500 Rupees IND Banknote (Mahatma Gandhi Series (1996–2016)) 2011-2016

500 Rupees Rupee (Issued 2011-2016)

The 500 Rupee note of the Mahatma Gandhi Series was withdrawn from legal tender status in India on 8th November 2016, when the Government of India announced a sudden demonetisation of all 500 and 1000 Rupee banknotes then in circulation. The decision, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was aimed at tackling counterfeit currency, black money, and corruption. Holders were given a limited window to deposit or exchange their notes at designated banks, after which the notes ceased to be valid for transactions. This abrupt withdrawal affected hundreds of millions of people across India and rendered vast quantities of these notes instantly obsolete.

On the front, the note is presented in warm tones of olive green, gold, and brown, with intricate guilloché patterning framing the central design. Dominating the right-hand side is a finely engraved portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, depicted in his characteristic style with round wire-framed spectacles and a calm, composed expression. To the lower right of the portrait sits a small circular emblem. The large numeral “500” appears prominently in the centre of the note in bold typography, printed in a shifting security ink that changes colour when viewed at different angles. Immediately below this numeral, denomination text in Devanagari script reads the equivalent of “Five Hundred Rupees” in Hindi. The name “MAHATMA GANDHI” is printed in small lettering beneath the portrait. At the top of the note, the issuing authority name appears in both Devanagari script and in Latin characters as “RESERVE BANK OF INDIA”, with the phrase “GUARANTEED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT” appearing beneath in English. The Rupee symbol “Rs.500” appears in the upper right corner in red. A vertical security thread is embedded within the paper, visible as a dark stripe running through the note. The promise text reads “I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED RUPEES”, and a signature of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India appears above the word “GOVERNOR” in the lower centre. The serial number “3KN 417962” appears twice, once in the upper right and once in the lower left, in black ink. To the left of centre, the Ashoka Pillar emblem of India is printed in intaglio. A panel of ascending numeral denomination markers runs along the left edge, and fine geometric border patterning frames all four sides.

The reverse of the note is rendered in similar warm golden-brown and olive tones, with the denomination numeral “500” displayed prominently in both the upper left and upper right corners, accompanied by the Rupee symbol. The central and dominant design element is a large, detailed depiction of the Dandi March, also known as the Salt March of 1930, showing Mahatma Gandhi leading a column of followers across the scene. Gandhi is shown at the left of the procession, holding a walking staff, with a group of men and women following behind him in a resolute formation. The scene is rendered in a sepia engraving style and occupies the majority of the note’s horizontal space. Text in Devanagari script appears along the left margin. The words “FIVE HUNDRED RUPEES” are printed in English along the lower right portion of the note, while the equivalent denomination in Devanagari script appears to the lower left. The year of printing “2014” is visible at the bottom centre. A decorative floral and geometric border in a lighter tone frames the entire reverse. A blank watermark window appears on the right side, and a column of denomination numerals in ascending script languages runs along the far left edge, representing India’s many official languages as required by Reserve Bank of India printing standards.

If you hold one of these withdrawn 500 Rupee banknotes from the Mahatma Gandhi Series, it can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com alongside other old or demonetised Indian currency notes in a single straightforward transaction. Webuyallcurrency.com provides a simple and reliable service for people across the UK looking to exchange withdrawn Indian Rupee banknotes without the need for a bank visit or travel abroad.

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

Wondering who buys foreign coins and banknotes? Webuyallcurrency.com does — bring your Indian Rupees banknotes together with any other old or withdrawn currency and exchange it all for cash in one place.