Italian 500 Lire Very Fine Banknote

Italy 500 Lire Mercurio Banknote 

This 500 Lire banknote, issued by the Ministry of Treasury of the Italian Republic, was part of standard circulation between 1974 and 1979. Known as the “Mercurio” note, it features the Roman god Mercury on the obverse and allegorical figures on the reverse.

• Country: Italy

• Issuing Authority: Ministry of Treasury

• Ruling Authority: Republic of Italy (1946–present)

• Value: 500 Lire

• Size: 114 × 57 mm

• Material: Paper

• Demonetized: 28 February 1986

• Watermark: Emblem of Italy (star in wreath)

• Printer: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Rome

• Designer: Egidio Vangelli

• Languages: Latin script

• Note: The D.M. (Ministerial Decree) date appears on the reverse. Interestingly, the three signatories printed on the 1974 issue were no longer in office by the time the notes were circulated.