500 dong 1955
About This Note
This 500 Dong note from 1955 issued by the National Bank of Vietnam presents a striking design featuring a multi-tiered pagoda tower on the obverse and phoenix/eagle emblems on a coral-pink reverse. The note exhibits the typical wear of historical circulation—discoloration, light creasing, and spotting—consistent with a Fair grade assessment, yet the fine engraved details remain legible and the serial number in red ink is clearly visible.
Common. This is a standard circulating denomination from a major issuing authority with no evidence of limited print run, early recall, or short-lived status. The Pick catalog designation (P-10) and straightforward design suggest mainstream production for daily commerce during 1955. Notes in Fair condition are particularly common in the secondary market.
Issued during the early years of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North) and the Republic of Vietnam (South), this 1955 note reflects the nation's post-colonial monetary independence and cultural identity. The pagoda imagery on the obverse represents Vietnamese architectural heritage and Buddhist tradition, while the phoenix symbols on the reverse evoke classical Vietnamese iconography and national pride during a period of political division and nation-building.
The obverse features a centrally-positioned multi-tiered pagoda tower—likely representing a significant Vietnamese Buddhist temple—rendered in blue-grey tones with intricate architectural detail. Ornamental corner medallions containing the denomination numeral 500 frame the design, while decorative scrollwork and geometric patterns create an elaborate border. The reverse displays a predominantly coral/salmon-pink color scheme dominated by a large circular frame containing the numeral 500, with phoenix or eagle emblems positioned in the upper corners and fine parallel line engraving creating subtle background texture. The denomination is spelled out in Vietnamese characters on both sides.
Front: 'NGÂN-HÀNG QUỐC-GIA VIỆT-NAM' (National Bank of Vietnam), 'NAM TRAM DONG' (Five Hundred Dong), 'TỔNG KIỂM-TRA' (Chief Inspector), 'THỦ-QUỸ TRUNG-ƯƠNG' (Central Treasury), serial number 'C619119'. Back: 'VIỆT-NAM' (Vietnam), 'NAM TRĂM ĐỒNG' (Five Hundred Dong), and counterfeit warning: 'HÌNH LUẬT PHÁT KHỔ-SÁI NHỮNG KỂ NÀO LÀM GIẢ MẠO GIẤY BẠC DO NGÂN-HÀNG QUỐC-GIA VIỆT-NAM PHÁT RA' (It is illegal to counterfeit banknotes issued by the National Bank of Vietnam).
Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate decorative patterns, and crisp detail visible on both obverse and reverse despite age-related wear. The ornamental borders, medallions, and background texture patterns are characteristic of traditional steel-plate engraving. The red serial number suggests overprinting in a second pass, a common security practice of the era.
Serial number C619119 indicates a note from the standard production run. No overprints, date variants, or signature variations are evident from the visual analysis. The note corresponds to the standard P-10 issue without the distinguishing features that would mark it as P-10A or other documented varieties.
