2026 20c 1941 Service Amid Strife Greece & Crete Coin
Fascist Italy invaded Greece via occupied Albania in October 1940. The Italian assault having ground to a halt, Italy’s ally Nazi Germany invaded Greece from Bulgaria in April 1941, opening up a second front. Commonwealth troops were deployed, including the 6th Division of the Australia Imperial Force, but after a series of defeats it became clear that the Allies could not hold back the German invasion, and they withdrew south to the island of Crete.
The Germans managed to capture key airfields in the west of Crete; using these as a foothold, further German reinforcements followed. The Allies lacked the heavy weaponry and air support necessary to hold the island and were forced to evacuate. The disasters in Greece and Crete resulted in 1,600 Australians killed or wounded, and more than 5,000 taken prisoner.
Greek and Cretan troops had resisted the invaders side by side with the Australian and other Commonwealth forces. In the postwar period, when many Greeks and Cretans emigrated to Australia, the shared experiences of fighting against fascist aggression formed a point of connection amid differences in culture, language and ethnicity.
This 2026 20c Coloured Uncirculated Coin commemorates this arduous chapter of Australian involvement in the Second World War.
Struck by the Royal Australian Mint from CuNi, these 20c coins are issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965 and have a mintage of 40,000.
DESIGN
The reverse of the coin features a design by Mint coin designer Aaron Baggio, commemorating the Battles of Greece and Crete in April – May 1941 as well as the monetary denomatinion. Also includes the inscriptions “1941”, “GREECE & CRETE” as well as the national colours of greece.
The coin’s obverse depicts the Dan Thorne effigy of His Majesty King Charles III and the 2026 year-date.
PRESENTATION
Each coin is presented encapsulated in a blue and white presentation card, featuring images of Australian personnel in Greece.
Technical Specifications
| Year Date | 2026 |
| Denomination (AUD) | 0.20 |
| Metal Content | CuNi |
| Mass (g) | 11.30 |
| Diameter (mm) | 28.52 |
| Finish | Uncirculated |
| Maximum Mintage | 40,000 |
| Reverse / Obverse Designer | A. Baggio / D. Thorne |
| Packaging | Coin in presentation card |



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