20 Lepta

Greece's first domestic coinage was struck at the Aegina mint, established in 1828 under Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of the newly independent Greek state. The 20 Lepta was among the initial denominations produced, making these early copper pieces some of the first coins issued by a sovereign Greek government in centuries. Kapodistrias was assassinated in October 1831 — the same year this piece was struck — plunging the country into a brief civil war before the arrival of King Otto and Bavarian-administered governance in 1833.

The Aegina mint closed shortly thereafter, making its entire output extremely limited by duration alone.