1000000 GRD #224

Front

The Ephebe of Antikythera (Ἔφηβος Ἀντικυθήρων), a bronze statue recovered from the Antikythera shipwreck in 1900, dating to circa 340–330 BC. The sculpture, now housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, is believed to represent either Paris or Perseus. The inscription 'ΕΦΗΒΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΚΥΘΗΡΩΝ' (Ephebe of Antikythera) appears below the portrait. The note is dated 29 June 1944 during the German occupation hyperinflation period.

Back

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, built circa 444–440 BC during the Age of Pericles. This Doric temple overlooks the Aegean Sea at the southernmost tip of Attica and remains one of Greece's most significant ancient monuments. The inscription 'ΣΟΥΝΙΟΝ-ΝΑΟΣ ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩΝΟΣ' (Sounion – Temple of Poseidon) identifies the scene. 'ΕΚΔΟΣΙΣ ΠΡΩΤΗ' (First Issue) appears at bottom.

History

This 1,000,000 drachmai note was issued on 29 June 1944 during the catastrophic hyperinflation of the Greek occupation by Axis powers in World War II. The German occupation authorities forced the Bank of Greece to finance occupation costs, leading to one of history's worst hyperinflations. By November 1944, prices were doubling every 4.3 days. This note, despite its million-drachma face value, was nearly worthless by late 1944. A currency reform in November 1944 exchanged 50 billion old drachmai for one new drachma.