5 Million Drachma Note

A 5,000,000 drachma note from 1944. This was one of the notes issued as hyperinflation drove denominations to their peak. The design on its face is that of the nymph of the spring, Arethusa, from the decadrachm of Syracuse—a face hailed as the pinnacle of ancient numismatic art around 400 BC, which returned after more than 2,300 years to appear on paper whose value was melting away. While the names and values of currencies change, the designs alone travel through time. This is an exhibit from the Numismatic Museum of Athens.