1943 Bank of Greece 5000 Drachmai Banknote - Prefix Letters - WW2 Inflation Note - 1943 Greek Five Thousand Drachmai Note - P#122a

This listing is for the photographed 1943 5,000 Drachmai Bank of Greece Inflated Banknote. Issued in Athens on July 19th, 1943. This note was issued with prefix letters, differentiating it from other issues.  Issued during World War II. Denomination of this note is high, showing the extreme inflation experienced in Greece during the war. The obverse of this note shows the Parthenon Firenze that is part of the Panathenaic procession, showing men with sacrificial cattle across the note, with a portrait of a statue of the Greek Goddess Athena at the center. The reverse of this note depicts a bas relief from the west Firenze of the Parthenon portraying two cavalry horse riders at the center. Extremely Fine (XF) grade/condition, minor folds and other signs of circulation. Beautiful Greek bank note that displays both modern and ancient Greek History. Great addition to any collection! P#122a (Pick Number 122a).

After Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, the government issued their first versions of paper currency in the independent nation, which displayed a Phoenix to symbolize the rebirth of Greece. In 1841 the National Bank of Greece was established, becoming the official issuing authority of paper currency until 1928. From 1928 to 2001 the Bank of Greece took over the issuance of Greek banknotes, issuing this note in 1955. The bank had to adapt to the economic fluctuations of the country after the two World Wars, with evidence of inflation from their high denominations of Drachmai notes immediately after World War II. In 2002 Greece officially changed their national currency to the Euro, demonetizing the Greek Drachmai.

This note is an extremely interesting piece of Greek history in great condition, making it a great addition to any collection!

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1943 Bank of Greece 5000 Drachmai Banknote - Prefix Letters - WW2 Inflation Note - 1943 Greek Five Thousand Drachmai Note - P#122a