PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Greece 50 Drachmai

Posted on 3/19/2024

For Women’s History Month, we’re showcasing a note that features one of the first women given the rank of admiral.



Greece, Bank of Greece 1978 50 Drachmai graded PMG 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

Country: Greece

Catalog Number: 199

Date: 1978

Denomination: 50 Drachmai

Varieties: The PMG Population Report records Replacement notes (199*) and Specimens (199s).

What makes it special? The back of the note shows Laskarina Pinotsi, also known as Laskarina Bouboulina, a Greek revolutionary who fought in the early 1820s for her nation's independence from the Ottoman Empire. The note shows her directing cannon fire at the Palamidi fortress. Her father had encouraged her interest in sailing at an early age, and she inherited a shipping business and wealth after her second husband died in a battle against pirates. She built an 18-cannon ship that played a key role in the Greek War of Independence.

Did you know? Shortly after her death in 1825, a Russian delegation granted her the honorary rank of Admiral of the Russian Navy. She is one of the first women to have been given this rank. The Hellenic Navy granted her the rank of Rear Admiral in 2018. March is Women's History Month, and we've dedicated previous March columns to other notable women on banknotes, including Viola Desmond, Eva “Evita” Perón, Women Warriors and other Famous Women.

Total graded by PMG: As of mid-March 2024, the PMG Population Report includes 407 examples of Pick# 199, five Replacement Notes and four Specimens.

PMG median grade: PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ

PMG highest graded: The PMG Population Report lists one example of Pick# 199 in PMG 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ.

Sales highlights: An example with the median grade of PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ realized $34 through eBay in February 2024.

PMG Registry: This note is part of several Greece categories in the PMG Registry, including the most popular: Bank Of Greece, 1928-1950, P92-P326b, Issued Notes, Including Varieties that is led by ioannis68's Koutras Bank of Greece, which has a Pick# 199 graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. It is also part of Greece, 1900-1998 Issues, P46-P326, Complete, which is led by ioannis68's Koutras collection, which uses the same note.

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PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Greece 50 Drachmai

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