500 cruzeiros 1980

Common. The eBay market data shows multiple sales with recent UNC specimens selling for $46-$77 (2014-2024), indicating steady but modest collector demand. The 2019 catalog value for UNC condition is $25, consistent with common commemorative issues. While this is a legitimate commemorative note from a significant anniversary, the relatively high circulation of specimens on the secondary market and modest pricing confirm this is a common note in the Brazilian numismatic market.

This commemorative issue celebrates Brazil's 150th Anniversary of Independence from Portugal, with the reverse depicting five pivotal stages of Brazilian history: Descobrimento (Discovery of Brazil), Colonização (Colonial period), Comércio (Commercial development), Independência (1822 Independence), and Integração (Modern national integration). The note's dual-portrait design representing Brazil's racial diversity reflects the nation's identity during the early 1980s, while the detailed historical map emphasizes Brazil's geographic and cultural significance as a unified nation.

The obverse features a male portrait in right-facing profile rendered in naturalistic green and reddish-brown engraving, representing one of Brazil's racial groups as part of the commemorative theme. The left side contains fine vertical guilloche patterns in green, while a purple security strip with white numerals occupies the center-left. The reverse displays a comprehensive map of Brazil with five distinct illustrated regions, each labeled with a historical theme: Descobrimento (Discovery) featuring indigenous and exploratory imagery, Colonização showing colonial settlement, Comércio depicting commercial activity, Independência representing the 1822 independence movement, and Integração illustrating modern national development. A compass rose and ornamental elements frame the design. The dominant color scheme alternates green, purple/lavender, orange/rust, and blue across the two sides.

FRONT: 'BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL' (Central Bank of Brazil); '500' and 'QUINHENTOS CRUZEIROS' (Five Hundred Cruzeiros); Serial numbers B02080 and 053534. BACK: '500 BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL' (500 Central Bank of Brazil); 'DESCOBRIMENTO' (Discovery); 'COLONIZAÇÃO' (Colonization); 'COMÉRCIO' (Commerce); 'INDEPENDÊNCIA' (Independence); 'INTEGRAÇÃO' (Integration); 'CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL' (Brazilian Mint); 'QUINHENTOS CRUZEIROS' (Five Hundred Cruzeiros).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) with multicolor offset printing, executed by Casa da Moeda do Brasil (Brazilian Mint). Security features include fine guilloche patterns (vertical lines) in both watermark areas, purple-tinted security strips with numerals, and sophisticated multi-color gradation effects achieved through layered offset printing. The complex historical illustrations on the reverse demonstrate advanced engraved platemaking and color registration typical of high-security currency production of the 1980s.

This specimen represents the Pick 196Ac variety with series prefix B and serial number range B02080/053534. The visual analysis confirms the 1972 watermark dates (1822-1972 commemorating the 150th Anniversary), consistent with the catalog designation. This appears to be from the standard production run; no printing varieties or errors are evident in the observed specimen. The note matches the documented characteristics: five racial group portraits on obverse, five historical maps on reverse, and Casa da Moeda do Brasil printer attribution.