100 VEF #577

Front

Cardenalitos (Red Siskin, Spinus cucullatus), a small passerine bird endemic to northern South America, particularly Venezuela, Colombia and Guyana. The species is critically endangered due to habitat loss and capture for the illegal pet trade; it appears on this note as part of Venezuela's celebration of its natural biodiversity. The text identifies the birds as being from Parque Nacional El Ávila, the mountain range overlooking Caracas.

Back

Simón Bolívar (1783–1830), Venezuelan military and political leader who led the independence movements across much of South America from Spanish colonial rule. Known as El Libertador, Bolívar liberated present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia; Venezuela's currency has been named after him since 1879. He appears on virtually every denomination of Venezuelan banknotes and is the most honoured figure in the nation's history.

History

This 100 Bolívares Fuertes note belongs to the Bolívar Fuerte series issued from 2007–2018, introduced during the currency redenomination that replaced the old Bolívar at a rate of 1,000:1. The series was characterized by wildlife and natural heritage themes on the obverse paired with portraits of national heroes on the reverse. The printed date '5 DE JUNIO DE 2018' indicates this specific note was issued in mid-2018, during the final months before the Bolívar Fuerte was itself replaced by the Bolívar Soberano in August 2018 (at 100,000:1) due to hyperinflation. The Bolívar Soberano was subsequently replaced by a redenominated digital Bolívar in 2021. Serial number format with prefix 'G' is consistent with late-series production.