500 Escudos POR Banknote (Mid-20th Century Escudo Notes) 1987-1994

500 Escudos Reis / Escudo (Issued 1987-1994)

A 500 Escudos banknote from this period would have passed through the hands of Portuguese shopkeepers, travellers, and everyday citizens during the final years before the country’s transition to the Euro. These notes circulated actively in Portugal throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, used for everyday transactions from market purchases to railway tickets. The journey of each individual note represents the economic life of Portugal during a transformative decade, moving between wallets, tills, and bank counters across the nation.

On the front, the banknote displays the Banco de Portugal name prominently positioned across the upper left portion in a serif typeface. The denomination appears twice in substantial numerals—500—rendered in a deep purple-brown shade that dominates the lower left and right corners of the note. The text “QUINHENTOS ESCUDOS” (five hundred escudos) and “ch 12” are clearly visible beneath the main denomination on the left side. A portrait of a bearded gentleman occupies the right-centre area, rendered in fine engraving with careful attention to the individual hair strands and facial features. The background features an intricate geometric pattern of repeating diagonal lines and circular guilloché work in warm terracotta and ochre tones, providing sophisticated security patterning across the entire field. A security strip runs vertically through the design. Serial numbers appear in the upper right corner, reading “ABD 080223” and repeated at the lower left as “ABD 080223”. Small issuing signatures are present along the lower central area. The overall colour palette comprises warm peach, cream, and rust tones blended with burgundy accents.

The reverse presents a detailed botanical composition featuring flowering plants with prominent blooms and layered petals rendered in rich burgundy and brown tones. The denomination 500 appears twice more—once at the upper left and once at the upper right—in matching deep purple-brown colouration. The text “BANCO DE PORTUGAL” is positioned in the upper right section, whilst “QUINHENTOS ESCUDOS” and “500” appear in the lower right area. The background incorporates the same geometric guilloché patterning visible on the front, though here it transitions through cream, pale yellow, and subtle pink-purple hues. The floral elements are rendered with precise engraving, showing individual stamens, leaf veins, and botanical detail. The paper exhibits a subtle watermark effect throughout, characteristic of period Portuguese currency production.

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to exchange old coins and banknotes — a 500 Escudos banknote from Portugal is accepted with other old or withdrawn Portuguese Escudos banknotes and converted into cash in one go.

• Indicate the quantity of 500 Escudos Reis / Escudo banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

If you have leftover currency to exchange, Webuyallcurrency.com accepts Portuguese Escudos banknotes and a wide range of other foreign coins and notes, paying out for the lot in a single straightforward transaction.