The 1973B series of drachma was all about the Phoenix. The engraver, instead of re-packaging the older designs of 1830 and 1930 - which were more "natural" in their depiction, tried a different approach, with more modern and geometric elements.
You'll notice that the feathers form a geometric grid of diamond-shaped lattices. Interestingly, from certain angles, this creates the effect that gem faceting has on precious stones (in terms of different reflections per facet due to different angles) - but it needs the coin to have low wear in order for the reflective effect to be visible.
There are several other differences compared to the "classic" Phoenix, with some of them being that the fire beneath the Phoenix is quite smaller, the cross in the upper part is missing and the eye of the phoenix is smaller (the 1930 Phoenix has a glass-eye effect, under certain angles).
The 1973 Phoenix was depicted in the "heads" side of the aluminum 10 and 20 cents, the brass 50 cents, 1 drachma and 2 drachma, as well as the cupronickel 5 drachma, 10 drachma and 20 drachma.
The entire series (1973B) is probably the most beautiful set of widely circulated Greek coins that has been minted in the last two centuries. An uncirculated set will typically go around 15-20$.
Photos are from the 1 drachma (brass) and the 20 drachma (cupronickel).
Photographic settings: Compact Sony DSC-WX220 / ISO 100 / EV -2.0 / Natural Light
Copyright notice: I release these in the public domain, for use or edit, by anyone, for any reason, with no attribution required.
