Greece joined the eurozone's inaugural 2002 cash changeover, but coins dated 2001 were struck in advance for distribution on January 1, 2002 — the date Greek drachma notes ceased to be legal tender. The drachma had survived in one form or another for over 2,600 years. Its replacement required no public referendum.
Specimen strikes from this first Greek euro issue were produced for collector sets and never entered circulation.
Greece joined the eurozone's inaugural 2002 cash changeover, but coins dated 2001 were struck in advance for distribution on January 1, 2002 — the date Greek drachma notes ceased to be legal tender. The drachma had survived in one form or another for over 2,600 years. Its replacement required no public referendum.
Specimen strikes from this first Greek euro issue were produced for collector sets and never entered circulation.