What is the Greek Drachma?

Greece’s currency was the drachma until 2001, when the euro replaced it. The euro is the only official currency.

Understanding Greek Drachma

Many ancient Greek city-states utilized drachmas. After the formation of modern Greece in 1832, it replaced the phoenix, the initial currency initially issued in 1828. After the euro replaced the drachma in 2002, it was no longer a legal currency.

100 lepta per drachma. The Greek central bank printed 10 lepta, 50 lepta, 1 drachma, 2 drachmae, and 5 drachmae paper drachmas between 1917 and 1920. The 1901 1000-drachma note and the 1928 5000-drachma note followed. Between 1940 and 1944, the Greek government produced 50 lepta to 20 drachmae notes.2

From 1944 on, Greece replaced old drachmae with new ones at a rate of 50 trillion to one, issuing one, five, 10, and 20 drachmae banknotes. Greece joined Bretton Woods in 1953 to reduce inflation. The following year, a 1000-to-1 drachma revaluation at 30 drachmae per U.S. dollar occurred.

The euro replaced the three current Greek drachmas in 2001 at 340.750 per euro. The euro was launched in January 2002 after this exchange rate was set on June 19, 2000.

Greek Drachma and Grexit

Since the 2009 Greek financial crisis, there have been debates about Greece quitting the E.U. and reinstating the Drachma  known as “Grexit.,

As its national currency, the primary motivation for Grexit was to save Greece from bankruptcy. A devalued drachma would attract foreign investment and European tourists at lower rates by paying in more expensive euros. In Greece, the euro would rise.

Greece would suffer in the near term, but increasing investment and tourism would enable it to emerge from its debt problems without European support and strict criteria.

Those opposed to Grexit said that switching to the lower-valued Drachma would diminish Greeks’ living standards, cause a problematic economic transition, and cause civil unrest.

A referendum on July 5, 2015, asked Greeks to ratify an accord with its creditors—the European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund. The Greeks rejected the austerity program, sparking rumors of Grexit and a return to the Drachma.

The Greek parliament approved a slightly amended accord on the 16th, preventing Greece’s department from leaving the Eurozone.

Greek Drachma History

The Greek National Bank printed drachma banknotes from 1841 to 2001 when it joined the E.U. and adopted the euro. Its most common denominations were 10 to 500 drachmae, while older denominations were 1 and 2. Cutting a ten-drachma note in half produces five drachmas.

The most common drachma currency in Ancient Greece, the tetradrachm, featured Athena with an owl.

In 1828, Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire and issued the phoenix as its currency, although it barely lasted four years. Reintroducing the Drachma in 1832 brought it back to its roots. The initial drachmae notes featured King Otto, who ruled Greece from 1832 until 1862.

Euro/Greek Drachma

When Greece adopted the euro, it profited enormously. Its currency changed from low to high. With its currency, Greece could print freely until it promoted economic development. Investment, exports, and tourism would grow with a weaker currency. A drawback is that excessive money production leads to inflation.

Though Greece has its own currency, it benefits from being part of the Eurozone. It receives aid packages and has a strong currency, which makes commerce safer and more efficient. The euro creates stable financial markets, which boosts commerce and investment in Greece.

Using the euro has strict restrictions that help affluent nations like Germany but not poorer ones like Greece.

Drachma Value in Ancient Times?

Economists believe the 5th-century B.C. drachma was worth $54 in 2021.

From What Was the Drachma?

Silver became copper-based, debasing the Drachma.

Why did Greece abandon the Drachma?

Greece abandoned the Drachma when the E.U. adopted one currency. Greece has been in the E.U. since the 1980s and adopted one currency to improve commerce and financial markets with the rest of the E.U.

Will Greece revert to Drachma?

Despite “Grexit” proponents, Greece will not return to the Drachma.

Bottom Line

From ancient times until the 1800s, the Greek drachma was the country’s currency until 2001, when the euro replaced it. Recently, Greece has debated returning to the Drachma after converting to the euro, which has pros and cons. Despite a reduced currency value, Greece benefits from utilizing the euro in many areas.

Correction: December 8, 2021.In 2015, Greece decided to continue with the euro or convert to the Drachma, with the latter receiving the majority.

Conclusion

• Greece adopted the euro in 2001, replacing the drachma. It was ancient Greek and city-state money.
• Its most common denominations were 10 to 500 drachmae, while older denominations were 1 and 2.
• Greece’s debt crisis in the mid-2000s called into doubt the euro’s benefits.
• Grexit, which advocates a return to the Drachma, acquired momentum amid Greece’s debt crisis.