500 karbovantsev 1942

Common. eBay price tracking data shows regular sales of this note in Fair condition ranging from approximately $41 to $85 across multiple transactions spanning 2014-2022, with consistent market activity indicating steady availability. The 2016 catalogue value of $100 for VG and $150 for VF further confirms this is not a scarce issue. As a regular issue from a major German-backed occupation currency program with presumably substantial print runs, this Pick number remains commonly encountered by collectors.

This note represents a significant historical artifact from the brief period of German-sponsored Ukrainian autonomy during World War II. The Zentralnotenbank Ukraine was established under German occupation, and this denomination features a portrait of a chemist, reflecting the occupying authority's efforts to present a facade of legitimate economic governance while exploiting Ukrainian resources. The dual-language inscriptions in German and Ukrainian Cyrillic script underscore the complex political and cultural dynamics of the occupation period.

The obverse features a formal portrait of a chemist positioned on the right side within an ornate rectangular decorative frame. The chemist is depicted in formal white shirt and middle-aged appearance, facing slightly left. The background employs an intricate geometric and floral pattern typical of high-security currency design of the period. Large denomination numerals '500' appear in both upper corners. The reverse side displays the denomination '500' prominently within an ornate central frame, surrounded by elaborate geometric and textual patterns filling the entire background. Both sides incorporate anti-counterfeiting warnings in dual languages, reflecting the issuing authority's attempt to maintain currency security standards despite the wartime context.

FRONT: '500' (Five hundred), 'FÜNFHUNDERT' (German: Five hundred), 'KARBOWANEZ' (Karbovanets—Ukrainian currency unit), 'Ausgegebén auf Grund der Verordnung vom 5. März 1942' (German: Issued pursuant to the order of March 5, 1942), 'ROWNO, den 10. März 1942' (German: Rivne, March 10, 1942), 'ZENTRALNOTENBANK UKRAINE' (German: Central Bank of Ukraine), Serial number '5·005841'. BACK: '500' (Five hundred), 'ZENTRALNOTENBANK UKRAINE' (German: Central Bank of Ukraine), 'FÜNFHUNDERT KARBOWANEZ' (German: Five hundred karbovanets), 'GELDFÄLSCHUNG WIRD MIT ZUCHTHAUS BESTRAFT' (German: Counterfeiting will be punished with penal servitude), 'ФАЛЬШУВАННЯ ГРОШЕВИХ ЗНАКІВ КАРАЄТЬСЯ ТЮРМОЮ' (Ukrainian: Counterfeiting of currency is punishable by imprisonment), 'ЦЕНТРАЛЬНИЙ ЕМІСІЙНИЙ БАНК УКРАИНА' (Ukrainian: Central Emission Bank Ukraine).

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing techniques, evidenced by the fine-line patterns, intricate geometric details, and precise portrait rendering visible throughout both sides. The deep impression, ornate decorative borders, and detailed background patterns are characteristic of professional security printing from this period. The technical quality suggests production by an established security printing facility, likely operating under German supervision during the occupation.

The observed serial number on this example is '5·005841'. No overprints or significant variations are visible in this specimen. Standard varieties for P-57 would be based on serial number prefixes and dating variations within the March 10, 1942 issuance. The PMG population report indicates a single catalogued variant for this base Pick number, suggesting limited recognized sub-varieties exist for this denomination.