1000 Lire / 500 Lire Italian Lira (ITL) #668

Front

Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) in Milan, the world-renowned opera house inaugurated in 1778. Designed by neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini, La Scala is one of the leading opera and ballet theatres globally and has premiered works by Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, and Rossini among others. The building's facade with its distinctive arched windows is shown in detailed engraving, representing Italian cultural heritage and the nation's contribution to opera and performing arts.

Back

Head of Italia, the allegorical female personification of the Italian Republic, shown in classical profile facing right with elaborately curled hair in the Greco-Roman style. This symbolic representation of Italy as a goddess-like figure has been used on Italian currency since the late 19th century, embodying the nation's identity, unity, and connection to classical antiquity. The portrayal draws on Roman numismatic tradition and neoclassical artistic conventions.

History

This note is part of the 1969-1981 series of Italian Republic banknotes issued by the Banca d'Italia. The front displays a 1000 Lire denomination while the back shows 500 Lire, indicating this is a mismatched pair of two different denominations rather than the front and back of a single note. The 1000 Lire note (front, featuring La Scala) corresponds to Pick P-101, part of the Decree 20 February 1969 issue. The 500 Lire note (back, featuring the Head of Italia) corresponds to a separate series. Both were part of the Italian Lira system that circulated until the euro replacement in 2002. The text 'LA LEGGE PUNISCE I FABBRICATORI E GLI SPACCIATORI DI BIGLIETTI FALSI' on the front warns that the law punishes counterfeiters and distributors of false notes. Engraver E. Vangelli is credited on the back. The Italian Lira was demonetized on 28 February 2002 following euro adoption.