Mozambique 500 Meticais Samora Moisés Machel 2024 Pick 159 UNC Banknote
The Mozambique 500 Meticais 2024 Pick 159 banknote was issued by the Banco de Moçambique on 16 June 2024 as part of the country’s new 2024 Series. Printed on high-security paper, it combines advanced anti-counterfeiting technology with a tribute to Samora Moisés Machel, the first President of independent Mozambique.
Presented in UNC (Uncirculated) condition, this attractive banknote is one of Mozambique’s newest high-denomination circulating issues and an essential addition to collections of modern African currency.
Historical Background
The 2024 Series commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Banco de Moçambique and the 45th anniversary of the Metical. While the lower denominations are printed on polymer, the 200, 500 and 1,000 Meticais are produced on paper substrate. The 500 Meticais denomination celebrates Mozambique’s strong connection to the Indian Ocean, highlighting the importance of traditional fishing and maritime culture to the country’s economy and history.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Mozambique
- Denomination: 500 Meticais
- Year: 2024
- Issue Date: 16 June 2024
- Pick Number: P-159
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Banco de Moçambique
- Currency: Mozambican Metical (MZN)
- Material: Paper
- Dimensions: 153 × 65 mm
- Series: 2024 Series
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Portrait of Samora Moisés Machel
- Banco de Moçambique logo
- Purple SPARK® sailboats security feature
- Tree motif
- Fish registration device
- Denomination numerals
- Serial numbers
Samora Moisés Machel (1933–1986) became the first President of independent Mozambique in 1975 and remains one of the country’s most important national figures. His portrait appears on every denomination of the 2024 banknote series.
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Traditional Mozambican fishing boats (dhows)
- Stylised human figures
- Outline map of Mozambique
- Decorative security elements
- Large denomination numerals
The traditional dhows have been used for centuries along Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coastline, reflecting the country’s long maritime tradition, coastal trade and fishing communities that continue to play an important role in the national economy.
Security Features
- Watermark of Samora Moisés Machel
- Electrotype 500
- Windowed security thread with BM 500
- Purple SPARK® sailboats colour-changing feature
- Raised intaglio printing
- Fine guilloche patterns
- Microprinting
- Security features for visually impaired users
- Serial numbering
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Mozambique 500 Meticais 2024 Pick 159 UNC banknote combines elegant maritime artwork with advanced security technology. Featuring traditional sailing boats and the portrait of Samora Moisés Machel, it is one of the most distinctive contemporary African banknotes.
Perfect for:
- Mozambique banknote collections
- African currency collections
- Maritime-themed banknotes
- Fishing and sailing collections
- Modern world paper money
- UNC banknote collections
Collector’s Note
The Pick 159 is the first 500 Meticais issued in Mozambique’s 2024 Series, replacing the previous design from the 2006 family. Together with the 200 Meticais (lions) and 1,000 Meticais (elephants), it forms the trio of high-denomination paper banknotes introduced in 2024. Its depiction of traditional Mozambican dhows makes it unique within the series and highlights the country’s centuries-old maritime heritage.
