A Grecian Wonder

Each year since 2012, Greece’s National Mint has added an issue to its Cultural Heritage series, which highlights historic sites and structures around the nation. For 2025, the star of the show is the grand rock formations of Meteora in the region of Thessaly. Rising 1,300 feet above the plains, Meteora’s towering sandstone pillars have been home to Greek Orthodox monasteries for almost a millennia. 

Meteora

The isolated, serene landscape first attracted monks in the 11th century. Despite massive logistical challenges, over time Meteora (which translates to “suspended in the air”) became home to 24 monasteries, most of them constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries. Meteora eventually hosted the second largest monastic community in Greece after Mount Athos. Only six monasteries survive in Meteora today and have become popular tourist destinations. The breathtaking location was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Gold Coins

Produced by the National Mint–IETA in Athens on behalf of the Bank of Greece and designed by Maria Antonatou, the gold proof coin depicts one of the iconic monasteries perched atop Meteora’s dramatic sandstone cliffs. The reverse features a composite of 12 crosses in a clustered pattern, and in the middle is the Hellenic crest surrounded by a wreath of olive branches. The legend ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΉ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΊΑ (“Hellenic Republic”) appears along the upper rim, while the denomination, 50 ΕΥΡΩ (“50 euro”), is below. 

Now available, each 14mm coin is encapsulated and comes in a custom case, accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Mintage is limited to 1,200. To order, visit the Bank of Greece’s website.