Catalog
500 Drachmai
| Issuer | National Bank of Greece |
|---|---|
| Year | 1872-1886 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | Portrait vignette of Georgios Stavros at upper centre, the national arms at upper left, and an allegorical female figure at lower right, all set within an intricate guilloche border typical of American Bank Note Company intaglio work. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse lettering | BANQUE NATIONALE DE GRÈCE 500 FRANCS (Translation: National Bank of Greece 500 Francs / Drachmai) |
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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.