French Pacific Territories 500 Francs 2023, P-5(3), UNC

Papaya, kava leaves and pointed bird-of-paradise flowers fill a green field that gives way to softer blossoms on the reverse.

Design & Symbolism

Obverse

Kava leaves and bird-of-paradise flowers share the front with Wallisian tapa patterns. A papaya leaf and fruit form the small image completed when the note is held to the light. The design brings broad leaves, narrow flower forms and worked cloth patterns into close contact, making vegetation the principal subject without isolating it from Pacific material culture.

Reverse

Frangipani and the Tahitian tiaré flower replace the sharper plant shapes opposite. Futunan siapo patterns accompany the blossoms, while the papaya motif returns at the registration point. This side changes the botanical detail but retains the pairing of plants and cloth decoration, so the two faces can be read together as parts of a shared regional design.

Collector’s Insight

For collectors, P-5(3) is the Poussin-Delmas / Villeroy de Galhau / Foucault signature combination introduced in 2023, not a new dated design. The note itself remains undated and continues the smaller 2014 family used across the three French Pacific territories. Its floral subject makes it the botanical member of a set whose other denominations develop fauna and architecture.

Shipping & Guarantee

Each banknote is carefully handled and securely packed to ensure safe delivery. Authenticity is guaranteed.

Serial number and prefix may vary from the reference image.