2024 Greece €5 Silver Prooflike Coin "Greek Revolution: Destruction of Kasos 200 Years"

• Mint: Bank of Greece
• Denomination: €5
• Quality: Prooflike
• Issue limit: 3,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 33.3% Silver
• Diameter: 31 mm
• Weight: 17 grams
• Design: G. Stamatopoulos/M. Antonatou
• Box/Capsule: No/Yes
• Certificate: Printed folder

Additional Information

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This release honors the 200th anniversary of the tragic destruction and massacre at Kasos by Egyptian forces during the Greek War of Independence.

In 1824, Sultan Mahmud allied with Muhammad Ali of Egypt to suppress the Greek Revolution. Muhammad Ali’s son, Ibrahim, mustered a large expeditionary force and fleet. After putting down the rebellion in Crete, the Egyptians moved against Kassos, a strategically located maritime island that had assisted the Cretans’ revolt. The Greek government was unable to send its fleet due to lack of funds, leaving the island undefended.

On the night of 28 to 29 May, the Egyptians staged a feigned attack on the northern coast of the island, while a small disembarkation force managed to land unobserved at another site. The Kassiots fought heroically but were, inevitably, defeated. A terrible massacre ensued; the island was devastated, over 2,000 people were killed, and an equal number of women and children were enslaved. The destruction of Kasos was one of the most tragic events of the Greek Revolution. Along with the destruction of Psara that followed, it was a serious setback for the Greeks, who now also had to fight a new, mighty enemy.