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500 Euros - Spielgeld/Specimen
| Issuer | European Central Bank |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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| Composition | Paper |
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| Obverse description | Purple-toned Spielgeld specimen modelled on the genuine 500 euro First Series note, with a vignette of a modern glass-and-steel architectural facade occupying the centre-right. The EU flag appears at upper left, flanked by the denomination numeral 500 and a facsimile signature. The overprint SPIELGELD SPECIMEN is applied vertically at left in bold black letterpress. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Pink-toned reverse centred on a vignette of a modern cable-stayed bridge rendered in fine line engraving style, symbolising connectivity across Europe. To the lower right, a cartographic outline of the European continent is printed in a deeper rose tone. Denomination numerals appear at all four corners, with a stylised star motif at left. |
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| Comments |
The 500 euro denomination was discontinued by the ECB in 2019 amid concerns that its high face value made it disproportionately useful for money laundering and illicit cash transactions — a reputation it had carried for years in law enforcement circles, where it was sometimes called the "Bin Laden." Ironically, specimen and Spielgeld (play money) versions of this note are now among the more collectible items in the series precisely because the genuine article is being withdrawn from circulation.
Spielgeld pieces were produced for training and retail display purposes and are legally overprinted or otherwise marked to prevent passing as genuine. The 2002 physical launch of euro banknotes made 2001-dated production pieces particularly early in the series timeline.