Greece will soon release two commemorative coins to mark the 2500th Anniversary of The Battle of Thermopylae.

Many historians consider the Battle of Thermopylae to be one of the most important battles in world history, arguing that if the Greeks had lost, the probable capture of Greece by the Persians would have thwarted the development of Greek — and subsequently European — civilisation, as most modern western civilisation, such as philosophy, science, personal freedom and democracy, has its roots in the Ancient Greek world.

The announcement of the commemorative coins took place at the world’s largest coin fair ‘World Money Fair 2020’.

The €2 commemorative coin which depicts an ancient Greek helmet on the national side, will soon be circulated across the Eurozone. Inscribed on the coin are the words “2,500 years from the Battle of Thermopylae” and “Hellenic Republic”.

The other €10 silver commemorative coin which can be bought by collectors, features a shielded Greek hoplite (soldier) on the front with the words “Thermopylae – 480 BC,” and “Leonidas” on the arch. Flip the coin around, and on the back is a depiction of Greek warriors facing the Persians. In the middle is the coat of arms of Greece and the words “2,500 years since the Battle of Thermopylae” and “Hellenic Republic”.