Greece 100 Drachmai Banknote – Kanaris & “Glory of Psara” (1944 Issue)
Pick# 170 | Numista Ref. N#209689
Issued on 11 November 1944 by the Bank of Greece, this note belongs to the Third Issue of emergency wartime currency released as Greece transitioned out of Axis occupation. Its imagery honours naval heroism from the Greek War of Independence, linking the struggle of the 1820s with the national hardships of the 1940s. Printed on paper with a blue‑and‑gold palette, it is one of the most recognisable notes of the late drachma inflation period.
Design Highlights
Obverse
Blue on gold underprint with strong contrast typical of wartime issues
Central vignette of a ship engulfed in flames, referencing the naval sacrifices of the independence era
Portrait of Konstantinos Kanaris, famed admiral and revolutionary hero known for his daring fireship attacks
Issuing authority: Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος (Bank of Greece)
Denomination: ΔΡΑΧΜΑΙ ΕΚΑΤΟΝ
Signatures of the Manager and Governor (Kyriakos Varvaresos)
Greek script throughout
Reverse
Multicolour underprint with a purple dominant tone
Central artwork: “Glory of Psara”, based on the painting by Nikolaos Gyzis, symbolising the destruction of Psara and the resilience of the Greek people
Denomination at left and repeated in multiple positions
Watermark area at right
Greek script with the inscription ΕΚΔΟΣΙΣ ΤΡΙΤΗ (Third Issue)
Colour & Style
Blue, gold, and purple tones with wartime printing softness
Strong patriotic and historical themes
Classical and romantic artistic influences typical of early‑20th‑century Greek banknote design
Key Specifications
Feature Description
Country Greece
Issuer Bank of Greece
King George II (reign periods 1922–24, 1935–47)
Type Standard circulation banknote
Year 1944
Denomination 100 Drachmai
Currency Second Modern Drachma (1944–1953)
Composition Paper
Size 146 × 73 mm
Shape Rectangular
Issue Date 11 November 1944
Demonetized Yes
References P# 170
Watermark Head of Themistocles
Security Features
Watermark of Themistocles, the ancient Athenian statesman and naval commander
Multicolour underprint and fine‑line engraving
Traditional security elements consistent with wartime production limitations
Why Collect This Note
The 1944 100 Drachmai note is valued for its historical resonance and dramatic design:
Issued during a pivotal moment as Greece emerged from occupation
Features two major symbols of naval heroism: Kanaris and the “Glory of Psara”
Represents the early phase of the Second Modern Drachma, preceding the hyperinflation of 1944–46
Strong artistic appeal and patriotic themes make it a favourite among collectors of wartime currency
Increasingly scarce in higher grades due to heavy circulation and post‑war economic instability
