Kenya 500 Shillings (2019 Tourism)

Description

The shilling is the official currency in Kenya since 1966, when it replaced the East African shilling. The official currency symbol is KSh. The Central Bank of Kenya introduced the first notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 shillings. Between 1985 and 1998, the 5, 10 and 20 shillings notes were replaced by coins. The 200 shillings coins were issued in 1986, followed by the 500 shillings in 1988 and 1000 shillings in 1994. In 2019, the Central Bank of Kenya issued a new banknote series representing the richness of the Kenyan people and the nature of Kenya with the Big Fives Animals of Africa.

The 500 Kenyan shillings note front design features the Jomo Kenyatta statue in Nairobi (Kenya’s Capital), who was the first President of Kenya Between 1964 and 1978. In the background displays the Kenyatta International Convention Center with a view of the city of Nairobi, the National Coat of Arms, and the denomination with one of the Big Fives Animals of Africa, the lion. The reverse note side illustrates the “Tourism” represented by a lion’s head, a couple of giraffes, a herd of elephants, all of them on an African scenery background. A peace dove and the denomination complete the design. This note is part of the 2019 series, and its color is green and multicolor underprint.

Text: Banki Kuu ya Kenya, Central Bank of Kenya, Harambee, Legal Tender for Five Hundred Shillings, Shilingi Mia Tano, For the Board of Directors, Governor – Member, Cereal – Tourism – Utalii, Wildlife – Wanyama Wa Pori, Lion – Simba, Five Hundred Shillings Shilingi Mia Tano, 2019, 500.