Five Drachmai, Coin Type from Cretan State - detailed information

Five Drachmai, Coin Type from Cretan State (issued 1901 - 1901)
Coin TypeFive Drachmai

Composition: 0.900 silver (0.7234 oz ASW), 0.100 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 ΒΟΡΡΕΛ (the designer's name A [Alfred] Borrel in Greek transliteration) (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, mantled and supported by two figures (representing Hercules) coat of arms of the Cretan State. Around, KPHTIKH ΠOΛITEIA (Κρητική Πολιτεία - Cretan State, in Greek). Below that the denomination, 5 ΔPAXMAI (5 Δραχμαί - 5 Drachmai, or 5 Drachmas).

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 5 ΔPAXMAI
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
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Five Drachmai: Details
CountryCretan State
CurrencyCretan Drachma
From1901
To1901
Face Value5 (x Drachma)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1913)
Material0.900 Silver
DesignerHenri-Auguste Patey
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size37.0000 mm
Mass25.0000 g