Greece. New Gold Proof Coins Feature stunning Meteora UNESCO World Heritage site

Launched in 2012, the annual series highlights the many sites and structures which are both historic and culturally significant. For 2025, the region of Thessaly in Northern Greece, specifically near the town of Kalampaka is the focus of the coin’s design. The rock formations of Meteora, towering sandstone pillars which dramatically rise from the plains of Thessaly has been home to Greek Orthodox Monasteries for almost a millennia. The forbidding and isolated landscape attracted monks, who settled there from the 11th century onwards. The naturally formed sandstone pillars rise over 400 meters or, 1300 feet above the Plain of Thessaly and were chosen by the Monks as they offered both serenity and safety. The pillars were named Metrora – translated as ‘suspended in the air’ and despite the incredible challenges and logistics to build these structures, over time Meteora became home for 24 monasteries, most of them built between the 14th-16th centuries.

Meteora also became home to the second largest monastic community in Greece after Mount Athos, and is regarded as a treasure trove of post-Byzantine art as several churches were painted by such 16th century masters as Theophanes the Cretan and Frangos Katelanos. Landmark sites include the Monasteries of the Transfiguration of Christ - Great Meteoron, Barlaam, the Holy Trinity and St Nicholas Anapafsas. Of the 24 monasteries built, only six survive today and have become popular sites for local visitors and tourists who are attracted by the unspoilt and breath-taking landscape and welcomed throughout the year. In 1988, Meteora was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List for its unique fusion of natural beauty and cultural significance.

The gold proof coins are produced by the National Mint – IETA at their facilities in Athens on behalf of the Bank of Greece and designed by Maria Antonatou. The obverse side depicts one of the iconic monasteries perched atop the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Meteora in Thessaly. Along the left rim is the stylised text Μετεωρα with the year 2025 placed below the primary design along with the distinctive palmette mintmark of the Greek National Mint. The reverse side features a composite and montage of twelve crosses in a clustered pattern and centred. Placed in the middle of the cluster is the Hellenic crest surrounded by a wreath of olive branches. The text ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΉ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΊΑ (Hellenic Republic) is shown above the primary design along the upper rim and the denomination 50 ΕΥΡΩ is shown along the lower rim.   

Now available, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information about this coin and other coins from the 2025 Bank of Greece numismatic programme, please visit the website of the Bank of Greece which lists ordering information.