A Rare Half-Pound Treasure of the British Mandate

Complete your Holy Land collection with this authentic 1939 Five Hundred Mils note. Issued by the Palestine Currency Board, this denomination is a favorite among specialists for its distinct purple color palette and its unique architectural focus. Like the higher denominations of the Series C, it features the trilingual text (English, Arabic, and Hebrew) that defined the region's administration during the Mandate period.

Historic & Design Highlights:

• Obverse (Front): Features a detailed engraving of Rachel's Tomb (Qubbat Rakhil) on the outskirts of Bethlehem. The tomb is a site of deep religious significance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, making it a powerful symbol of the region's shared heritage.

• Reverse (Back): Showcases the Tower of David (the Citadel) in Jerusalem, a recurring motif in Palestine Mandate currency, surrounded by intricate violet-purple guilloche work.

• Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited, London.

• Watermark: Features the Olive Sprig, synonymous with the region's agricultural roots.

Item Details:

• Issuer: Palestine Currency Board.

• Denomination: Five Hundred Mils (1/2 Palestine Pound).

• Date: 20th April 1939.

• Pick Number: P-6c.

• Serial Number: F 622682.

• Grading: PMG 30 Very Fine.

• Condition Note: PMG has noted "Ink, Minor Discoloration" on the reverse of the holder. These are common for 500 Mils notes, which circulated more frequently than higher denominations and often bear teller marks or the effects of decades of careful storage.

Collector's Perspective: The 500 Mils note is often the "missing piece" for collectors who have secured the £1 and £5 notes. Because it was a workhorse denomination, uncirculated examples are virtually non-existent, and even Very Fine examples like this are highly sought after. The 1939 date is particularly poignant, issued just as the world—and the Mandate—approached a historic turning point.

You will receive what you see in the photos