Starting from March 2003, the Bank of Greece issued a series of six different coin series commemorating the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The total collection includes 18 coins (6 Gold and 12 Silver) which have been released in 6 quarterly issues, each consisting of 1 Gold and 2 Silver coins. The themes were selected by the Minister for the National Economy and the Governor of the Bank of Greece, from a set of proposals presented by a national technical and artistic committee. A special series comprising 2 gold and 4 silver coins was also minted to commemorate the Olympic Torch
The tradition of the Olympic torch relay, which culminates in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of each Games, dates from 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. To symbolize the link between the ancient and modern Olympic Games the flame is lit in a ceremony at Olympia, Greece, and carried by runners to the stadium; the lighting of the Olympic cauldron has become the most hallowed moment of the Olympic Games. On March 24, 2004, the lighting of the Olympic Flame took place in Olympia. This theme is depicted on the first gold coin.
The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay was the first trully universal realy ever. The Olympic Flame started its journey from Ancient Olympia and was carried by 3,6 thousand torch bearers across 34 cities throught the world. On August 13, 2004, it entered the Olympic Stadium lighting the central alter which remained lit throughout the Games. This theme is depicted on the second gold coin. |