10 pesos 1960
Market Prices
3 salesAbout This Note
This is a Colombian 10 Pesos Oro note from 1960, Pick 400b, issued by Banco de la República and printed by Thomas de la Rue in London. The note features an elegant classical design with a profile portrait of General Antonio Nariño on the obverse and an allegorical Mercury figure holding a caduceus, complemented by the Banco de la República building in Cali on the reverse. Despite catalog listing as UNC, the physical inspection reveals significant circulation wear including visible creases, folds, foxing, and discoloration throughout, with an aged yellowish patina inconsistent with true Uncirculated grade.
Common. While this note shows significant circulation wear rather than the stated UNC condition, Colombian 10 Pesos Oro notes from this series were produced in substantial quantities during the 1958-1961 production period. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows typical eBay sales ranging from $7.72 to $143.27 depending on condition, with UNC examples cataloging at $50—well below the threshold for scarce notes. The broad price range reflects condition-dependent values rather than rarity, confirming this is a standard, readily-available issue.
This 1960 issue represents Colombia's mid-20th century currency during the early years of the modern Banco de la República's note production. The obverse honors General Antonio Nariño, a founding figure of Colombian independence, while the Mercury allegory symbolizes commerce and prosperity—imagery reflecting the nation's aspirations during the post-war economic period. The reverse's prominence of the modernist Banco de la República building in Cali demonstrates institutional pride and the bank's regional presence during this era of Colombian development.
The obverse features a classical left-facing profile portrait of General Antonio Nariño, a liberator and founding statesman of Colombia, rendered in fine detail within an ornate circular frame. Adjacent to this portrait stands an allegorical female figure (Mercury) in classical dress holding a caduceus staff, symbolizing commerce and international trade. Palm trees accent the right side of the composition, evoking Colombia's tropical geography. The reverse showcases an architectural rendering of the modernist Banco de la República building located in Cali, depicted with precise detail showing multiple floors and regularly-spaced fenestration characteristic of 1950s institutional architecture. Both sides feature ornate scrollwork borders, decorative corner cartouches containing the denomination numerals '10', and intricate geometric and floral background patterns typical of high-security currency design.
FRONT: 'EL BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA' (The Bank of the Republic) | 'SERIE N' (Series N) | 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Payable to Bearer) | 'DIEZ PESOS ORO' (Ten Gold Pesos) | 'BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA' | '1º DE ENERO DE 1960' (January 1st, 1960) | 'GERENTE' (Manager) | 'SECRETARIO' (Secretary) | 'NARIÑO' | Serial number '45459561'. BACK: 'BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA' (Bank of the Republic) | 'DIEZ PESOS ORO' (Ten Gold Pesos, repeated) | 'EDIFICIO DEL BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA EN CALI' (Building of the Bank of the Republic in Cali) | 'BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA'
Intaglio engraving (line engraving and/or recess printing), executed by Thomas de la Rue of London, as evidenced by the fine, crisp line work visible throughout the design, the exceptional detail in portrait rendering and architectural elements, and the complex layered border compositions with multiple tonal gradations characteristic of professional security printing of this era.
Series N variant as indicated by 'SERIE N' marking on obverse. The visual inspection shows serial number 45459561 with red/burgundy colored numerals. This note bears the 1º de Enero de 1960 date, consistent with the later emission within the 1958-1961 Pick 400b printing window. No overprints or unusual signature varieties are evident from the available images.
