GREECE, First Hellenic Republic. Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias, Governor, 1828-1831. Phoenix 1828 (Silver, 22 mm, 4.28 g, 6 h), Aegina. ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ✱ΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑ / αωκα Phoenix rising from its flames; above, cross. Rev. ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΤΗΣ Ι•Α•ΚΑΠΟΔΙΣΤΡΙΑΣ / •1828• Value 1 / ΦΟΙΝΙΞ within wreath. Divo 1. Karamitsos 20. KM 4. Rare and nicely toned. Minor scratches, otherwise, very fine.



The Phoenix was the only silver nominal minted under John Capodistrias, the first president of independent Greece after Ottoman rule. The silver for these coins came from foreign passenger and cargo ships captured by the Greek navy.