Catalog
500 Thalers / Birr
| Issuer | Bank of Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1932-1933 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | At left, a full-length vignette of a traditionally robed Ethiopian warrior holding a shield and spear, with elaborate headdress; at upper centre, the imperial arms of Ethiopia with a lion passant; at right, a vignette of the Bank of Ethiopia building rendered in fine intaglio line work. The denomination "500" appears in large numerals at lower left and upper right corners, with the bank name in both Latin and Ge'ez scripts across the upper portion, date and serial number hand-inscribed in manuscript, and a cursive signature below the promise-to-pay clause. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | BANK OF ETHIOPIA የኢትዮጵያ፡ባንክ። CINQ CENTS THALERS አምስት፡መቶ፡ብር። PAYABLES SUR DEMANDE AU PORTEUR CONFORMEMENT A LA LOI እንዲሁን፡አምስልዎ፡በጠያቂው፡ሂዜ፡የሚከፈሉ። POUR BANK OF ETHIOPIA በሉ፡ኢትዮጵያ፡ባንክ። ADDIS ABABA (Translation: Bank of Ethiopia Five Hundred Thalers / Birr. Payable on demand to the bearer in accordance with the law. For the Bank of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa.) |
| Reverse description | The reverse is dominated by a large, intricate guilloche underprint in blue and lilac tones forming the central ornamental panel. At upper centre, the imperial lion passant vignette is repeated, flanked by radiating sunburst patterns. The four corners carry the numeral "500" in bold, with Ge'ez numerals "፭፻" also present. Decorative borders composed of interlocking geometric and floral motifs frame the entire design, with the bank name in Ge'ez script across the upper register. |
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