EUROPEAN UNION / ITALY. European Central Bank. 500 Euro, 2002. P-7ss. Specimen. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ.The 500 Euro is the highest denomination of the first series of Euro notes, and they have now been withdrawn, as use of this high denomination was often linked to organized crime. While they remain legal tender, they are no longer issued, and the second series of Euro notes does not include this denomination. This specimen for Italy features the short-lived Duisenberg signature. An attractive example of this very popular high-denomination type and like the rest of this first series very difficult to find in specimen format.
