1 peso 1964

Common. The 1 Peso Oro from 1964 (Pick 404b) is a relatively common Colombian banknote. Large print runs of lower denominations from the 1960s were typical, and survival rates remained high due to the denomination's everyday circulation use. No historical evidence suggests limited production, recall, or rarity for this specific issue. The condition grade UNC is less common than circulated examples, but the denomination and year combination itself is widely available to collectors in the market.

This 1964 issue represents the Banco de la República's currency during a transitional period in Colombian monetary history, when the 'Peso Oro' (gold peso) designation still carried symbolic weight despite the move away from gold-backed currency. The dual portraits and classical iconography—including the eagle symbolizing national sovereignty and the female allegorical figure representing the nation—reflect the mid-20th century Colombian state's emphasis on institutional legitimacy and national identity. The specific date of October 12, 1964, places this note during the period of the Liberal National Front government, a politically significant era in Colombia's democratic development.

The obverse features a carefully balanced composition with two profile portraits: a male figure on the left facing left in military or formal dress with a cravat, and another male figure on the right facing right in formal attire with a bow tie. These portraits are positioned on either side of a central shield with laurel wreath, backed by an elaborate sunburst radiating pattern. The entire design is encased in an ornate geometric border with fine line work and leaf motifs. The reverse presents a dominant eagle with fully extended wings as the central element, positioned above a landscape scene incorporating palm trees and mountainous terrain, symbolic of Colombia's geography. Above the eagle sits a circular medallion containing a female allegorical figure representing the Colombian nation. Denomination markers '1 PESO ORO' appear symmetrically on both left and right sides in ornamental frames. The color scheme throughout employs blue, orange/peach, black, and white to create contrast and visual hierarchy.

FRONT SIDE: 'El Banco de la República' (The Bank of the Republic), 'Pagará al Portador' (Will Pay to Bearer), 'Un Peso Oro' (One Gold Peso), 'Bogotá Colombia' (Bogotá Colombia), 'Gerente' (Manager), 'Secretario' (Secretary), 'Octubre 12 de 1964' (October 12, 1964), Serial Number: 3171019 (appears twice). REVERSE SIDE: 'Banco de la República' (Bank of the Republic), 'Bogotá Colombia' (Bogotá Colombia), 'Peso Oro' (Gold Peso - appears on both left and right sides), Denomination: '1' (appears in ornamental frames on both sides).

This banknote was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate geometric patterns, detailed facial features in the portraits, and the complex layered imagery throughout both sides. The consistent quality of fine engraving, the depth of the security elements including the border designs and sunburst patterns, and the crisp serial number printing are characteristic of professional banknote intaglio production by a security printer. This Pick catalog note was likely printed by the Banco de la República's designated security printer, which for Colombian notes of this era typically involved Bureau of Engraving and Printing techniques or similar international banknote security facilities.

This specific example is dated October 12, 1964, with serial number 3171019. The Pick catalog designation 404b indicates this is the 'b' variety of the 1 Peso Oro from 1964, suggesting there may be an 'a' variety with different signatures, dates, or serial number prefixes. Varieties within the 1964 1 Peso issue are typically distinguished by the signatures of the Gerente (Manager) and Secretario (Secretary) positions shown on the obverse, which vary throughout the production period. The serial number prefix and arrangement may also indicate specific printing batches. Further research into the signature combinations and serial number ranges would be required to definitively establish all recorded varieties for this year and denomination.