1944 Bank of Greece 2000 Million (2 Billion) Drachmai Banknote - WW2 Inflation Note - 1944 Greek Two Thousand Million Drachmai Note - P#133

This listing is for the photographed 1944 2,000,000,000 Drachmai Bank of Greece Inflated Banknote. Issued in Athens on October 11th, 1944. This note was issued with suffix letters, differentiating it from other issues.  Issued during World War II, towards the end of the conflict. Denomination of this note is extremely high, showing the extreme inflation experienced in Occupied Greece during wartime. The obverse of this note shows the Parthenon Firenze that is part of the Panathenaic procession, showing men with sacrificial cattle across the note. The reverse of this note is designed with decorative framing and guilloche patterns. Choice Very Fine (VF+) grade/condition, some visible folds and signs of circulation. Beautiful Greek bank note that displays both modern and ancient Greek History. Great addition to any collection! P#133 (Pick Number 133).

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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1944 Bank of Greece 2000 Million (2 Billion) Drachmai Banknote - WW2 Inflation Note - 1944 Greek Two Thousand Million Drachmai Note - P#133