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5 Drachmai
| Issuer | National Bank of Greece |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914-1919 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | First modern drachma (1832-1944) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | A portrait vignette of Georgios Stavros occupies the left portion of the face, with the denomination numeral at centre and the national coat of arms at right, the latter bearing an overprint reading ΝΕΟΝ. The bank title ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ runs across the top, with a date inscription of 5 June 1918 below the central design. Three signature lines for the cashier, governor, and royal commissioner appear at the foot of the note. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | An intaglio vignette of Athena in three-quarter portrait, wearing an ornate crested helmet, is set within an elaborate guilloche border at centre. The denomination inscription ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ ΠΕΝΤΕ appears in a dark scroll band above the vignette, flanked by large numeral 5 at each side, with the series inscription ΕΚΔΟΣΙΣ ΤΡΙΤΗ positioned below. The printer's imprint of the American Bank Note Company appears at the lower margin. |
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| Comments |
The ABNCo contract for this series reflects Greece's limited domestic printing capacity during a politically turbulent stretch that included the National Schism — the bitter constitutional rupture between King Constantine I and Prime Minister Venizelos that split the country into rival governments. The note circulated across a Greece that was, depending on the year, operating under two competing administrations with separate fiscal policies.
ABNCo printed extensively for Greek issues during this period, and the relationship predated the war years. Worth noting: the relatively small face value meant these saw heavy day-to-day use, and genuinely uncirculated survivors are disproportionately uncommon for the type.