Phoenix (currency)

The phoenix (Greek φοίνιξ ) was the first currency of the modern Greek state. It was introduced in 1828 under Ioannis Kapodistrias and was divided into 100 lepta. Named after the mythical phoenix bird, it should symbolize the rebirth of Greece after gaining independence. The Phoenix replaced the Turkish kuru in the ratio 6 Phoenix = 1 Kuru.

A phoenix coin was approximately 4.47 g in weight, and was coined from 898/1000 fine silver. Due to the lack of precious metals only a small number of coins was minted, which is why most transactions were still carried out in foreign currency. 1831 were issued as fiat money by precious metals phoenix 300,000. Since this was not accepted by the population, there was 1832 a currency reform in which the phoenix was replaced by the Greek drachma in the ratio one to one.

The motif was Phoenix (instead of an emblem ) used on some drachma coins.

• Historical Currency Unit ( Europe)
• Coin
• Economy (Greece )