Nomos 31

GREECE. Georgios II, second reign, 1935-1947. Pattern 20 Drachmai 1940 (Gold, 21 mm, 6.43 g, 12 h), proof pattern lacking the denomination numeral Heaton mint, issued on the event of the 5th anniversary of the restoration of monarchy, from dies by F. Kovacs and O. Steinberger, reeded edge. ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ Β! ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ / 25 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 1935 Bare head of Georgios II to left. Rev. Laurel wreath tied below, containing the word ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ; above, the crown of the Kingdom of Greece. Karamitsos T.115 = KM Pn60 (this coin). Excessively rare, apparently unique. Proof. Graded by NGC "PF 65+ CAMEO". Cert number: 6644261-005.

From the El-Greco Collection of Modern Greek Rarities, and from the collection of Leonidas C. Hermes, Hess-Divo 273, 25 March 1998, 172, ex Schweizerischer Bankverein 8, 1979, 615 (as "Unique Proof FDC" and was acquired by Hermes against Dimitri Loulakakis). Prior to that it was offered in NCirc 74.5 in May 1966.

From the five patterns created for the commemorative series of the 5th anniversary of the restoration of monarchy in 1940, the present piece certainly stands out as being both completely different and special. Apart from the fact that it is the only pattern in Gold that we are aware of, the lack of the denomination numeral is an indication that this coin could be a pattern for both of the gold coins, which were eventually issued: i.e., including the 100 Drachmai. The fact that it was struck in Gold and lacks the denomination, leads to the assumption that it was struck to be offered for approval to the King of the Greeks himself.