Portugal 500 Escudos banknote 1928
Obverse: Portrait of Pedro de Sousa Holstein, 1st Duke of Palmela at upper right, castle at lower left, Coat of arms of Portugal at top centre. In the top, the issuer name "BANCO DE PORTUGAL".
Reverse: In the top, the issuer name "BANCO DE PORTUGAL"and the original seal of Banco de Portugal at left. The landscape of the rural Alentejo Region - Cork Harvesting.
Printer: Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, New Malden in Surrey, England.
Portugal banknotes - Portugal paper money
1927-1930 "Chapa 4" Issue
100 Escudos 500 Escudos 1000 Escudos
Pedro de Sousa Holstein, 1st Duke of Palmela
Pedro de Sousa Holstein, duque de Palmela, also called (1812–23) conde de Palmela, or (1823–33) marquês de Palmela (born May 8, 1781, Turin, Piedmont Italy - died October 12, 1850, Lisbon, Portugal) was one of the most important Portuguese diplomats and liberal statesman in the first half of the 19th century and supporter of Queen Maria II. He also served as the country's first official Prime Minister, the office in essence having already existed.
Palmela was born abroad during his father’s tour of duty in the diplomatic corps. His family, and particularly his mother, had suffered from the Marquês de Pombal’s despotism. Educated abroad and at Coimbra, Portugal, Palmela entered the army in 1796 and the foreign service in 1802. He was a friend of Madame de Staël and of Alexander von Humboldt and campaigned with Arthur Wellesley later 1st duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War. Palmela represented Portugal in Rome (1802), Spain (1810), and Great Britain (1812). With the title of conde (from 1812), he also took part in the Congress of Vienna. In 1817 he was appointed Portuguese minister of foreign affairs, but it was only in 1820 that he arrived in Rio de Janeiro, where the court then was. He returned to Portugal with King John VI in 1821 and was created a marquês in 1823. In later years he was for short periods minister of foreign affairs again (1835), president of the chamber of peers (1841), and prime minister (1842 and 1846).
A moderate liberal along British lines, he urged John VI to embrace constitutionalism. Having allied himself with the liberals on John VI’s death (1826), Palmela stalwartly identified himself with the movement that in 1834 put Maria II on the throne; and it was largely thanks to his subsequent efforts that she remained queen. Duque de Palmela from 1833, he was active in politics and diplomacy almost until his death.
The original seal of Banco de Portugal
In 1846, Banco de Portugal adopted, with slight changes, the white seal that painter Domingos Sequeira had created for Banco de Lisboa.
The design reflects the classical universe of the time and contains a large variety of allegorical items alluding to fiduciary wealth, financial health and prudence, the Discoveries and trade.
Oval in shape, the seal depicts a goddess, resting upon a shield with reference to the Royal Decree that created Banco de Portugal.
The goddess is clad in long clothes and Greek sandals and wears a caravel-shaped diadem. Her right arm stretches towards the horizon. On her left arm, she holds a caduceus entwined with two serpents and an eagle, symbolising financial wealth and prudence and royal power.
The goddess is surrounded by a cornucopia of coins (symbolising fiduciary wealth), an anchor, the sea and a ship (allusive of the Discoveries and trade), and the sun, beneath the wording “Banco de Portugal”.