Two Oboli, Coin Type from Ionian Islands - detailed information

Two Oboli, Coin Type from Ionian Islands (issued 1819 - 1819)
Coin TypeTwo Oboli

The United States of the Ionian Islands was formed on 14 November 1815 and was made up of seven principal islands: Corfu, Cephalonia, Zante, Santa Maura, Ithaca, Cerigo and Paxo. These islands are represented by the seven arrows held by the winged lion of St. Mark (a Venetian symbol reflecting the Venetian control of the islands from 1401 until 1797).

The Obol was equivalent to an English halfpenny, so the Two Oboli coin is listed as "One Penny" in some sources. It is also known as a "diobol" (double obol).

Coins were minted at the Royal Mint in London and, like the rest of the coinage with the exception of the 30 Lepta coins, do not indicate the denomination in any way.

On some coins there is a dot after the date and on some there isn't. However, this doesn't seem to be a mint mark. According to Remick's Guide and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins, some of the Ionian coinage was struck at the Ralph Heaton and Sons mint in Birmingham, but there is no indication which. The Greek Wikipedia entry on Ionian coinage only shows Birmingham one Obol (five Lepta) coins.

Obverse

Winged lion of St. Mark facing to left holding Bible and seven arrows; below, the date; around above, ΙΟΝΙΚΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ (Ionian State, in Greek).

Obverse Inscription ΙΟΝΙΚΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ
Reverse

Figure of Britannia seated facing left with shield and trident; above, BRITANNIA. In tiny letters on ground line, W WYON.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

References to additional information:

[Book] Atkins, James. 1889. The Coins and Tokens of the Possessions and Colonies of the British Empire. pp 19-20
[Book] Pridmore, Fred. 1960. The Coins of the British Commonwealth of Nations Part 1, European Territories.
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins., pp 392-394

Coin Type: Two Oboli - (1) Coins
Coin NameReverseObverseIn my collection(s)
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Vasilakopoulos Numismatics deal with high-grade, rare Greek coins, as well as world coins and gold.
Vasilakopoulos Numismatics deal with high-grade, rare Greek coins, as well as world coins and gold.
Two Oboli: Details
CountryIonian Islands
CurrencyIonian Obol
From1819
To1819
Face Value2 (x Obol)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1864)
MaterialCopper
DesignerWilliam Wyon
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size35.0000 mm
Mass18.9000 g
Two Oboli: Photos
ImageDetails
Two Oboli: Photo Proof Coin - 2 Oboli, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819 Proof Coin - 2 Oboli, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Two Oboli: Photo Proof Coin - 2 Oboli, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819 Proof Coin - 2 Oboli, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source