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2 euro commemorative coin of the Hellenic Republic, issued in 2022 with a circulation of 745,500 copies. Dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the first Greek constitution. The author of the design is Georgios Stamatopoulos. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center depicts a statue of Asclepius - the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing - against the background of the Asklepion in Epidaurus (ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius). This is an allusion to the venue of the First National Assembly. Around the composition, in a circle, are the Greek inscriptions: "ΤΟ ΠΡΟΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΥΝΤΑΓΜΑ" (First Greek Constitution) and "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic), as well as the years "1822" and "2022". The mint mark of the Athens Mint (anthemum). The author's monogram "ΣΤΑΜ". On the outer ring are 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 is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU.
Historical context
The first Greek constitution ("Provisional Constitution of Greece", Προσωρινόν Πολίτευμα της Ελλάδος) was proclaimed on 1 January 1822 (new style) during the First National Assembly of the insurgent Greeks, which was held in New Epidaurus (then known as Pyada) from 20 December 1821 to 16 January 1822. This document became the basis of the constitutional order of the future Greek state. The constitution proclaimed: Greece as an independent state, democracy as a form of government, freedom and equality of all citizens, freedom of religion for Orthodox Christians (with an official Orthodox Church), and respect for other religions. The text of the constitution was prepared under the influence of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declarations of the Rights of Man. The constitution was later revised in 1823 (Astros) and 1827 (Tresen). The assembly also elected Alexander Mavrocordatos as president and formed the first government. It was the first democratic constitution in modern Greek history and one of the oldest democratic documents of the 19th century.