50 VEF #578

Front

Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), South America's only native bear species and endemic to the Andes mountain ranges. The species is classified as vulnerable and is found in cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia; Sierra Nevada National Park in Venezuela provides critical habitat for this species. The front features the Venezuelan coat of arms at left and the denomination '50 CINCUENTA BOLÍVARES' with text indicating 'CASA DE LA MONEDA VENEZUELA' and 'Oso Frontino Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada' (Spectacled Bear, Sierra Nevada National Park).

Back

Simón Bolívar (1783–1830), Venezuelan military and political leader who led the independence movements against Spanish rule across much of South America, liberating present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia. Known as 'El Libertador' (The Liberator), he is the most revered figure in Venezuelan and Latin American history, and Venezuela's currency is named in his honour. The back inscription reads 'CIEN BOLÍVARES' (One Hundred Bolívares) and includes the date '24 DE MARZO DE 2008' and signatures of bank officials with 'PRESIDENTE DEL BCV' visible.

History

This note belongs to the Bolívar Fuerte ('Strong Bolívar') series introduced in 2007 during a currency reform that removed three zeros from the previous Bolívar currency (VEB). The reform was part of President Hugo Chávez's economic policies. The 50-bolívar denomination was issued in 2018 during Venezuela's severe hyperinflation crisis. The Bolívar Fuerte was replaced by the Bolívar Soberano on August 20, 2018, with another redenomination removing five zeros. The wildlife-themed design reflects Venezuela's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts, with the spectacled bear representing the country's endangered Andean fauna. Serial number format AL followed by 8 digits is consistent with late Bolívar Fuerte issues. These notes circulated for only a brief period before demonetization due to hyperinflation.