Reverse In the upper part, following the curve of the coin's edge, is the text "500", below it — "SEDIS", meaning "five hundred cedis". The inscriptions are separated by four raised elements in the form of "--". In the central part, the coat of arms shield of Ghana divides the year of issue "1996" into two parts. On the shield, a cross with a leopard image divides it into 4 quarters: top left, a ceremonial okyeame sword crossed with its sheath; top right, a castle on a base of three wavy bands; bottom left, a cocoa tree with a lush crown; bottom right, a gold mine on the ground.
Obverse Around the edge of the coin are decorative raised dots. In the upper part, following the curve of the coin's edge, is the text "GHANA" — Republic of Ghana. Below it, "FREEDOM AND JUSTICE". In the central part are national drums.