1976 Italy 500 Lire – Mercury & Pegasus Allegory

Pick# 95 | Printed by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato

Issued in 1976 by the Italian Ministry of the Treasury, this 500 Lire banknote captures the spirit of innovation and classical heritage. Featuring Mercury—the Roman god of commerce—on the obverse and the mythic figure Bellerophon riding Pegasus on the reverse, it’s a striking blend of allegory and mechanical symbolism.

This note belongs to the “Biglietto di Stato a Corso Legale” series, a legal tender issued directly by the state rather than the central bank, underscoring its unique place in Italy’s monetary history.


Design Highlights

Obverse:

Stylized portrait of Mercury facing left
Mechanical gear motifs symbolizing industry and progress
Text: Repubblica Italiana – Cinquecento Lire
Signatures: Ventriglia / Impallomeni / Signoretti

Reverse:

Bellerophon holding a torch, riding Pegasus—a winged horse rendered with mechanical elements
Star motifs and dynamic background design

Text: 500 Lire – Cinquecento

Watermark:
Emblem of Italy: five-pointed star in a wreath


Specifications
Attribute Details
Country Italy
Year 1976
Denomination 500 Lire
Issuer Ministry of the Treasury (Ministero del Tesoro)
Printer Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Designer Egidio Vangelli
Size 115 × 58 mm
Material Paper
Pick Number P# 95
Watermark Emblem of Italy
Status Demonetized (28 February 1986)


Why Add This Note to Your Collection?

This 1976 Italy 500 Lire note is ideal for:

Collectors of mythological and allegorical themes
Fans of Italian pre-Euro currency with artistic flair
Enthusiasts of mechanical symbolism in banknote design
Curators of state-issued legal tender outside central banks

With its vivid imagery and symbolic depth, this note offers a compelling snapshot of Italy’s cultural and economic narrative in the mid-1970s.