Bank of Latvia's description of 500 Lats bank note (SH2)

500 lats (Ls 500 in short)

A profile of a Latvian folk maid wearing a traditional head-dress.
 
Measurements: 130 x 65 mm.
 

Colour: golden.
 
Obverse
 

The profile of a Latvian folk-maid and a stylised oak-leaf (a see-through register) are superimposed on a motif of the ornaments of a bronze head-dress. On the banknote of 2008, there is a vertical translucent band to the left of the portrait, which covers the see-through register and transparent window above it, with the latter featuring three stars in a semicircle on a light background and the lettering "Ls" in four displaced lines on a dark background. Across the top of the banknote, there is the two-colour inscription LATVIJAS BANKAS NAUDAS ZIME (banknote of the Bank of Latvia), with the serial number of the banknote inscribed in red underneath. Across the bottom of the banknote, there are the inscriptions PIECSIMT LATU (five hundred lats) in the colour changing optical effect print, LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia), facsimile signature of the Governor of the Bank of Latvia, and serial number of the banknote in black print. On the right side of the banknote, there is a vertical ornamental band composed of the motif of Lielvarde belt and topped by the numeral 500. When the banknote is tilted to the light, the nominal value is visible on the band. In the upper left part of the banknote, there are three golden-brown relief dots (Braille) arranged vertically on a white background, the serial number in red print to the left of them on the banknote printed in 2008, and a watermark. Beneath the watermark, the numeral 500 in microlettering is superimposed on a horizontal band with blending colours. On the banknote of 2008, the horizontal band of numerals 500 is in greyish brown print and there is the numeral 500 in a larger and darker greyish brown print, which changes the colour when the banknote is tilted and acquires a different shade under the impact of heat.

Reverse
 

It depicts a motif of the ornaments of a bronze head-dress. A vertical metallic band (on the 500-lats banknote of 2008, a broader holographic clear text window thread with the lettering of the nominal value) is worked into the paper to the left of the centre of the banknote, and a stylised oak-leaf (a see-through register) is to the right. Across the top of the banknote, there is the inscription PIECSIMT LATU (five hundred lats) and numeral 500. The numeral 500 and two-colour inscription LATVIJAS BANKAS NAUDAS ZIME (banknote of the Bank of Latvia) are at the bottom of the banknote. A vertical band of numerals 500 with diagonal stripes that blend into one another is to the left of the ornamental motif. Along the edge of the band, there is the inscription © LATVIJAS BANKA 1992 (© Bank of Latvia 1992) on a white background. The large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia, with the year 1992 or 2008 inscribed underneath, is depicted on a white background in the lower right corner of the banknote. Above the coat of arms, the paper is watermarked.

Watermark
 

The profile of a Latvian folk-maid.