500 lei 1940

Common. The extensive eBay sales data spanning from 2010 to 2025 demonstrates consistent market availability, with regular sales across all condition grades (F through UNC) at modest prices ranging from under $1 to $140+ for premium graded examples. The 2016 catalog values ($20 UNC) and recent sales of UNC examples at $10-23 indicate this is a widely available note with significant surviving populations. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or scarcity issues. The presence of multiple signature varieties (noted as P-51a and P-51s) further suggests substantial production quantities.

This note was issued during a pivotal moment in Romanian history, dated November 19, 1940, just as Romania was being drawn into World War II and experiencing significant territorial losses and political upheaval. The iconography reflects pre-war Romanian national identity: the classical female figure symbolizing the nation's aspirations toward justice and order, while the castle landscape (Peleș Castle in Sinaia) represents Romania's cultural heritage and connection to European civilization during a period when such symbols held particular importance.

The obverse features an ornate neoclassical design centered on an allegorical female figure representing Justice or Liberty, depicted holding scales and a sword, positioned on the left side in classical engraved style. The Romanian state coat of arms—an eagle crowned with the national shield—dominates the center of the note, flanked by geometric guilloche patterns and decorative borders. The reverse presents a detailed landscape engraving of Peleș Castle (Sinaia), the iconic royal residence nestled in a mountainous, forested Alpine setting with evergreen trees, rendered to evoke romantic nationalism. The castle's distinctive white stone walls and multiple spires are clearly depicted against the landscape. Both sides employ consistent geometric border treatments and fine-line engraving characteristic of high-security currency production of the era.

Front: 'BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI' (National Bank of Romania) / 'AICI SUTE LEI' (Five Hundred Lei) / '19-XI-1-40' (Date: November 19, 1940) / 'GUVERNATOR' (Governor) / 'CASIER CENTRAL' (Central Cashier) / 'S/4 0614966' (Serial number) / '500' (Denomination). Back: 'ROMANIA' (Romania) / '500' (Denomination) / 'E. GASPÉ SC.' (Engraver: E. Gaspé) / Anti-counterfeiting warning text (fragmented in observation): regarding penalties for counterfeiting banknotes and legal consequences.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) on multicolor underprint. The note demonstrates the sophisticated multi-stage printing process typical of 1940s Banca Nationala a Romaniei currency production, with fine guilloche work, complex geometric border patterns, and detailed landscape engraving indicative of European security printers of the interwar period. The artist signature 'E. Gaspé' indicates professional engraver work, likely produced by established Romanian or Western European security printing facilities.

The note exhibits characteristics consistent with Pick P-51, with two documented signature varieties cataloged as P-51a and P-51s. Based on the visual analysis, this example displays the standard design parameters for the 1940-1943 issue period. The serial number format 'S/4 0614966' and the specific date of 19-XI-1-40 (November 19, 1940) place this in the early issue period. No overprints or special variants are evident in the observed images. Collectors should note that this denomination was issued across multiple dates (10.11.1940 - 26.01.1943), potentially creating subtle variety opportunities in date combinations and signature pairings.