Discover the rich archaeological heritage of North Macedonia with this rare Specimen edition of the 1996 500 Denari banknote. This note is part of the first permanent series issued by the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia following its independence.

As a Specimen, the note features the red "SPECIMEN" (ПРИМЕРОК) overprint and all-zero serial numbers (ГА 0000000), signifying its status as a non-circulating archive piece.

Design Elements:

• Obverse (Front): Features a striking Golden Death Mask dating from the 6th century BC, discovered in the necropolis of Trebeništa near Ohrid. The background is adorned with intricate geometric patterns and a gold foil patch.

• Reverse (Back): Showcases a beautiful violet Poppy flower (Papaveraceae), a plant with deep historical ties to the Macedonian region since the 19th century.

• Security & Material: High-quality paper with a watermark of the Golden Death Mask, a windowed security thread with micro-text, and iridescent dots that shift under light.

Collector’s Information:

• Year of Issue: 1996 (Dated September 8, 1996)

• Pick Number: Pick #17s (Specimen)

• Condition: Gem Uncirculated (UNC) — Pristine paper with zero handling marks or folds.

• Serial Number: ГА 0000000 (Specimen Standard)

• Dimensions: 149 × 70 mm