1 peso 1926
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1 saleAbout This Note
This is a magnificent example of Colombia's 1926 1 Peso Oro note issued by Banco de la República, printed by the American Bank Note Company. The note displays vibrant original colors—coral-red on the obverse and deep blue on the reverse—with exceptional clarity and no signs of circulation, consistent with an uncirculated grade. The intricate intaglio engraving of Simón Bolívar on the front and the allegorical Liberty figure on the back showcase the high-quality security printing typical of ABNC's work during this period.
Common. While this is an early Colombian banknote from 1926, the catalog reference price of $225 for UNC examples and the relatively high eBay transaction price ($374.99 for VF in 2012) reflect its age and collectibility rather than extreme scarcity. The note was a regular issue by Banco de la República printed in quantity by ABNC. UNC examples command a premium due to condition rarity, but the note itself is not scarce in the broader numismatic market.
Issued in February 1926, this note represents a period of monetary reform in Colombia following the establishment of Banco de la República as the central banking authority. The prominence of Simón Bolívar, the military liberator of Gran Colombia, reflects the nationalist sentiment and historical reverence of the era. The inclusion of a Liberty allegory on the reverse emphasizes the republican ideals that underpinned Colombia's political identity in the early 20th century.
The obverse features a center oval portrait of Simón Bolívar in full military dress uniform with high collar and insignia, surrounded by an ornate decorative frame. The design employs a predominantly red and coral color scheme with green accents, flanked by shield-shaped emblems containing guilloché work on either side. 'EL BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA' appears in the upper banner, with Series H designation and bearer clause text distributed across the note. The reverse displays an allegorical female figure representing Liberty in classical profile, wearing a laurel wreath, centered within an oval frame. The blue-dominant reverse includes matching shield emblems and ornamental scrollwork, with 'BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA' and cashier attribution text completing the design.
FRONT: 'EL BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA' (The Bank of the Republic) / 'SERIE H' (Series H) / '7810271' (Serial number) / 'BANCO COLOMBIANO' (Colombian Bank) / 'GERENTE' (Manager) / 'SECRETARIO' (Secretary) / 'SE PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will be paid to the bearer) / 'UN PESO ORO' (One Gold Peso) / 'FEBRERO DE 1926' (February of 1926) / 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution). BACK: 'BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA' (Bank of the Republic) / 'EL CAJERO' (The Cashier) / 'UN PESO ORO' (One Gold Peso) / 'Soy al Portador' (I am to the bearer) / 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving produced by the American Bank Note Company, New York. The note exhibits fine line intaglio work characteristic of ABNC's security printing standards, including detailed portraiture, guilloché patterns in the shield emblems, intricate crosshatching, and elaborate decorative borders. All security elements were printed using traditional engraved steel plate technology, ensuring the fine detail and anti-counterfeiting characteristics typical of premium banknote production of the 1920s.
Series H is noted on the obverse. The specific serial number 7810271 identifies this individual note's printing sequence. PMG has catalogued one variant for Pick-371, indicating this is the standard type without known major varieties such as signature variations or date overprints. The February 1926 date aligns with the initial issue period of this denomination.
