500 Drachmai, National Bank of Greece, Greece, 1923 (Pick 77)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1923
Issuing entity
Kingdom of GreeceThis 500 Drachmai note was issued in Greece by the National Bank of Greece, dated 1923. It belongs to the First modern drachma (1832-1944) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: George II (1922-1924, 1935-1947). It measures 180 × 85 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 77.
Obverse: Georgios Stavros at centre, columns and denomination at sides. Scripts: Greek and Latin. Reverse: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul at centre, decorated columns at sides. Scripts: Greek and Latin. 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.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 2
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Very few notes exist in an uncut form, as none were intended to be issued. All surviving "issued" notes were stolen from the printing facility by an ABNC employee, who added serial numbers and spent the notes. All unissued notes were later cut. For this note that was cut in 1926, see P#82. A total of 950 000 notes were printed. All of these, except for those that were stolen, were cut and issued in 1926. The line for the "regular" note has been left in case any surviving notes surface. More information is available on the stolen banknotes from a Stack's Bowers auction lot containing one of the surviving notes, including a 1928 telegram from the National Bank of Greece
Physical characteristics
- Size
- 180 × 85 mm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Material
- Paper
Technical characteristics
- Printer
- American Banknote Corporation (American Bank Note Company), United States (1795-date)
- Currency
- First modern drachma (1832-1944)
- Demonetized
- Yes
- Issuing bank
- National Bank of Greece
Design
- Obverse
- Georgios Stavros at centre, columns and denomination at sides. Scripts: Greek and Latin
- Reverse
- Hagia Sophia in Istanbul at centre, decorated columns at sides. Scripts: Greek and Latin
Identification
- Value
- 500 Drachmai
- Dates recorded
- 1923
- Distinguishing features
- Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
- Catalogue number to match
- Pick 77
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P77
- NumistaN# 262487
Research required
- Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.