The collection was donated to the United Sates Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2003 by Joel Forman.
No restrictions on use
overall: Height: 2.750 inches (6.985 cm) | Width: 5.500 inches (13.97 cm)
Greek currency printed on lightweight, off-white rectangular paper. The face has a large, centered, yellow shaded background with a latticework design. In the center is the numeric denominations in yellow, overlaid on blue shaded sinuous lines. Flanking the center are designs of black, parallel lines that overlap and intertwine with each other. Surrounding the center is black Greek text with a serial number stamped in red below. Along the top and the bottom are light blue borders. The top has Greek text and the bottom has a vine of leaves extending out from the center. Both the left and right sides have a frieze of a perched bird with its head turned toward the inside and weaving vines in the background. The reverse features a large, centered, green background composed of the numeric denomination surrounded by thin, knotted lines. Overlaid in the center is an image of the Kapnikarea Church; it is inside a border with a flat bottom and a domed top. The church has a pitched roof with a wide, domed spire and several small trees along the outside. The numeric denomination is in each corner, overlaid on a small background of sinuous lines. Several black X’s are on each side of the upper corners. Greek text is printed below the church on the lower right and in the domed top border. face, bottom, stamped, red ink : 112402 ΞΜ
German-issued Greek National currency valued at 100 Drachmai. The Greek currency, called Drachma, can be traced back to the 6th century BC. The currency was discontinued after the Roman conquest of Greece, and reissued after Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. Many of the Greek notes featured figures and images from Greek Mythology and history. Featured on this note is the church of Panagia Kapnikarea. It is thought that the church was built around 1050. It is also believed to be one of the oldest churches in Athens. On October 28, 1940, Italy invaded Greece, but they were repelled by the Greek forces. On April 6, 1941, Germany invaded Greece to support Italy and forced the Grecians to surrender by the end of the month. Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria collectively occupied Greece until Italy’s surrender to the Allies in September 1943. Then Germany occupied all of Greece, and forced the Greek government to pay for the occupation by printing more paper money with higher denominations. The excess Drachmai caused hyperinflation, and the price for goods and services rose dramatically. During the occupation, the price of corn was 9 million Drachmai per pound. The essentially worthless paper bills gave way to bartering of supplies such as olive oil, cigarettes, and wheat. Due to the invasion and the harsh economic policies, hundreds of thousands Grecians died from lack of food during the German occupation.
German issued Greek currency, 100 Drachmai note
No restrictions on access