50 pesos 1976 replacement
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1976 Argentine 50 pesos replacement note (Pick P-301*) featuring exceptional engraving quality and pristine condition. The obverse displays a portrait of a bearded military officer in formal dress, while the reverse showcases a detailed landscape engraving of the Termas de Reyes geothermal springs in Jujuy Province. The asterisk designation indicates this is a replacement note, making it a notable variety for collectors of Argentine currency from the military junta period.
Common. The 1976 50 pesos notes, including replacement varieties marked with asterisks, were produced in substantial quantities during the military junta period. Replacement notes (P-301*) are encountered regularly in the collector market and do not command premiums significantly above standard issue notes. Uncirculated examples are readily available, and this denomination and year combination represents standard-issue currency rather than a scarce or limited release.
Issued during Argentina's military junta period (1976-1983), this 50 pesos note represents the economic policies of the Proceso de Reorganización Nacional. The reverse's depiction of Termas de Reyes reflects Argentina's pride in its natural resources and geographic diversity during a time of significant political upheaval. The bearded military officer portrait on the obverse likely represents General José de San Martín, Argentina's national hero, whose image graced currency during this patriotic-themed monetary period.
The obverse features General José de San Martín, Argentina's independence hero, portrayed in military dress uniform with beard, positioned prominently on the right side of the note. The reverse displays an engraved landscape scene of the Termas de Reyes geothermal area in Jujuy Province, depicting mountainous terrain with thermal features characteristic of this natural landmark in northwestern Argentina. Both sides are framed with ornate decorative borders featuring intricate geometric and floral engraved patterns, with the Argentine national coat of arms appearing in the upper right of the obverse and within an ornamental frame on the reverse. The denomination '50' appears in multiple locations within decorative cartouches on both sides.
FRONT: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA' (Central Bank of the Argentine Republic), 'CINCUENTA PESOS' (Fifty Pesos), '50' (50), 'GERENTE GENERAL' (General Manager), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'DEL SANMARTIN' (Of San Martin), serial number 'R01.380.221 A'. BACK: 'REPUBLICA ARGENTINA' (Argentine Republic), 'CINCUENTA PESOS' (Fifty Pesos), '50' (50), 'JUJUY - TERMAS DE REYES' (Jujuy - Termas de Reyes hot springs), 'CASA DE MONEDA DE LA NACION' (National Mint).
Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving), the standard security printing method for Argentine banknotes of this era. The fine line work visible throughout, particularly in the portrait details, landscape rendering, and ornamental borders, is characteristic of intaglio production. The note was produced by the Casa de Moneda de la Nación (National Mint of Argentina), as indicated on the reverse.
This is a replacement note variety, as indicated by the asterisk designation (P-301*) in the Pick catalog. Replacement notes were issued to replace defective currency during production or circulation. The serial number format 'R01.380.221 A' with the 'R' prefix likely indicates the replacement designation. The specific signatures visible (GERENTE GENERAL and PRESIDENTE positions noted) would need to be cross-referenced with known signature varieties of this issue for complete variety identification, but the asterisk marking itself establishes this as the replacement variety.
