100 pesos 1947

Common. This is a regular issue from a major central bank covering a 9-year period (1947-1956) with substantial print runs. eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $2-15 range across various conditions, with UNC examples cataloging at $8 according to 2016 values. The note is readily available in the collector market, appearing regularly in auctions and sales. No special rarities, short print runs, or recall information are associated with this Pick number.

This note was issued during the post-World War II period when Chile maintained the Cóndor as a secondary denomination alongside the Peso, reflecting the country's continued use of both currency units. The portrait of Arturo Prat, the legendary Chilean naval officer who died heroically at the Battle of Iquique in 1879, honored one of the nation's greatest military heroes and symbolized Chilean patriotism and national pride. The inscriptions confirming convertibility in gold according to law reflect the monetary standards of the era, though this clause became increasingly symbolic as the 20th century progressed.

The obverse features a portrait of Arturo Prat, the celebrated Chilean military hero, depicted as a bearded man in formal attire with a bow tie, shown in left-facing profile on the right side of the note. The denomination is prominently displayed as both '100' numerals in multiple corners and 'CIEN PESOS' text, with the dual currency designation 'DIEZ CONDORES' (Ten Condors) shown prominently. The reverse displays a large ornamental numeral '100' on the left side with elaborate scrollwork, while the center features the official circular seal of the Banco Central de Chile, which incorporates an eagle design with institutional text around the perimeter. The entire note is enclosed in ornate decorative borders with fine scrollwork patterns in the corners, and the color scheme is predominantly red and pink with cream/off-white background elements. The back includes a large blank oval space, possibly intended for future design modifications or security purposes.

FRONT SIDE: 'DIEZ CONDORES' (Ten Condors), 'BANCO CENTRAL DE CHILE' (Central Bank of Chile), '100' (denomination numeral), 'CIEN PESOS' (One Hundred Pesos), 'E 53' (likely printer or series designation), '000617' (serial number), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'GERENTE GENERAL' (General Manager), 'CONVERTIBLE EN ORO CONFORME A LEY' (Convertible in gold according to law), 'TALLERES DE ESPECIES VALORADAS - SANTIAGO, CHILE' (Valued Species Workshops - Santiago, Chile). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE CHILE' (Central Bank of Chile), '100' (denomination), 'CIEN PESOS' (One Hundred Pesos), 'BANCO CENTRAL DE CHILE - SANTIAGO' (Central Bank of Chile - Santiago).

This banknote was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing techniques, as evidenced by the sharp, detailed fine line engraving visible throughout the design, the ornate decorative borders with precise scrollwork, and the crisp portrait rendering. The note was printed by Talleres de Especies Valoradas (Valued Species Workshops) in Santiago, Chile, which was the official security printer for the Banco Central de Chile during this period. The multiple denomination indicators and the fine detail work characteristic of intaglio printing provided security against counterfeiting while maintaining the high aesthetic standards expected of central bank currency.

This specific example is identified as Pick 113, representing the 1947 issue with the name 'Arturo Prat' appearing under the portrait. Known varieties for this denomination include signature varieties (2 known signature varieties according to catalog sources), and variants with or without security thread. This particular note may be examined for signature type, though these are relatively minor varieties. The note represents the version with the name designation under the portrait, distinguishing it from earlier versions P-95 and P-96 which lacked this identification. Later issues P-114 and P-122 feature different back designs.