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CC 86 2010
Coin set
BU
BU Mint Set
Greece · 2.500 years since the Battle of Marathon
Mintage7,500
Issue price€20.00
Issue date25 Oct 2010
PackagingCoin set
Edge letteringΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ + ★
Market price€25.00
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 2,500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. The design combines a shield with a runner or warrior as a symbol of the struggle for freedom and the ideals for which the battle stands. A bird on the shield symbolizes the emergence of Western civilization; Greek inscriptions indicate the occasion and the years 490 BC and 2010 AD.
The design
The inner part of the coin depicts a synthesis of a shield and a runner or warrior as a symbol of the struggle for freedom and the high ideals represented by the Battle of Marathon. The bird depicted on the shield symbolises the emergence of Western civilisation as we know it today.
Arranged in a circle around the inner part of the coin are the occasion “ΜΑΡΑΘΩΝΑΣ/2500 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ/490 Π.Χ./2010 Μ.Χ.” and the issuing country “ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ”, in Greek.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
Arranged in a circle around the inner part of the coin are the occasion “ΜΑΡΑΘΩΝΑΣ/2500 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ/490 Π.Χ./2010 Μ.Χ.” and the issuing country “ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ”, in Greek.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
Background on the topic
The Battle of Marathon was part of the first Persian invasion of mainland Greece. The Persian Empire under Darius I (Dareios I) sought to secure its influence in the Aegean and to punish Athens (Athen) and Eretria for their support of the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. After the capture of Eretria, the Persian army landed at Marathon on the eastern coast of Attica, where the terrain offered a suitable route to Athens (Athen).
The Persians were opposed primarily by Athenian hoplites and a smaller contingent from Plataea (Plataiai). The Greeks fought as heavily armed infantry in a close formation. The Athenian strategy is particularly associated with the general Miltiades. The Greeks succeeded in defeating the Persian army and forcing it to retreat to its ships. The Athenians then quickly marched back to repel a possible attack by the Persian fleet on their undefended city.
The victory did not end the Persian Wars. Ten years later, Xerxes I, the son of Darius, undertook another campaign against Greece. Nevertheless, Marathon initially prevented the Persian subjugation of Athens (Athen). The battle also took place during an early phase of Athenian democracy, which had been reorganised only a few years earlier through political reforms. It consequently became closely associated with the idea that citizens defended their polis themselves.
Marathon is also connected with the tradition of a messenger’s run. The ancient historian Herodotus reports that a runner was sent from Athens (Athen) to Sparta before the battle to request support. The well-known story of a messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens (Athen) after the victory and died there after announcing the news of the victory arose in later versions. It provided the inspiration for the marathon race at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens (Athen).
The anniversary was therefore suitable for a Greek commemorative coin because Marathon is associated both with the ancient history of Athens (Athen), the modern Olympic marathon race and Greece’s culture of national remembrance.
The Persians were opposed primarily by Athenian hoplites and a smaller contingent from Plataea (Plataiai). The Greeks fought as heavily armed infantry in a close formation. The Athenian strategy is particularly associated with the general Miltiades. The Greeks succeeded in defeating the Persian army and forcing it to retreat to its ships. The Athenians then quickly marched back to repel a possible attack by the Persian fleet on their undefended city.
The victory did not end the Persian Wars. Ten years later, Xerxes I, the son of Darius, undertook another campaign against Greece. Nevertheless, Marathon initially prevented the Persian subjugation of Athens (Athen). The battle also took place during an early phase of Athenian democracy, which had been reorganised only a few years earlier through political reforms. It consequently became closely associated with the idea that citizens defended their polis themselves.
Marathon is also connected with the tradition of a messenger’s run. The ancient historian Herodotus reports that a runner was sent from Athens (Athen) to Sparta before the battle to request support. The well-known story of a messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens (Athen) after the victory and died there after announcing the news of the victory arose in later versions. It provided the inspiration for the marathon race at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens (Athen).
The anniversary was therefore suitable for a Greek commemorative coin because Marathon is associated both with the ancient history of Athens (Athen), the modern Olympic marathon race and Greece’s culture of national remembrance.
Interesting Facts
2010 annual set, contains all seven denominations from 1 cent to 1 euro as well as this 2-euro commemorative coin (face value: 3,88 €)