Cambodia - 500 Cambodian Riels - P-14a - 1958-70 dated Foreign Paper Money

500 Riels, P-14a, b, c, or d. Especially gorgeous Large Size Note. The riel is the official currency of Cambodia and has seen two distinct iterations. The first version of the riel was in circulation from 1953 until May 1975. During the period between 1975 and 1980, Cambodia lacked a formal monetary system. The second version of the riel has been used since March 20, 1980. Since the late 1990s, the riel has unofficially maintained a fixed exchange rate of approximately 4,100:1 with the United States dollar, which is widely used for commercial transactions in Cambodia.

The name "riel" is thought to derive from the Khmer word for "small fish," ri?l, which is native to the Mekong River. However, it is more likely that the name originates from the Spanish-American dollar, which had a high silver content and was valued at eight reales. This coin was widely used in international trade in Asia and the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries.