La Banca Degli Eroi (which translates to ‘The Bank of Heroes’) is a promotion released by Renato Santi in Naples, Italy in 1974. Renato Santi is a producer of confectionary.

Renato Santi’s promotion entailed a variety of imitation bank notes being placed within their confectionary lines, with a variety of bank notes holding a different ‘points’ face value. When a certain value is saved up by the purchaser of their products, the notes could be redeemed for a variety of prizes.

As the tile of the promotion suggests, The Bank of Heroes, the notes found within the confectionary contain images of comic book characters, including Green Lantern, Zagor, Superman, Tarzan, Batman, Mandrake the Magician and the Lone Ranger.

At least 5 varying designs of bank notes were produced for the promotion by Renato Santi, in full color measuring 5.9cm x 11.9cm.

The Phantom was also featured on 2 of the bank notes, in his red costume as he’s published in Italy. The 2 sides of these bank notes can be seen below.

We see the notes featuring the Phantom holding a value of 10 points and 50 points respectfully, with images of genuine Banca D’Italia Lire notes found on the reverse.

When a certain value is saved up, the notes could be redeemed for a variety of prizes. The prizes were:

• 10,000 points – Supertele Ball
• 15,000 points – Santos Ball
• 15,000 points – Plastic Flute
• 15,000 points – Plastic Trumpet
• 20,000 points – 30cm Doll
• 50,000 points – Special Arch (100cm)
• 80,000 points – Painted Wooden Bowels
• 80,000 points – Leather Ball
• 100,000 points – Fishes Boxes for Poker

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