500 Peso Ferdinand Marcos Banknote (Unissued)

1985 Unissued Marcos 500 Piso

photo from pinoynotes.hostoi.com

Front: Ferdinand E. Marcos, Republika ng Pilipinas

Back: San Juanico Bridge, Angat Dam, Batasan Complex, Limandaang Piso

This banknote was supposed to be issued along with the rest of the New Design Series in 1985. However due to political circumstances, this design was never released into circulation. The banknote's designer Romi MananQuil narrates the story in his website:

The 500-peso Marcos bill was slated for production in late 1985. However, when a snap election was scheduled. The circulation of the newly printed bills was put on hold in deference to the law against electioneering as Marcos, whose image appeared on the new bank note was the incumbent running against Corazon Aquino. My 500-peso Marcos bill was never circulated and with the events that proceeded: the snap elections, the disputed victory of Marcos, the success of People’s Power in February 1986 and the instatement of Aquino as President, it perhaps seemed fitting that any vestiges of the overthrown government were thrown off. President Corazon Aquino soon ordered the redesign of the bill to honour her husband, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino whose 1983 slaying became the catalyst for change and the new democracy’s rallying cry for the overthrow of Marcos. Though I was once again tasked with the redesign of the bill, my family’s move to Canda prevented me from taking on the assignment. 

The Color of Money & The History of the Philippine Piso

 
The Color of Money

The color of money runs deeper than the obvious. With one look our money is green or red, violent, orange, yellow, or blue. As we look closer it changes into many different shades as painted by the countless stories it has become a part of. Our history, heroes, values, our daily life, the pursuit of happiness, and dreams fulfilled. Indeed the color of our money is the story - the pulse of our people. And as we evolve as a people, so does the color of our money.

The History of the Philippine Peso

The Filipinos first used paper currency in the mid 19th century while under Spanish rule.
With the establishment of the Central Bank of the Philippines in 1949, great Filipinos appeared for the first time on our banknotes, the English Series.

As our country progressed, our money continued its transformation. This time, it highlighted design elements that affirmed our independence.

In the 1960's, the english words on the notes were translated into the national language. Called the Pilipino series, the banknotes featured key events and places in our history.

In the 1970's, to echo the government's new society program, the phrase "Ang Bagong Lipunan" was stamped on the new bills. Our banknotes began to be printed in the newly built Security Plant Complex of the Central Bank.

The New Design Series was launched after the People Power REvolution in 1986. This included the 500-Piso banknote with the image of Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and the 1000-piso which featured three Filipino wartime heroes.

When the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was created in 1993 as the country's central monetary authority, its new logo was incorporated in all the banknote denominations.

By the new millenium, the security features of the banknotes have been enhanced and the type of banknote paper upgraded with a shift from cotton linen to cotton with Philippine Abaca.