Issued by the Bank of Zaire in 1989, this 500 Zaires banknote reflects the increasing inflation and economic strain experienced by Zaire in the late 1980s, shortly before the collapse of the Zairean monetary system.
The obverse features a portrait of Mobutu Sese Seko, President of Zaire, wearing his iconic leopard-skin cap, accompanied by large denomination numerals, French inscriptions, and intricate guilloche patterns.
The reverse depicts symbolic national and economic motifs, commonly associated with industry, agriculture, or state development, framed by ornamental decorative elements.
Issuer: Bank of Zaire
Denomination: 500 Zaires
Year: 1989
Material: Paper
Security features: Watermark, security thread, guilloche patterns
