Nomos 31

GREECE. Constantine I, first reign, 1913-1917. Pattern 1 Drachmi 1915 (Silver, 23 mm, 5.01 g, 6 h), Paris, struck from an obverse die by Κ. Demetriadis and a reverse master die by Albert-Désiré Barre, reeded edge. ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ / 1915 Laureate mature head of Constantine I to left; below truncation, in small letters, K. Δ; in the lower right field, ESSAI . Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ Crowned and mantled shield bearing the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Greece; below, ΔΡΑΧΜΗ; in small letters in the lower right field, ESSAI . Divo P100. Karamitsos T.85. KM E33. An extremely rare pattern, attractively toned. Graded by NGC "PF 63". Cert number: 2908889-010.

From the El-Greco Collection of Modern Greek Rarities, and from the collection of Dimitri Loulakakis, Spink 5, 17 May 1979, 256.

King Constantine I of Greece, born in 1868, ascended to the throne in 1913 during the tumultuous period marked by the two Balkan Wars and, then, World War I. His reign was characterized by political instability and territorial changes. Constantine I faced internal conflicts, notably during the National Schism, the deep division over Greece's involvement in World War I.

An an advocate for Greek neutrality during the war, Constantine I's stance led to tensions with the political factions supporting the Allied Powers. The ensuing conflict and political unrest ultimately compelled him to abdicate in 1917.

Constantine I returned to the throne in 1920 but faced further challenges, including the Greco-Turkish War and the Asia Minor Catastrophe. The military defeat and its ensuing political unrest led to his second abdication in 1922.

Despite the complexities of his reign, King Constantine I is remembered for his contributions to the modernization of the Greek military and his efforts to navigate the intricate political landscape of the time. His legacy remains a subject of historical scrutiny, reflecting the challenges faced by Greece in the early 20th century.