The Other Side of the Coin: Persons – Images – Moments

What the publication includes

The book was published as part of the celebrations marking the 50-year anniversary of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection. It includes:

• 150 coins that present the other side of coins, that which narrates stories, captures moments and documents events.
• The Collection Timeline, at the end the book, with selected documents and photos (1972-2022) listing the most significant instances of the Collection and paying tribute to its founder, Yiannis S. Costopoulos.
• A detailed catalogue listing all the coins, with illustrations and description of both sides.

The publication also includes forewords by the President of the INC (International Numismatic Council) ICOMON Ute Wartenberg Kagan, the Professor Emeritus of the University of Ioannina Katerina Liampi, the Chairman of the Alpha Bank Board of Directors Vasileios Rapanos and the Alpha Bank Group CEO Vassilios Psaltis.

The forewords are followed by a text describing the aims and activities of the Numismatic Collection.

The catalogue of a major exhibition

The publication accompanied the exhibition “The Other Side of the Coin: Persons – Images – Moments” organised by the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and hosted at the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation.

Narrations from the sphere of mythology

The book is divided into 3 thematic sections. The 1st section is dedicated to Greek mythology and includes 85 coins that present figures among the 12 Olympian gods.

It also presents secondary deities, mythical heroes, city founders, kings and the greatest Greek hero, Hercules, the demigod. Readers can also find well-known and obscure stories from the Greek and Roman mythology.

Narrations from the course of history

The 2nd section includes 47 coins. It presents historic figures that left their mark on history, as well as significant events from the Greek, Roman and Byzantine history.

Alexander the Great holds a special place, having been depicted in various ways on the coins of his Diadochi (successors). The section ends with illustrations of major historic events, such as the Naval Battle of Salamis, the Olympic victories of Philip II, the battles of the Macedonians against the Paeonians and the Scythians, the existence of 2 governing centres during the early Byzantine period and the 2nd Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Instances and images

The 3rd section includes 10 coins depicting instances from various sectors of human activity, such as hunting, sports, wars and dancing. The last 8 coins are quite interesting, with images from nature and the animal kingdom.

Edited by: Dr Dimitra Tsangari
Publisher: Alpha Bank
Place and time: Athens, 2023
Dimensions: 23 x 30 cm
Pages: 276
Cover type: Hardcover
Greek ISBN: 978-618-5072-51-3
English ISBN: 978-618-5072-50-6