500 escudos 1979

Common. The 500 Escudos denomination from 1979 (Pick P-177) was issued in substantial quantities by Banco de Portugal and remains widely available in the collector market. The uncirculated condition noted here is also not uncommon for this issue, as many examples were preserved in banks and collections. No evidence of a limited print run, recall, or exceptional scarcity applies to this note variety.

Issued during Portugal's post-revolutionary stabilization period (following the 1974 Carnation Revolution), this 1979 banknote commemorates Francisco Sanches (1551-1623), a Braga-born philosopher who became a influential Renaissance intellectual, representing Portugal's cultural and intellectual heritage during a time of national renewal. The reverse's depiction of 17th-century Braga honors the city's historical significance as an ecclesiastical and cultural center, while the architectural map on the obverse emphasizes the connection between Sanches and his native city's urban landscape.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Francisco Sanches (1551-1623), the renowned Portuguese humanist philosopher, depicted as a bearded man in authentic 16th-17th century dress with an elaborate white ruffled collar characteristic of the Renaissance period. Behind the portrait is an architectural map or street plan of Braga, integrating the city's historical geography with the honoree. The reverse presents a detailed engraved scene of Braga during the 17th century, showcasing the city's civic plaza with multiple period buildings, architectural structures including a domed church or civic building, various human figures in period dress, and a central monument or statue, all rendered in meticulous engraving style. Both sides employ decorative oval security features with blue and yellow interlocking geometric patterns as watermark indicators, with denomination numerals '500' presented in ornate oval frames at opposite corners of each side. The coat of arms and bank emblem appear in the top margins of the obverse.

FRONT SIDE: 'Banco de Portugal' (Bank of Portugal); 'QUINHENTOS ESCUDOS' (Five Hundred Escudos); 'FRANCISCO SANCHES' (Francisco Sanches - the honored historical figure); 'LISBOA, 4 DE OUTUBRO DE 1979' (Lisbon, October 4, 1979 - the official issue date); 'GOVERNADOR' (Governor - title of signatory); 'ADMINISTRADOR' (Administrator - title of signatory); 'OURO' (Gold - likely a reference to denomination or security designation); Serial number 'UK 48885'. BACK SIDE: 'Banco de Portugal' (Bank of Portugal); 'QUINHENTOS ESCUDOS' (Five Hundred Escudos); 'BRAGA-SÉC XVII' (Braga-17th Century - identifying the historical cityscape depicted).

Intaglio engraving (also known as rotogravure or steel engraving) for the primary design elements, as evidenced by the fine line work, sharp detail in the portrait rendering, and the meticulous cityscape engraving on the reverse. The ornate oval security frames and decorative borders show characteristic engraved line patterns. Multi-color offset lithography is evident in the application of the pink/rose base color and the blue and yellow accent colors in the security features. The combination of engraved portraiture with lithographic color work was typical of Banco de Portugal issues during this period.

Pick catalog number P-177(8) indicates this is the eighth variety or state of the 500 Escudos note from the 1979 issue. Varieties for Portuguese banknotes of this era are typically distinguished by signature combinations (Governor and Administrator signatures vary), serial number prefixes (noted here as 'UK 48885'), and minor printing characteristics. The serial number prefix 'UK' and the specific number sequence '48885' would be relevant to collectors tracking different print batches or signature varieties. Confirmation of exact signatory identities would require comparison with reference catalogs documenting signature changes across the note's circulation period.