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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Hellenic Republic, issued in 2013 in a circulation of 750,000 copies. Dedicated to the 2400th anniversary of the founding of the Platonic Academy. The author of the design is Georgios Stamatopoulos (monogram "ΣΤΑΜ"), sculptor of the Bank of Greece Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at the Hellenic Mint in Chalandri.
Obverse
In the center of the inner part of the coin is a profile portrait of Plato, the Greek philosopher, founder of the Platonic Academy. On the left, in ancient Greek script, are written: "2.400 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΙΝΙδΡΥΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΚΑδΗΜΙΑΣ ΠΛΑΤΟΝΟΣ" (2400 years since the founding of Plato's Academy) and the name of the issuing country "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic). On the right, the year "2013" and the monogram of the Hellenic Mint (palmetto). Below, the author's monogram "ΣΤΑΜ". On the outer ring, the 12 stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix. It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders. On the left, a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right, a map. On the outer ring, the 12 stars of the EU. The rim is finely fluted and bears the inscription "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ".
Historical context
Plato's Academy (Ακαδήμεια) was the first institution of higher education in the history of the Western world, founded by the philosopher Plato (428/427-348/347 BC) around 387 BC in Athens. It was located in a grove dedicated to the Greek hero Academus, on the northwestern outskirts of Athens. Plato, a student of Socrates, taught philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and political theory through dialectics. The most prominent student was Aristotle, who studied at the Academy for 20 years (367-347 BC) before founding his own school, the Lyceum. According to legend, above the entrance to the Academy was written: "Let no one enter here who does not know geometry." The Academy existed until 86 BC, resumed its activities in 410 as a center of Neoplatonism, and was finally closed by Emperor Justinian in 529. It is considered the prototype of modern universities.