Catalog
500 Drachmai Corfu
| Issuer | Bank of Greece |
|---|---|
| Year | 1944 |
| Type | Local banknote |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse carries a bold black overprint on what appears to be an underlying banknote design, bearing the heading ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ / ΥΠΟΚΑΤΑΣΤΗΜΑ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑΣ (Bank of Greece, Corfu Branch). The denomination ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ 500 ΠΕΝΤΑΚΟΣΙΑΙ is overprinted in large numerals, with an authorizing text referencing the decree of 15 December 1944 granting local circulation in Corfu. A coupon at right carries serial numbers and a circular vignette of a seated figure. |
| Reverse lettering | ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ ΥΠΟΚΑΤΑΣΤΗΜΑ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑΣ ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ 500 ΠΕΝΤΑΚΟΣΙΑΙ ΕΚΔΟΘΕΙΣΑ ΒΑΣΕΙ ΤΗΣ ΥΠ ΑΡΙΘ. ΤΟ ΤΗΣ 15ΗΣ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 1944 ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΤΙΚΗΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΓΜΑΣ ΕΧΟΥΣΗΣ ΝΟΜΙΜΟΝ ΚΥΚΛΟΦΟΡΙΑΝ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΝΟΜΟΥΣ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΡΩΤΕΑΙ ΕΠΙ ΤΗΙ ΕΜΦΑΝΙΣΕΙ ΕΝ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ ΤΗΙ 15ΗΙ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 1944 ΔΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΟΝ ΔΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
The Corfu overprint series of 1944 was issued specifically for Allied-liberated Greek territory rather than the German-occupied mainland — a deliberate administrative separation intended to prevent overprinted notes from being exploited by Axis forces or black market operators moving between zones. These notes were regular Bank of Greece issues stamped for restricted regional circulation.
Greece's wartime hyperinflation was among the worst in recorded monetary history; by late 1944, the drachma had effectively collapsed, making denominations like this one nearly worthless in daily transactions almost the moment they were issued.