© Stephen Album Rare Coins
© Stephen Album Rare Coins
20 Para (Countermarked ΑΓ on Turkey KM-701, AH1277) ND
| Copper | 10.65 g | 32 mm |
| Issuer | Greece |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 20 Para (0.005) |
| Currency | Paras (1880-1918) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 10.65 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Countermarked |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#112760 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Countermarked ΑΓ on Turkey KM-701, AH1277 year 4
Comment
These countermarked coins were applied for use on the Greek Island Lesbos (Agra)Interesting fact
The 20 Para coin from Greece that is a rare example of a coin that has been countermarked, which means that a new mark or symbol has been added to the coin after it was originally minted. In this case, the countermark "ΑΓ" (which stands for "Αγία Γεωργίου" or "St. George" in Greek) was added to the coin's obverse (front side) over the original mint mark of Turkey's KM-701 coin. This countermark was applied by the Ottoman Empire during their occupation of Greece in the 19th century, as a way to indicate that the coin had been certified for use in their territories. This coin's unique combination of a Greek mint mark and an Ottoman countermark makes it a valuable and interesting collector's item for numismatists who specialize in coins from the Balkans and the Middle East.
