Banknote Brazil 500 Cruzados Villa Lobos - 1988 - Serial A-A

The 500 cruzados banknote, issued in 1988, is a testament to Brazil's monetary history. This banknote belongs to the A-A series and features an intricate design that reflects Brazilian culture and history.

On the front of the banknote is a portrait of Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959), a renowned Brazilian composer, depicted in front of a piano keyboard. To his left, a representation of a Victoria amazonica water lily adds a touch of Brazilian biodiversity. In the background, an excerpt from the score of Villa-Lobos's work "Uirapuru" is visible. The phrase "Considero minhas obras como cartas que escrevi à posteridade sem esperar resposta" (I consider my works as letters I wrote to posterity without expecting an answer), attributed to the maestro, is repeated in watermark on two overlapping lines.

Inscriptions on the front include "BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL 500", as well as the titles of "PRESIDENTE DO CONSELHO MONETÁRIO NACIONAL" and "PRESIDENTE DO BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL". There is also the mention "CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL" and the motto "DEUS SEJA LOUVADO". The name "VILLA LOBOS" is highlighted, along with the face value "500 QUINHENTOS CRUZADOS".

The back of the banknote features an engraving inspired by a work by Johann Moritz Rugendas, illustrating a primitive Brazilian forest bordering a river, with a canoe carrying people. The same phrase by Villa-Lobos, "Considero minhas obras como cartas que escrevi à posteridade sem esperar resposta", is repeated in watermark. The face value "500 QUINHENTOS CRUZADOS" is also inscribed.

The watermark of the banknote represents a portrait of Heitor Villa Lobos. The dimensions of the banknote are 154 × 74 mm.