Among the earliest paper money ever issued by a Greek governing authority, this note dates to the first years of the War of Independence, when the Provisional Administration was attempting to function as a legitimate state while simultaneously fighting the Ottomans. The Εθνικόν Ταμείον — the National Treasury — had essentially no specie reserves to back these emissions; their authority rested entirely on the political credibility of the signatories and the hope of eventual liberation.
Mavrokordatos, Notaras, and Negris signing the same instrument tells you something about how personally the early Greek state was run. These were not bureaucratic countersignatures — they were the government.
Among the earliest paper money ever issued by a Greek governing authority, this note dates to the first years of the War of Independence, when the Provisional Administration was attempting to function as a legitimate state while simultaneously fighting the Ottomans. The Εθνικόν Ταμείον — the National Treasury — had essentially no specie reserves to back these emissions; their authority rested entirely on the political credibility of the signatories and the hope of eventual liberation.
Mavrokordatos, Notaras, and Negris signing the same instrument tells you something about how personally the early Greek state was run. These were not bureaucratic countersignatures — they were the government.