Issued by the Banque Centrale de la République de Guinée in 1980, this 500 Sylis banknote belongs to the later issues of the Syli currency, which circulated in Guinea between 1971 and 1985 before being replaced by the Guinean Franc.
The obverse features a portrait of Ahmed Sékou Touré, Guinea’s first president, surrounded by elaborate guilloche designs, denomination numerals, and anti-counterfeiting elements.
The reverse depicts an industrial scene symbolizing economic progress, reflecting the government’s emphasis on modernization and national development during that era.
Obverse
Josip Broz Tito (7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980)
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BANQUE CENTRALE DE LA REPUBLIQUE DE GUINEE
“N° de série”
CINQ CENTS SYLIS
le 1er MARS 1960
“N° de série”
MINISTRE DES FINANCES GOUVERNEUR BANQUE CENTRALE
TOUT CONTREFACTEUR SERA PUNI PAR LA LOI EN VIGUEUR
500 1980 500
Reverse
Palais du Peuple (Palace of the People) Conakry, Guinea
Script: Latin
Lettering:
500
CINQ CENTS SYLIS
500
Watermark
Flaming Torch and 5-pointed star (repeatedly)
© Dica35 (CC BY-NC-SA)
Comments
The banknote is a reference to the President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito and was issued remembering the historic occasion of Tito’s visit to Guinea (20.-24.03.1961) and Tito’s death in 1980. Tito had militarily assisted the left-wing liberation movements in Guinea in its decolonization Fight in the 1960’s. Because of this support he was considered a hero by the Guinean government at the time.
Features
| Issuer | Guinea |
|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea (Banque centrale de la République de Guinée) |
| Period | Republic (1958-date) |
| Type | Standard circulation banknotes |
| Year | 1980 |
| Value | 500 Sylis |
| Currency | Syli (1971-1985) |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | 172 × 94 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Demonetized | Yes |
