Royal Australian Mint releases commemorative coin for 85th anniversary of Battle of Crete

Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias met with Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, to sermon the further strengthening of defence practice betwixt the two countries, with a absorption connected innovation.

In a station connected κοινωνικά media level X, Dendias said the gathering covered “issues relating to the further enhancement of bilateral practice successful the defence sector, with an accent connected innovation.”

During the meeting, Duncan presented the curate with a recently released commemorative coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint, marking the 85th day of the Battle of Crete.

Είχα σήμερα στο Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας, συνάντηση με την Πρέσβη της Αυστραλίας, κα Alison Duncan @AusAmbAthens, η οποία μου παρέδωσε αναμνηστικό νόμισμα, με αφορμή την 85η Επέτειο της Μάχης της Κρήτης.

Συζητήσαμε, μεταξύ άλλων, θέματα που αφορούν στην περαιτέρω ενίσχυση της… pic.twitter.com/c341RCQYfJ

— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) April 27, 2026

In a statement connected Facebook, the Australian Embassy successful Greece highlighted the value of the anniversary.

“In April 1941, 85 years ago, the world witnessed 1 of the astir courageous acts of absorption of the Second World War, arsenic the radical of Greece stood steadfast against the Nazi invasion,” the statement read.

“Australian forces fought broadside by broadside with the Greek Army and the Greek people. Together, they defended state and forged a heavy and lasting enslaved of relationship and communal respect betwixt Australia and Greece.”

To commemorate the milestone, the Royal Australian Mint has released a limited-edition metallic collectible coin honouring the campaigns successful Greece and Crete.

Duncan, it noted, had the honour of presenting the coin to Dendias “as a tribute to the enduring relationship betwixt our two countries.”

Part of wider World War II commemorative series

According to the Royal Australian Mint, the coin forms portion of its “1941: Service Amid Strife (Australia successful the Second World War)” bid of 20-cent commemorative coins.

“The battles crossed the Mediterranean—at sea, successful the aerial and connected land—shaped the experiences of the Australian Armed Forces successful 1940 and 1941,” the Mint said.

“The three coins successful this bid honour the large campaigns crossed these theatres successful 1941, arsenic well arsenic the constitution of the Women’s Services, archetypal created successful the aforesaid year.”

The commemorative bid highlights Australia’s wartime publication while reinforcing the humanities ties forged with Greece during 1 of the astir pivotal periods of the 20th century. Source: Facebook/Royal Australian Mint

Design inspired by Crete campaign

The Greece and Crete coin plan centres connected the German airborne battle connected Crete. Junkers craft are depicted flying successful formation, while German paratroopers descend from the sky.

At the bosom of the plan is an Australian soldier operating an anti-aircraft weapon aimed astatine the advancing enemy. The soldier stands connected a structure inspired by Minoan columns, a distinctive architectural diagnostic of Crete.

A horizontal enactment of upright figures symbolises the wounded, those warring and those who fell successful the conflict, while the blue-and-white colour palette references the stripes of the Greek flag.

Other coins successful the series

Another coin successful the bid focuses connected campaigns successful North Africa and the Middle East, featuring subject instrumentality used by the Royal Australian Air Force, Army and Navy. The vessel depicted is HMAS Stuart, which played a relation successful the evacuation of Crete, alongside a Hawker Hurricane craft and an Ordnance QF 25-pounder gun.

A third coin honours the constitution of Australia’s Women’s Auxiliary Services successful 1941, depicting the divers roles undertaken by women during the war. Morse codification lines diagnostic prominently successful the design, forming the acronyms of the three services, while the colour strategy draws connected the uniforms of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force.