5 Drachmai Half of 10 Drachmai

In 1922, the Greek government ordered an immediate increase in the money supply to fund military operations during the catastrophic Anatolian campaign. Rather than wait for new notes to be printed and shipped, the authorities took an expedient that became one of the more literally destructive monetary maneuvers in European history: existing 10 Drachmai notes were physically cut in half. Each half was declared legal tender at 5 Drachmai, effectively doubling the circulating currency overnight with no new printing required.

The left half retained the serial number; the right half was the holder's proof of the other half. Forced loan legislation compelled citizens to surrender one half to the state.