PAN EUROPEAN GAMES XIII, 250 DRACHMES, 1982

HISTORY: Greece issued three silver and three gold coin sets for the 1982 Pan European Games held in Athens that year. The sets contained 100, 250, and 500 silver drachmes, and 2500 and 5000 gold drachmes. The first and second sets celebrated the XIII Pan European Games, featuring various events on the reverse of each coin. This coin is from the first set, issued in 1981, featuring the Olympic Track and Field Javelin Throw.

OBVERSE: “EΛΛHNIKH ΔHMOKPATIA” (Democratic Republic of Greece), around the rim, frames the Greece coat of arms, in use since 1975. Below the laurel branches are the words “ΔPAXMAI” “250” (250 drachmes) and 1981, the year of mintage.

REVERSE: “ΧΙΙΙ ΠΑΝΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΟΙ ΑΓΩΝΕΣ ΣΤΙΒΟΥ ΑΘΗΝΑ 1982” (XIII PAN–EUROPEAN GAMES ATHENS 1982) surrounds a javelin thrower. Beneath is the phrase “Θ.п. KΑΛOΣKAΓAΘOΣ” (KALOS KAGATOS), which is full of meaning: “Kalos” for beautiful or ideal, and “Kagatos” for good or virtuous. It might roughly be translated as “harmony in mind and body.” To the left is the logo of the 13th European Athletics Championships (held every four years since 1934), an abstract design of Athens Olympic Stadium with a dove of peace above.