The traditional Greek New Year's cake that may contain a hidden coin is vasilopita.
Vasilopita is served on New Year's Day in Greece and in Greek communities around the world. A coin is traditionally baked or concealed inside the cake, and the person who receives the slice containing it is said to have good luck for the year. The cake is named after Saint Basil, whose feast day is celebrated on January 1 in the Greek Orthodox tradition.
Families often cut slices in a set order. Some may dedicate slices to Christ, the household, or absent family members before serving individual portions. Recipes vary widely: vasilopita can resemble a sweet bread, a rich cake, or a citrus-flavored loaf, depending on local and family practice.
Vasilopita is not the same as tsoureki, the braided Easter bread commonly associated with Greece. Nor is the hidden coin a guarantee of wealth; it is a symbolic New Year's blessing. The important features are the timing, Saint Basil association, and lucky coin.