500 Birr / Thalers (አምስት፡መቶ፡ብር), Bank of Abyssinia, Ethiopian Empire, 1915–1929 (Pick 5)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1915-1929
Issuing entity
EthiopiaThis 500 Birr / Thalers note was issued in Ethiopian Empire by the Bank of Abyssinia, with dates recorded from 1915–1929. It belongs to the Birr / Thaler (1893-1931) currency system. It measures 153 × 83 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 5.
Obverse: Warrior standing at left, lion at upper centre, building at right. Its lettering reads “BANK OF ABYSSINIA / የኢትዮጵያ፡ባንክ። / CINQ CENT THALERS / አምስት፡መቶ፡ብር። / PAYABLES A ADDIS-ABABA AU PORTEUR”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Ethiopia Five Hundred Birr”. Its lettering reads “500 / የኢትዮጵያ፡ባንክ። / ፭፻”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Ethiopia 500”. The note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, United Kingdom (1856-1990). Demonetized: Yes.
Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 2
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Size
- 153 × 83 mm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Material
- Paper
Technical characteristics
- Printer
- Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, United Kingdom (1856-1990)
- Currency
- Birr / Thaler (1893-1931)
- Demonetized
- Yes
- Issuing bank
- Bank of Abyssinia
Design
- Obverse
- Warrior standing at left, lion at upper centre, building at right
- Obverse lettering
- BANK OF ABYSSINIA / የኢትዮጵያ፡ባንክ። / CINQ CENT THALERS / አምስት፡መቶ፡ብር። / PAYABLES A ADDIS-ABABA AU PORTEUR
- Reverse lettering
- 500 / የኢትዮጵያ፡ባንክ። / ፭፻
Identification
- Value
- 500 Birr / Thalers (አምስት፡መቶ፡ብር)
- Dates recorded
- 1915-1929
- Distinguishing features
- Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
- Catalogue number to match
- Pick 5
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P5
- NumistaN# 268212
Research required
- Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.