500 mils 1939

Common. While this is a historically significant note from the Palestine Currency Board period, the 500 mils denomination from the 1939 issue (P-6c) remains common in the collector market. eBay auction data shows consistent sales activity with Fair-graded examples selling in the $290-$410 range (2012-2021), and the 2016 catalogue value for F grade is $600, indicating solid collector demand but regular availability. Print runs for Palestine Currency Board notes were substantial, and this denomination and date were not recalled or produced in limited quantities. The tri-lingual design appeals to collectors of Middle Eastern numismatics and British Mandate currency, supporting steady market turnover.

Issued by the Palestine Currency Board under British Mandate authority, this 1939 note reflects the complex trilingual administration of the Palestine territory. The depicted landmarks—Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem and the Citadel of Jerusalem (Tower of David)—were chosen to represent sacred and historically significant sites meaningful to the region's Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities. The April 20, 1939 date places this note during the late Mandate period, just before World War II.

The obverse features Rachel's Tomb, a domed religious structure with an arched entrance, depicted as an architectural vignette on the left side of the note. This is accompanied by an ornate circular medallion on the right side with a radiating ornamental pattern. The reverse displays the Citadel of Jerusalem (commonly called the Tower of David), shown as a fortified tower structure with crenellations and stone masonry, set within a circular decorative frame at the center. Both sides are surrounded by intricate geometric and floral corner medallions and decorative borders. The design reflects the high-quality engraving standards of Thomas de la Rue & Company, with fine line work throughout the ornamental elements.

FRONT: 'PALESTINE CURRENCY BOARD' (English); 'FIVE HUNDRED MILS' (English); 'CURRENCY NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' (English); 'JERUSALEM' (English); '20th April, 1939' (English); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (English printer attribution); 'MEMBERS OF THE PALESTINE CURRENCY BOARD' (English); Serial number 'E 291827' (English); 'חמשמאות מיל' (Hebrew: Five Hundred Mils); Arabic text present but partially unclear in visual analysis. BACK: 'FIVE HUNDRED MILS' (English); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (English); Arabic text on left and right sides (content not fully legible from visual analysis).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving), executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London. The visual evidence of intricate engraved patterns, fine line work in decorative elements, and detailed architectural vignettes are characteristic of the intaglio process, which was the standard security printing method for banknotes during this period. The multiple serial number placements and security engraving details throughout the border further confirm this technique.

Serial number prefix 'E' with serial number E 291827. The specific date of issue is 20th April, 1939, which falls within the standard 1939 issue window for Pick P-6c. No overprints or surcharges are observed. This represents a standard issue example of the 500 mils denomination from the final years of the Palestine Currency Board's operation before the post-1945 issues.