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500 Drachmai
| Issuer | National Bank of Greece |
|---|---|
| Year | 1872-1886 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ ΠΕΝΤΙΚΟΣΙΑΙ Πληρωτεαι επι τη εμφανισει Εν Αθηναις την 500 (Translation: National Bank of Greece Five hundred drachmai Payable on appearance In Athens on (date) 500 500) |
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| Protection type | Watermark, Underprint |
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| Comments |
The National Bank of Greece turned to the American Bank Note Company for this series at a time when ABNCo was the dominant supplier of intaglio-printed currency to governments that lacked domestic printing infrastructure of comparable quality. Greece had been using foreign printers since independence, and the relationship with New York-based security printers was well established by the 1870s.
The 500 Drachmai was the highest denomination in general circulation for much of this period — a substantial sum against Greek wage levels of the time, meaning these notes moved through commercial and banking channels rather than retail trade. Heavy wear on surviving examples is consequently rare; mishandling by institutions was another matter.
The issue span of fourteen years reflects the NBG's conservative approach to reissue, not a printing run of that duration.