Catalog
1000 Drachmai
| Issuer | National Bank of Greece |
|---|---|
| Year | 1928 |
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| Value | 1000 Drachmai |
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| Obverse description | Central oval intaglio vignette of Georgios Stavros, founder of the National Bank of Greece, set within an elaborate guilloche underprint flanked by the denomination numerals '1000' on either side. The upper portion carries the bank title in Greek capitals, with a red overprint of 'ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ' across the upper field. Two signature facsimiles and printed text with the payment clause appear below the central vignette, with serial numbers and prefix letters in red at the lower corners. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central vignette of the Lion Gate at Mycenae, rendered in fine intaglio, with the two confronting lionesses posed heraldically on either side of a central pillar above the relieving triangle lintel. The composition is framed by ornate guilloche borders with repeated denomination numerals along the upper and lower margins. |
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| Comments |
Greece was in the middle of a forced monetary stabilization in 1928, tied directly to a League of Nations loan package and the creation of the Bank of Greece — which would formally replace the National Bank of Greece as the sole note-issuing authority that same year. This 1000 Drachmai note was printed just as that transition was being negotiated, making it one of the last high-denomination issues under the old arrangement.
The American Bank Note Company contract reflects Greece's deliberate turn toward internationally credible production to satisfy foreign creditors monitoring the stabilization program.