500 Cfp Francs Banknote (Polynesian Fisherman)

500 Francs Franc (Issued 1970-1985)

The 500 Francs note from the Institut d’Émission d’Outre-Mer represents the higher denomination within the French Pacific banknote series circulated throughout Tahiti and the overseas territories during the 1970s and 1980s. This denomination was designed to facilitate substantial transactions whilst maintaining visual and security continuity with lower-value notes in the same family. The elaborate engraving and dual-language presentation reflect France’s colonial currency governance in the Pacific region. Among the denominations issued during this extended period, the 500 Francs note distinguished itself through particularly detailed portraiture and extensive decorative elements celebrating Pacific island culture.

On the front, a male portrait dominates the right side of the composition, rendered in fine engraving with careful attention to facial detail and expression. The left portion features an ornate circular vignette containing a sailing vessel, rendered in pale tones against a cream coloured field. Between these primary elements sits a mountainous landscape scene with distinctive jagged peaks typical of Polynesian geography. The upper margin displays Institut d’Émission d’Outre-Mer in capital letters, with the denomination 500 printed in each corner in dark green-grey. The central text reads République Française in dark print, with Cinq Cents Francs appearing in the lower border area. A serial number sequence appears horizontally across the note, with additional numerical identifiers positioned at lower left and right. The background incorporates decorative guilloché patterning in pale green and cream tones, whilst floral and botanical motifs frame the design. The overall colour palette consists of greens, creams, and grey-browns, creating a sophisticated yet naturalistic appearance appropriate to the Pacific setting.

The reverse presents a profile portrait of a man on the left side, executed in black and blue-grey intaglio engraving that emphasises strong facial structure. The word Papeete appears centrally in capital letters, identifying the capital of Tahiti. A significant landscape feature dominates the centre-right, showing towering rocky formations rising from vegetation. Decorative carved tiki figures appear as ornamental elements flanking the central landscape, rendered in characteristic stylised forms. The Institut d’Émission d’Outre-Mer header appears across the top, with the denomination 500 displayed in the upper corners. Extensive French text occupies the lower portion, providing constitutional and issuing authority information in small, precisely rendered typography. The left side incorporates fine-line pattern work in pale blue, creating visual balance with the portraiture. The overall composition uses predominantly blue-grey and black tones against a pale cream field, with subtle watermark areas visible in the note’s centre.

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to exchange old coins and banknotes — a 500 Francs banknote from French Polynesia is accepted with other old or withdrawn CFP francs French Polynesia banknotes and converted into cash in one go.

• Indicate the quantity of 500 Francs Franc banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com brings all your foreign currency together: exchange or sell CFP francs French Polynesia banknotes and other old, withdrawn or modern coins and notes for cash, with no specialist knowledge needed.

Other CFP francs French Polynesia you can exchange: 1000, 5000, 10000.