1 peso 1895

Common. The eBay price data provided shows VF examples selling for approximately $25 and lower grades (F, VG) regularly trading at $16-26 across multiple sales from 2012-2020. The 2016 catalog valuation places this note at $6 for F grade and $30 for EF grade. These modest prices, combined with regular market availability evidenced by multiple auction results over an eight-year period, indicate this is a readily obtainable issue. The Banco Nacional de la República de Colombia was an established issuer with substantial production runs, and no evidence suggests this 1895 denomination was recalled or produced in severely limited quantities. This is a common banknote appreciated primarily for its historical and artistic merits rather than scarcity.

This 1895 issue represents Colombia's monetary system during the post-Regeneration period under President Miguel Antonio Caro. The prominent portrait of Simón Bolívar, the liberator depicted in military dress with decorative insignia, reflects the nation's veneration of its independence hero and the continued use of nationalist iconography to legitimize the central bank's authority. The Colombian coat of arms featuring the condor underscores national sovereignty during a period of significant political consolidation.

The obverse features a symmetrical classical design centered on two circular portrait medallions. The left medallion contains the Colombian coat of arms displaying a condor with spread wings holding a shield containing heraldic elements. The right medallion presents Simón Bolívar, the military and political liberator of northern South America, shown in left-facing profile wearing a formal military dress uniform adorned with medals and decorative insignia. Between the medallions is a banner reading 'UN PESO' with ornamental flourishes. The entire design is framed by intricate black and red-orange decorative borders featuring scrollwork and geometric patterns on a cream background. The reverse displays a symmetrical composition of Greek key patterns, laurel wreaths, and classical architectural ornamental motifs in black, with a red official stamp or seal positioned centrally. Corner medallions contain additional ornamental designs. The combination of nationalist symbolism (Bolívar, condor, shield) with classical European design conventions reflects Colombia's aspirations to legitimacy and modernity during the 1890s.

FRONT: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA' (National Bank of the Republic of Colombia) / 'Pagará al portador á LA VISTA' (Will pay to bearer on sight/on demand) / 'UN PESO' (One Peso) / 'EN MONEDA CORRIENTE' (In current currency) / 'Bogotá, Marzo 4 de 1895' (Bogotá, March 4, 1895) / 'Nº 754319' (Number 754319) / 'SERIE I' (Series I) / 'EL DIRECTOR GERENTE' (The Managing Director) / 'Camilo Q. Ordóñez' [signature] / 'VOCALES DEL CONSEJO DE JUNTA' (Board Council Members) / 'American Bank Note Co. New York' (American Bank Note Company, New York). BACK: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA' (National Bank of the Republic of Colombia) / 'American Bank Note Company, New York'

Steel plate intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing method for high-quality banknotes of the period. The printer was the American Bank Note Company of New York, one of the world's premier security printers. The note employs color separation with black and red-orange inks applied in multiple passes, visible in the fine line work throughout and the complex geometric borders designed as anti-counterfeiting measures. The crisp detail and consistent density of the engraved lines confirm professional intaglio production rather than lithography.

This specimen is from Series I (SERIE I), serial number 754319, issued March 4, 1895 (Marzo 4 de 1895), with the managing director signature of Camilo Q. Ordóñez. The Pick catalog reference 234a indicates this is variety 'a' of the 1895 1-peso issue. The visual analysis notes at least 21 different Greek and English series letters exist for this denomination, suggesting multiple printing varieties. The back features a red bank seal or stamp as a standard security feature. No overprints are visible on this example. The note belongs to the early regular issue period of the Banco Nacional and would be one of the initial production runs of this particular design.