aigai remained a site of royal burials and dynastic ceremonies. The archaeological site comprises palace complexes, burial grounds and a large burial mound.
Particular attention was drawn to an unplundered chamber tomb beneath this mound. Among other things, it contained golden burial containers, wreaths, weapons, pieces of armour and richly decorated vessels. Andronicos identified the so-called Tomb II with Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. This attribution is frequently supported, but is not undisputed in scholarship; a connection with Philip III Arrhidaios has also been proposed. Regardless of the question of identity, the surviving grave goods provided new insights into the burial rituals, court art and representation of power of the Macedonian royal house in the 4th century BC.
The finds helped to bring Aigai more strongly into public awareness as an archaeological and historical reference point of ancient Macedonia. The site was later added to the UNESCO World Heritage List; a museum protects and presents parts of the tomb complexes and their furnishings.
The choice of the anniversary for a Greek commemorative coin can thus be explained by Andronicos’ close connection with this important archaeological complex. His life also represents the institutional development of archaeology in Greece and the study of the ancient Macedonian heritage.
Vergina is identified with Aigai, the early capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia. The Argead dynasty, to which Philip II and Alexander the Great belonged, resided there. Even after Pella had become the political centre, Aigai remained a site of royal burials and dynastic ceremonies. The archaeological site comprises palace complexes, burial grounds and a large burial mound.
Particular attention was drawn to an unplundered chamber tomb beneath this mound. Among other things, it contained golden burial containers, wreaths, weapons, pieces of armour and richly decorated vessels. Andronicos identified the so-called Tomb II with Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. This attribution is frequently supported, but is not undisputed in scholarship; a connection with Philip III Arrhidaios has also been proposed. Regardless of the question of identity, the surviving grave goods provided new insights into the burial rituals, court art and representation of power of the Macedonian royal house in the 4th century BC.
The finds helped to bring Aigai more strongly into public awareness as an archaeological and historical reference point of ancient Macedonia. The site was later added to the UNESCO World Heritage List; a museum protects and presents parts of the tomb complexes and their furnishings.
The choice of the anniversary for a Greek commemorative coin can thus be explained by Andronicos’ close connection with this important archaeological complex. His life also represents the institutional development of archaeology in Greece and the study of the ancient Macedonian heritage.