The front bears Anton de Kom (1898–1945), a native of Paramaribo and author of the anti-colonial book «Wij slaven van Suriname» («We Slaves of Suriname», 1934). During the German occupation of the Netherlands he wrote for the underground resistance press; arrested in August 1944, he died in April 1945 at the Sandbostel camp, and in 1983 Suriname’s university was named after him.

Next to the portrait are armed men, a reference to the 1980 coup, and the back features a toucan. The series succeeded the «revolutionary» notes of 1982–1985 and was printed in England by De La Rue.

Notes of the series carry the dates 1 July 1986 and 9 January 1988; this example is dated 9 January 1988. The 500 guilders is the highest denomination of the series.

For a Suriname collection this is the series with the portrait of a key figure of national history, and in a «birds on banknotes» set its toucan makes it stand out. UNC condition means the note has never circulated: no folds, no wear, no soiling, even corners — just as it left the press.

If this theme interests you, take a look at the other items in the VPcoins catalogue.