Fifty Lepta, Coin Type from Cretan State - detailed information

Fifty Lepta, Coin Type from Cretan State (issued 1901 - 1901)
Coin TypeFifty Lepta

Composition: 0.835 silver (0.0671 oz ASW), 0.165 copper.

Obverse

Bare head of Prince George of Greece and Denmark right, by Alfred Borrel. Around, ΠPIΓKHΨ ΓEΩPΓIOΣ THΣ EΛΛAΔOΣ YΠATOΣ APMOΣTHΣ EN KPHTH' (Πρίγκηψ Γεώργιος της Ελλάδος Ύπατος Αρμοστής εν Κρητή, or Prince George of Greece, High Commissioner of Crete) and the date, 1901.

The effigy and legend of Prince George appeared on Cretan coinage even though he was technically just a representative of the Great Powers on the island and not a monarch.

Below the truncation of the Prince's neck in tiny letters Α. Β. (the designer's initials for Alfred Borrel in Greek transliteration).

Obverse Inscription ΠPIΓKHΨ ΓEΩPΓIOΣ THΣ EΛΛAΔOΣ YΠATOΣ APMOΣTHΣ EN KPHTH' 1901
Reverse

At centre, the crowned coat of arms of the Cretan State. Around, KPHTIKH ΠOΛITEIA (Κρητική Πολιτεία - Cretan State, in Greek). Below that the denomination, 50 ΛEΠTA (50 Λεπτά - 50 Lepta).

To the left of the denomination, a small cornucopia - privy mark of the Director of the Paris Mint. To the right of the denomination, a torch - privy mark of Henri-Auguste Patey, chief engraver of the Paris Mint 1896 - 1926. No mint mark (A).

Reverse Inscription KPHTIKH ΠOΛITEIA 50 ΛEΠTA
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
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Fifty Lepta: Details
CountryCretan State
CurrencyCretan Drachma
From1901
To1901
Face Value50 (x Lepton)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1913)
Material0.835 Silver
DesignerHenri-Auguste Patey
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size18.0000 mm
Mass2.5000 g