There’s a ₱3,000 bill, but you won’t normally find it in circulation

Yes, the Philippines officially has a ₱3,000 banknote. And no, it is not fake money.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in partnership with the Supreme Court, launched the limited-edition ₱3,000 commemorative banknote on June 10, 2026, to celebrate the judiciary’s 125th anniversary.

Unlike the familiar ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱500, and ₱1,000 denominations, this unusual banknote was created primarily for collectors rather than everyday spending.

The purple-colored bill features Cayetano Arellano, the country’s first Filipino Chief Justice, alongside the historic Supreme Court Session Hall.

Its reverse side features Lady Justice, the Supreme Court’s new building, and the names of the country’s Chief Justices.

It also makes history as the first Philippine banknote with a vertically oriented reverse design.

Interestingly, the ₱3,000 note is not made of polymer, unlike the newer Philippine banknotes. Instead, it is printed on special security paper composed of 80% cotton and 20% locally sourced abacá.

How much does it cost?

Although its face value is ₱3,000, the commemorative banknote is sold for ₱3,600 through the official BSP Store, with the additional amount covering its collector’s presentation and packaging.

Purchases are limited to one per customer, and the banknote has experienced strong demand, with stocks periodically selling out.

It is also offered through the Supreme Court Gift Shop in Manila.

Can you actually spend it?

Technically, yes. The ₱3,000 banknote is officially recognized as legal tender, meaning it has monetary value.

However, it is classified as a non-circulating commemorative banknote, which means it was not designed for ordinary commercial transactions.

Its issuance also does not mean that the BSP is introducing a new ₱3,000 denomination into regular circulation or that the country is experiencing inflation severe enough to require higher-value bills.

The banknote was created specifically to commemorate a historic milestone in the Philippine judiciary.

A companion ₱125 commemorative coin was also released to mark the Supreme Court’s anniversary.

For collectors, the ₱3,000 note represents a rare piece of Philippine monetary history.

And considering that buyers already pay ₱3,600 to own one, spending it at its ₱3,000 face value would mean losing money before even considering its potential collectible value.