500 Drachmai, National Bank of Greece, Greece, 1914–1918 (Pick 56)

This 500 Drachmai note was issued in Greece by the National Bank of Greece, with dates recorded from 1914–1918. It belongs to the First modern drachma (1832-1944) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Constantine I (1913-1917, 1920-1922). It measures 195 × 100 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 56.

Obverse: Portrait of Georgios Stavros at left, Athena wearing helmet at centre, coat of arms at right. Scripts: Greek and Latin. Its lettering reads “ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ / 500 ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ ΠΕΝΤΑΚΟΣΙΑΙ 500 / Πληρωτέαι ἐπὶ τῇ ἐμφανίσει / Έν Άθήναις, τῇ 5 Μαίου 1914 / Ό ταμιας / Ό διοικητης / Ό βας. επιτροπος / American Bank Note Co., New York”. Translation given in the catalogue: “National Bank of Greece 500 Five hundred drachmai 500 Payable on demand In Athens, on 5 May 1914 The cashier The governor The royal commissioner”.

Reverse: Woman and sheep with temple in the background at centre, denomination at sides Scripts: Greek and Latin. Its lettering reads “BANQUE NATIONALE DE GRÈCE / 500 500 / ΕΚΔΟΣΙΣ ΕΒΔΟΜΗ”. Translation given in the catalogue: “National Bank of Greece 500 500 Seventh issue”. The note was printed by American Banknote Corporation (American Bank Note Company), United States (1795-date). Demonetized: Yes. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.