The 1922 Greek small-denomination emergency notes — including this 10 Lepta — were created through one of the more unusual monetary expedients in European history. Facing a severe coin shortage and wartime financial strain during the Asia Minor campaign, the Greek government authorized the physical cutting in half of existing 1 Drachmai banknotes. Each half circulated as a separate 50 Lepta note; this 10 Lepta piece came from a different but parallel emergency issue of the same period.
The bisection scheme was legally formalized, with each half retaining its validity — a rare case where mutilation of currency was not just tolerated but mandated by decree.
The 1922 Greek small-denomination emergency notes — including this 10 Lepta — were created through one of the more unusual monetary expedients in European history. Facing a severe coin shortage and wartime financial strain during the Asia Minor campaign, the Greek government authorized the physical cutting in half of existing 1 Drachmai banknotes. Each half circulated as a separate 50 Lepta note; this 10 Lepta piece came from a different but parallel emergency issue of the same period.
The bisection scheme was legally formalized, with each half retaining its validity — a rare case where mutilation of currency was not just tolerated but mandated by decree.