1944 Greek Drachma

The 1944 Drachma was struck in Athens mere months after the city was liberated from German forces in October, using whatever metal scraps were on hand—mostly aluminum from wartime reserves.

That makes it a stark reminder of the chaos that followed occupation, with designs featuring King George II's profile, a holdover from pre-war issues. The coin's edges were often roughly finished, a byproduct of hurried production in makeshift conditions.

I've handled dozens of these over three decades, and the myths about hidden treasures in every attic wear thin. For instance, while some claim high mintages, records from that era are spotty, likely lost in the postwar disorder.

As for rarity, it's uneven; common in Greece, but elusive elsewhere. One dry note: These coins didn't circulate long before inflation rendered them nearly worthless, a fate that might make modern hoarders chuckle ruefully.