Greece Unveils Commemorative Coin for Battle of Crete's 85th Anniversary

Wednesday, 20 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greece is issuing a commemorative coin in 2026 to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, which took place in May 1941. The battle was one of the largest airborne military operations in World War II, when German forces launched a massive parachute invasion of the island. Despite fierce resistance from Allied troops and Cretan civilians, the island fell after 11 days of intense fighting. The battle holds deep cultural significance for Cretans, who commemorate it annually on May 20. Visitors to Crete can explore this history at the Battle of Crete Museum in Heraklion and at memorial sites across the island, including Maleme, where the decisive airfield battle took place. The commemorative coin is expected to be available through the Bank of Greece and select numismatic outlets.