2 cruzeiros 1956

Common. This note is readily available in the numismatic market, as evidenced by consistent eBay sales at modest prices ($0.49 to $20.51, with most sales in the $1-4 range for circulated examples). The 2016 catalog value of $1.50 UNC confirms accessibility. Multiple documented sales from 2013-2020 indicate a steady supply. While uncirculated examples command slightly higher prices, they remain well within the affordable range for typical collectors, indicating substantial print runs and no rarity premium justifying 'uncommon' or higher designations.

Issued by Brazil's Tesouro Nacional in 1956, this note represents the post-war cruzeiro currency period following Brazil's monetary reforms. The inclusion of Duque de Caxias, a 19th-century Brazilian military hero and statesman, reflects the nation's veneration of military leadership during the mid-20th century. The reverse's depiction of the Escola Militar de Rezende emphasizes the institutional importance of military education in post-WWII Brazil's nation-building efforts.

The obverse features a left-facing engraved portrait of Duque de Caxias, identifiable by his military uniform adorned with medals and decorative regalia, enclosed within an ornamental circular border. The portrait is rendered in fine crosshatching and surrounded by intricate scrollwork and rosette designs in the four corners. The color palette combines teal/blue-green as the primary color with orange/tan accents creating visual depth. The reverse presents an architectural landscape in monochromatic orange, depicting the Escola Militar de Rezende with multiple connected institutional buildings set within mountainous terrain with sparse vegetation, rendered in fine engraving with detailed line work. Both sides feature decorative corner frames with the denomination '2' in oval cartouches and border ornamentation typical of early-to-mid 20th century Brazilian currency design.

FRONT: 'República dos Estados Unidos do Brasil' (Republic of the United States of Brazil) | 'Se Pagará ao Portador' (Will be paid to bearer) | 'Desta a Quantia de' (From this the sum of) | 'Dois Cruzeiros' (Two cruzeiros) | 'Estampa 2A' (Printing 2A) | 'Série 1045A' (Series 1045A) | 'Valor Recebido' (Value received) | 'Caixa de Amortização' (Amortization fund) | 'Do Tesouro Nacional' (Of the National Treasury) | 'Diretor' (Director) | 'Ministro da Fazenda' (Minister of Finance) | 'Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London'. BACK: 'República dos Estados Unidos do Brasil' (Republic of the United States of Brazil) | 'Escola Militar de Rezende' (Rezende Military School) | 'Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London'.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London. The note demonstrates classical multi-color printing with separate passes for the teal/blue-green and orange color work on the obverse, and single-color orange printing for the reverse. The intricate crosshatching patterns, fine line work in the architectural details, and ornamental flourishes are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. Serial numbers appear in red ink applied separately.

Identified as the 'Ac' variety (Pick P-157Ac), indicating orange coloring on the reverse. The visual analysis confirms the characteristic orange back versus the ochre variant referenced in catalog data (P-157A). Series number 1045A and sequential serial number 081947 visible on obverse are consistent with documented 1956 production. Two printed signatures are visible, conforming to standard practice for this issue type. The 'Estampa 2A' (Printing 2A) designation on the note indicates this is the second printing variant of the 2 Cruzeiros design.