1549) "Iris hellenica", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mint of Greece showcasing the Iris hellenica Flower: Year of Coin issue: 2020:

1549) "Iris hellenica", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mint of Greece showcasing the Iris hellenica Flower: Year of Coin issue: 2020:

The Obverse and Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin depicting the Iris Hellenica flower/plant

    An image of an Iris Hellenica plant growing in its natural habitat

A dinner plate and table-mat from a tea-cum dinner set in our home showcasing a shadow Iris stalk/flower

About "Iris hellenica":

Iris hellenica was described as a new species in 2010.

Resembling Iris germanica, a widely cultivated plant of hybrid origin, it is distinguishable primarily by its smaller height (25-55 centimetres), smaller leaves, fruits and seeds and the lighter bluish-purple tint of its flowers.

It blooms from May to early June. Its main distribution is in the mountains of the Northern Peloponnese (Kyllini, Chelmos, Saitas, Erymanthos), where it is mostly found in openings of Greek Fir (Abies cephalonica) forests, as well as, in rocky areas, at altitudes of 1,300 to 1,800 metres.

Populations of Iris hellenica have also been found on Mount Oiti in Central Greece, indicating a phytogeographical affinity between the mountains of that region and of the Northern Peloponnese.

This can be explained by the fact that the two regions, separated today by the Corinthian Gulf, were once united until about 900,000 years ago.

The Commemorative Coin:

The Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin depicts a coloured Iris Hellenica. 

The inscriptions in Greek on the left periphery and on the right periphery read - "IRIS HELLENICA". In the left centre is the year of coin issue: "2020" and the palmette mint mark of the Mint of Greece.

The Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin depicts a contour image of Iris Hellenica, at left. To the right of the Iris image is the National Coat of Arms of Greece.

At lower right is mentioned 5 EURO (in Greek).

The specifications of this coin are:

Coin Series Theme: "Environment - Endemic Flora of Greece"; Coin Theme: Iris Hellenica; Country of issue: Greece; Denomination: 5 Euro; Year of issue: 2020; Metal Composition: .333 Fineness Silver (Ag), Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Diameter/Size: 30.50 mm; Weight: 18.80 grams;  Shape: Round; Edge: Plain; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Mint of Greece; Mint Mark: Palmette; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Special Techniques: Colour; Designer: Maria Antonatou.

Other interesting posts on Greek Coinage and Commemorative Coins:

1) Coinage of Greece: The Four Ages of Greek Coinage of Antiquity 

 2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history 

3) Ancient Olympic Games on Greek coins of Antiquity

4) Modern Greek coins: Drachmas & Leptas; Commemorative Greek Drachma coins.

5) Coinage of Greece: (Part V): Modern Coins: 1) Greek Euro Coins: ii) Greek Commemorative Euro Coins

6) Battle of Marathon: Battles that changed History Coin Series: A $2, 1 Oz Silver coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island in 2018

7) Herodotus (484 - 425 BC):" Father of History": First coin in the new coin Series titled "Greek Historians": A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Bank of Greece on 30.05.2018

8) Olympian God Apollo: Greek Mythology Coin Series: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Hellenic State Mint and issued by the Bank of Greece on 19.09.2018

9) Greece: Deposits and Loans Fund: Centenary Celebrations (1919-2019): A Commemorative 5 Euro Cupro-nickel coin issued by the Bank of Greece on 19.03.2019

10) "Demeter", Greek Mythology - "The Olympian Gods": Goddess of Agriculture: A Gold Coin of 100 Euro: Coin issue date: 03.07.2019

11) Alcaeus of Mytilene, Greek Poet (620-560 BC), Greece: "Greek Culture Coin Series" : A Silver Proof Crown Coin issued by the Bank of Greece:Issue Date: 17.09.2019

12) 2,500 years since the Battle of Thermopylae: A 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin and a 2 Euro Cupro-Nickel-Brass Coin brought out by the Bank of Greece: Date of Coin issue:11.03.2020

13) Ancient Greek Theatres, Greece: Hellenic Post has brought out a set of five stamps featuring the Ancient Theatres of Dodona, Nocopolis, Kassope, Amvrakia and Gitana (all in Epirus): Stamp issue date: 08.04.2020

14) "MYRTIS", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin dedicated to an 11 year old girl who was a victim of the PLague of Athens (430-426 BC) issued by the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 25.02.2020

15) Hermes, "Greek Mythology - The Olympian Gods Coin Series": A Gold Coin of 100 Euros: Coin issue date: 21.09.2020

16) "Iris Hellenica", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mint of Greece showcasing the Iris Hellenica Flower: Year of Coin issue: 2020