2 pesos 1922
Market Prices
2 salesAbout This Note
This Chilean 2 Pesos note from 1922 (Pick P-58) presents a well-circulated example in Very Fine condition, featuring a military portrait on the obverse and an allegorical female figure representing commerce or national prosperity on the reverse. The note exhibits the characteristic blue-green-red color scheme and fine guilloche engraving typical of early 20th-century Chilean currency, with visible circulation marks including fold creases and a postal handstamp impression that attest to its historical use.
Common. Market data indicates VF-graded examples sold for approximately $217 USD in 2013 and F-grade notes for approximately $103 USD in 2020, with catalog values in the $7.50–$45 range depending on condition. These price points and trading frequency suggest steady circulation in the collector market rather than scarcity, consistent with a regular-issue note from a major country with substantial print runs.
Issued by Chile's Dirección del Tesoro during the period 1920-1922, this note reflects post-WWI economic conditions and Chile's gold-standard monetary policy, as indicated by the inscription 'Valores en Oro Conforme a la Ley' (Values in Gold in Accordance with the Law). The allegorical imagery on the reverse—depicting industry and commerce—symbolizes Chile's economic aspirations during a period of relative stability and development in the early republican era.
The obverse features a male figure in military uniform and decorations shown in profile, positioned on the right side of the note with a Chilean flag and urban cityscape in the background—likely representing a Chilean military or political figure of the period. The reverse displays a classical allegorical female figure (personification of national prosperity or commercial virtue) within an ornate oval medallion, surrounded by industrial or urban landscape elements, symbolizing the nation's commercial and industrial capacity. Both sides employ elaborate guilloche patterns, decorative borders, and flourishes characteristic of security engraving. The note displays denomination numerals '2' in decorative circular frames at upper corners.
Front: 'REPÚBLICA DE CHILE' (Republic of Chile); 'DOS PESOS' (Two Pesos); 'VALORES EN ORO CONFORME A LA LEY' (Values in Gold in Accordance with the Law); 'SANTIAGO' (Santiago); '30 de Enero' (January 30); 'IMP. FISCAL CHILE' (Fiscal Press Chile); Serial number '285293' and series letter 'D'. Back: 'DOS' (Two). Additional administrative markings include handstamp impressions typical of central bank processing.
Intaglio (copperplate) engraving on banknote paper, produced by Imprenta Fiscal (Fiscal Press), Santiago de Chile. The fine line engraving, complex guilloche background patterns, and intricate decorative elements are consistent with high-security intaglio production standards of the era. The paper shows evidence of watermarking areas (visible blank spaces), typical of banknote paper manufacture.
This example bears series letter 'D' and serial number 285293 with red printing, consistent with the standard production run dated 30 January 1922 (the final issue date within the P-58 series' 1920–1922 window). Handstamp Types I and II are noted in reference catalogs; this specimen shows at least one handstamp impression. The date range 19.10.1920–30.01.1922 encompasses multiple printing sessions; notes from the final issue date (30 January 1922) may carry slight premium interest among specialized collectors focusing on terminal dates of an issue.
