For twenty seven years it has eluded the eyes of many, most wouldn’t even know its’ existence. But this month, the Pilipino numismatic community was in awe as the rare “1985 Marcos – Fernandez 500 piso bill” showed up in pinoynotes.hostoi.com, one of the most reliable site on Philippine banknotes.
This note is cited for it’s extreme rarity, due to the fact that it never reached circulation and all notes were destroyed.
Mr. Romeo MananQuil, the banknote’s designer himself, noted in his site that in the late 1985, his 500-peso Marcos bill was slated for production. 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.
After the success of People’s Power in February 1986 and the instatement of Aquino as President, she soon ordered the redesign of the 500 bill to honour her husband “Ninoy” and ordered the destruction of all of the Marcos 500 banknotes that not a single piece be left.
Yet here’s a piece of history which someone was able to preserve, probably the only existing copy of the note. The banknote which might have been, but never was.
Image courtesy of Christopher Gibbs of pinoynotes.hostoi.com
This is a 
Pinoy Numismatist Network 
Very nice note. I wish they are available for collectors like us. Thanks for posting.
Posted by Edward Delos Santos | 17 January 2012, 10:48 AMYup, I’d wish that too. I think the banknote really speaks for it self…
Posted by PinoyNumNet | 17 January 2012, 5:24 PMNice note mas nana pa sa present day 500 bill really a collectors dream …..
Posted by Jaime ang | 16 July 2012, 9:12 AMI wish they release this banknote for circulation. The design are beautiful and it will be a waste if they don’t produce it. The only existing copy is priceless…. 😉
Posted by lunaticg | 8 February 2012, 11:21 AMI DON”T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!! i have no idea that they have issue this note one thing is for sure this is SIMPLY NOSTALGIC
Posted by Gilbert Sakay | 9 April 2012, 10:08 PMYup! Best to believe it bro, what we have right here is a part of our history which was almost lost from the pages of time. Actually, it was never issued nor reached circulation, perhaps the very reason why only few collectors/people know it exist. It is such a rarity, that I bet even most seasoned numis here, haven’t laid his eyes on a actual one besides from the design proposal of MananQuil. If it wasn’t for Pinoynotes who have shared the photo, no one could ever possibly have really appreciate it, which I’m glad to also share with you guys… Hope that you did enjoy what you have seen and learn so far. Cheers!
Posted by PinoyNumNet | 10 April 2012, 12:49 AMi believe you!
Posted by gara | 30 May 2012, 8:31 AMparang yung 1971 lng iyan na one peso rizal coin eh. maganda iyong may hawak niya ibenta nga mahal. mga P100,000. hmm. kc kahit sa World of Coins. di nila nadiscover ang mga ito eh. yungmga numinist naman umaasa lng sa libro. di magresearch
Posted by gara | 30 May 2012, 9:01 AMI have 2 Rizal coins of this kind, 1972 & 1974 and two 1907,1909 USA era big Philippine peso coins. I wonder how much are they worth now.
Posted by Romeo Mananquil | 13 September 2014, 1:22 AMAt my ripe age, I have been thinking of selling my 2 original designs of the Marcos 500 to somebody who will really value them. I thought a true banknote & coin collector will. To me, these items are much more valuable, because unlike banknotes, these are truly one of a kind. Would somebody be interested to make an offer?
Posted by Romeo C MananQuil | 7 August 2013, 9:56 AMGood Day, Sir!
I am very much interested with this particular note. I’ve been collecting notes for the past 4-6 years, and I happened to chance upon your comment here. If you are interested, I would very much like to know how much you’d want for the note.
Thanks!
Posted by Ryan Uy | 11 January 2014, 5:09 PMI am a designer of the 1980s New Design Series BSP Banknotes and Coins. I am selling my more than 30-year-old ORIGINAL Design Preliminary Artworks of the P1000, P5 banknotes and some of the coins. These are the earlier designs I submitted to the Numismatic Committee for consideration and suggestions that eventually led to the approval of the final designs. Interested parties may email me at armananquil@gmail.com. Thank you.
Posted by Romeo Mananquil | 16 September 2014, 12:26 AM