GREECE 2020 PROOF 2 EURO COIN Battle of Thermopylae King Leonidas Sparta

GREECE 2020 PROOF 2 EURO COIN Thermopylae Leonidas SpartaMINTAGE: 5000 IN BOX + COA Type Circulating commemorative coin Year 2020 Value 2 Euro2 EUR = EUR 2.00 Currency Euro (2002-date) Composition Bimetallic: nickel brass center in copper-nickel ring Weight 8.50 g Diameter 25.75 mm Thickness 2.20 mm Shape Round Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑ Number N# 198590 References KM# 333 Obverse Helmet of ancient Hellenic warrior, encircled by meander motif and lettering. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag. Lettering:2500 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΜΑΧΗ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΡΜΟΠΥΛΩΝ2020ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ Translation:2500 YEARS FROM THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE2020HELLENIC REPUBLIC Engraver: Geórgios Stamatópoulos Reverse A map, next to the face value, shows the European continent without borders. Lettering: 2 EURO LL Engraver: Luc Luycx  In the summer of 480 BC, some 7,000 Greek troops under Leonidas, king of Sparta, tried to halt the advance of the invading Persian army, led by Xerxes. Though vastly outnumbered, they decided to take up position at the straits of Thermopylae, which commanded the passage to mainland Greece. When the Persian king invited them to surrender their arms, Leonidas famously countered «Μολών λαβέ» (“come and take them”). Using the narrow pass to their advantage, the Greeks managed to hold their ground for two days, until they were betrayed by Ephialtes, who showed the Persians a mountain track leading them behind the Greek lines. On the third day, Leonidas, realising that the battle was lost, dismissed the troops of the other Greek cities, but chose to stay behind with his elite guard of 300 Spartans, the helots and the remaining Lacedemonians. They were joined by 700 Thespians, who also opted to stay, and they all fell on the battlefield. With their courageous last stand, Leonidas and his comrades inspired the Greeks to continue their fight against the Persians, setting an everlasting example of heroism and self-denial.