100 escudos 1973

Common. While this is a 50-year-old banknote from colonial Angola, the eBay sales data demonstrates consistent market activity with regular sales averaging $2-$5 for UNC examples and $15-$35 for professionally graded higher-condition specimens (PMG 65-67). The frequency of sales, modest pricing even for AU/UNC grades, and broad availability across multiple auction platforms all indicate this was produced in substantial quantities. No evidence of short print runs, recalls, or scarcity factors exists for Pick 106.

This note was issued on June 10, 1973, during the twilight of Portuguese colonial rule in Angola, just two years before the Angolan War of Independence and Portugal's Carnation Revolution. The prominent placement of Luiz de Camões, Portugal's greatest Renaissance poet and explorer, reflects the historical connection the colonial administration sought to emphasize between Portugal's Age of Discovery and contemporary Angola. The decorative palm fronds on the reverse represent Angola's natural wealth and tropical character, while the Portuguese coat of arms underscores the colonial political framework still in place at the time of issue.

The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Luiz de Camões (1524-1580), Portugal's celebrated Renaissance poet and author of 'Os Lusíadas,' rendered with fine detail showing his characteristic beard and ornate historical armor with decorative plating. A Portuguese coat of arms in an oval medallion occupies the center. Extensive guilloche security patterns and fine-line geometric designs create a complex background framework. The reverse displays botanical ornamental imagery centered on detailed palm fronds and tropical foliage, representing Angola's flora and natural resources. Both sides incorporate large circular blank areas (watermark locations) surrounded by intricate corner flourishes and security elements. The overall design reflects classical Portuguese banknote aesthetics of the era.

FRONT: 'BANCO DE ANGOLA' (Bank of Angola); '100' (denomination); 'CEM ESCUDOS' (One Hundred Escudos); 'GOVERNADOR' (Governor); 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator); '10 DE JUNHO DE 1973' (June 10, 1973); 'LUIZ DE CAMÕES' (name of portrayed historical figure); 'JH68119' (serial number). BACK: '100' (denomination); 'BANCO DE ANGOLA' (Bank of Angola).

Intaglio (recess) printing, evidenced by the sharp, deeply detailed line work visible throughout the guilloche patterns, fine security lines, and portrait rendering. The note exhibits the crisp impressions and precise fine-line work characteristic of high-security intaglio production employed by Portuguese security printers for Banco de Angola notes during this period. Multiple color applications suggest the use of multi-plate intaglio printing to achieve the complex color layering observed in the purple, green, brown, and black palette.

Serial number observed: JH68119. The note represents a regular issue of June 10, 1973 dated release. PMG population data indicates one cataloged variant (P-106cts). The specific serial number prefix 'JH' and subsequent numbering may indicate a specific printing batch. No overprints, signature varieties, or other significant variations are visible on this specimen. This note falls within the standard production run for the 1973 100 Escudos issue.