The 500 Drachmes 2000, issued by Greece, is a commemorative coin celebrating the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and honoring Spyros Louis, the first modern Olympic marathon champion from the 1896 Athens Olympics. This coin is part of a series that highlights Greece’s rich Olympic heritage as the birthplace of the Games.
The obverse features a portrait of Spyros Louis, the Greek athlete who won the first-ever Olympic marathon in 1896, becoming a national hero. His name, "ΣΠΥΡΟΣ ΛΟΥΗΣ", is inscribed alongside the design. The inscription "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" (Hellenic Republic) surrounds the upper edge, while the denomination "500 ΔΡΑΧΜΕΣ" (500 Drachmes) is positioned below.
The reverse showcases the official emblem of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, a stylized olive wreath (kotinos), which was the traditional prize for Olympic victors in ancient Greece. The year "2000" is inscribed at the bottom, marking the coin’s issue date.
Struck in cupronickel, this coin is a significant collectible for Olympic and sports enthusiasts, symbolizing Greece’s historic role in the revival of the Olympic Games.
