Featured on this lovely 500 Drachma banknote from 1983 Greece is Count Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias who was the first Governor of Greece after the 1821 War of Independence.
He was later assassinated but his deeds and memory live on in this beautiful piece of Grecian political history.
The note really is in great condition for its age and makes for a fine collectible.
The pictures are clear as to its quality, colour and edges.
The dark line on the reverse is the security strip for the note.
Design
Greece 500 Drachmas
Country: Greece
Date of issue: 1 February 1983
Obverse: Ioannis Capodistrias – The first Governor in Greece after the War of Independence (1821) + agricultural development
Reverse: The Citadel of Corfu
Watermark: Head of Charioteer of Delphi.
Dimensions: 160 mm x 72 mm
Krause Number: 201a
History
Count Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias (11 February 1776 – 9 October 1831), sometimes anglicized as John Capodistrias was a Greek Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire and one of the most distinguished politicians and diplomats of Europe. After a long career in European politics and diplomacy he was elected as the first head of state of independent Greece (1827–31) and he is considered as the founder of the modern Greek State and the founder of Greek independence.
In 1831, Kapodistrias ordered the imprisonment of Petrobey Mavromichalis, the Bey of the Mani Peninsula, one of the wildest and most rebellious parts of Greece. This was a mortal offence to the Mavromichalis family, and on October 9, 1831 (September 27 in the Julian Calendar) Kapodistrias was assassinated by Petrobey’s brother Konstantis and son Georgios on the steps of the church of Saint Spyridon in Nafplion.
Kapodistrias woke up early in the morning and decided to go to church although his servants and bodyguards urged him to stay at home. When he reached the church he saw his assassins waiting for him. When he reached the church steps, Konstantis and Georgios came close as if to greet him. Suddenly Konstantis drew his pistol and fired, missing, the bullet sticking in the church wall where it is still visible today. He then drew his dagger and stabbed Kapodistrias in the stomach while Georgios shot Kapodistrias in the head. Konstantis was shot by General Fotomaras, who watched the murder scene from his own window. Georgios managed to escape and hide in the French Embassy; after a few days he surrendered to the Greek authorities. He was sentenced to death by a court-martial and was executed by firing squad. His last wish was that the firing squad not shoot his face, and his last words were “Peace Brothers!”
Ioannis Kapodistrias was succeeded as Governor by his younger brother, Augustinos Kapodistrias. Augustinos ruled only for six months, during which the country was very much plunged into chaos. Subsequently King Otto was given the throne of the newly founded Kingdom of Greece.
*All biographical details are taken from Wikipedia for education purposes only.