VISIT OF KING GEORGE I OF THE HELLENES TO THE CITY OF LONDON

ADAMS, George Gammon: Greece, 1880, Bronze, 76 mm
Obv: Bust of King George    GEORGE 1ST KING OF THE HELLENES
Rev: Londinia offering an address of welcome to Hellas standing before a view of the Parthenon. Britannia standing behind Londinia before a view of St. Paul's Cathedral
Signed: G.G. ADAMS SC
Mintage: 400
In original case of issue (see Appendix)
Ref: Welch 16; BHM 323/3077; Eimer 195/1668;  Europese Penningen # 1951;  Weiss BW002

George I (1845-1913), king of the Hellenes (1863-1913), was the second son of Christian IX of Denmark and brother of Princess Alexandra of Denmark (the future Queen Consort of England). George succeeded Otto I (previously Prince Otto of Bavaria) as King , after Otto had been forced to flee Greece in 1862 after an insurrection. George, who was previously Prince Wilhelm of Denmark, was elected King of the Hellenes in 1863. In 1867, he married Princess Olga, daughter of Grand Duke Constantine of Russia. The King visited England in 1880, and was entertained by the Corporation of London at Guildhall, the event commemorated by this medal. George was assassinated at Salonika in 1913 by a mentally deranged Greek named Schinas who himself committed suicide while awaiting trial by jumping through a window during questioning. George had reigned almost fifty years and had planned to abdicate after his Golden Jubilee celebrations.

LINK to Biography of George I of Greece (from Wikipedia)

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