20 peso bolivanos 1962
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About This Note
This is a specimen note of Bolivia's 20 Pesos Bolivianos issued under the Law of July 19, 1962, printed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited. The note features a prominent red 'SPECIMEN' overprint and displays the characteristic mauve/purple color scheme typical of this series. In uncirculated condition with no visible wear, tears, or stains, this specimen represents an important example of Bolivia's mid-20th century currency reform.
Common. While specimen notes command somewhat higher prices than circulated examples, this particular issue appears regularly on secondary markets. eBay data shows UNC examples ranging from $2.77 to $29.00, with a 2019 catalogue value of $25 for UNC condition. The wide price variation reflects typical collector market volatility for common specimen notes. No evidence of limited print runs or rarity for this Pick number exists in available records.
Issued during a significant period of Bolivian monetary reform, this note commemorates the country's economic restructuring in 1962. The obverse features Pedro Domingo Murillo, a key figure in Bolivia's independence movement, reflecting the nation's emphasis on patriotic imagery. The reverse depicts La Paz with the iconic snow-capped peak of Mount Illimani in the background, symbolizing the geographical and cultural identity of Bolivia's capital and seat of government.
The obverse features a formal portrait of Pedro Domingo Murillo, positioned on the right side, rendered in the style typical of 19th-century political figures with period-appropriate formal attire and beard. His portrait is surrounded by ornate decorative borders and geometric guilloche patterns characteristic of Thomas de la Rue's engraving work. The left side displays the Bolivian coat of arms, an eagle with shield, reinforcing national sovereignty. Large denomination numerals '20' occupy the upper left and lower right corners within ornate frames. The reverse presents an engraved cityscape of La Paz featuring a prominent cathedral or church with a distinctive spire as the focal point, with snow-capped mountains (Mount Illimani) rising in the background, emphasizing Bolivia's Andean geography and religious heritage.
FRONT SIDE: '20' (denomination), 'BANCO CENTRAL DE BOLIVIA' (Central Bank of Bolivia), 'VEINTE PESOS BOLIVIANOS' (Twenty Bolivian Pesos), 'LEY DE 19 DE JULIO DE 1962' (Law of July 19, 1962), 'LA PAZ' (La Paz), 'GERENTE' (Manager), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'MURILLO' (Murillo), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED.' (printer identification), 'SPECIMEN' (specimen overprint). BACK SIDE: '20' (denomination), 'BANCO CENTRAL DE BOLIVIA' (Central Bank of Bolivia), 'VEINTE PESOS BOLIVIANOS' (Twenty Bolivian Pesos), 'LA PAZ-ILLIMANI' (La Paz-Illimani, referencing Mount Illimani), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED.' (printer identification), 'SPECIMEN' (specimen overprint).
Intaglio engraving and letterpress, characteristic of Thomas de la Rue & Company's premium banknote production. The fine guilloche patterns, detailed line engraving of the landscape and portrait, and the precise geometric border designs are hallmarks of classical banknote security printing from this era. The specimen overprint was applied using red letterpress or similar technique.
This specimen note is catalogued as Pick P-161s, the 's' designation indicating a specimen issue with red 'SPECIMEN' overprint. The visual analysis confirms the red overprint characteristic. The catalog notes 4 signature varieties exist for the regular issue (P-161a), though this specimen example displays the standard specimen configuration. The note exhibits Series E designation with serial number format E000000, typical of specimen notes used for validation and distribution purposes.
