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 ZĪME (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 Lielvārde 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 ZĪME (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.