10 pesos 1921
About This Note
This is a municipally-issued 10 pesos note from Bogota dated 1921, representing an unusual and historically significant emergency currency issued by local government authorities during a period of Colombian monetary instability. The note features elegant allegorical female figures in classical style flanking a central ornamental cartouche, with sophisticated engraved borders and security work throughout. In VF condition with visible aging, foxing, archival preservation holes, and period wear, this unlisted Pick number represents a fascinating example of municipal scrip and warrants careful preservation.
Rare. This note carries a Pick 'unlisted' designation, indicating it does not appear in standard international banknote catalogs, which alone signals limited documentation and distribution. As a municipally-issued emergency note from 1921 Bogota rather than central bank currency, it had inherently limited circulation and likely saw significant attrition. Municipal scrip of this era was often called in and destroyed once the immediate liquidity crisis passed, further reducing survival rates. The specific Series C, serial number 2367 variety represents one of a limited series of such issues, making examples scarce in the collector market.
This note was issued by the Municipio de Bogota in 1921 as a form of municipal debt instrument or scrip, acknowledging debt obligations for payment orders that had been cancelled. Such issues emerged during periods when central government currency was scarce or unreliable, forcing local municipalities to issue their own monetary instruments to facilitate commerce and pay municipal obligations. The classical allegorical imagery and formal legal language reflect the civic authority and legitimacy these local governments sought to convey for their emergency currencies.
The front features two allegorical female figures representing civic virtues or municipal authority, positioned symmetrically on either side of an ornamental cartouche. The left figure is rendered in classical draped clothing, while the right figure similarly wears classical drapery and holds what appears to be a torch or staff, symbolic of enlightenment or civic leadership. Above the left figure is a heraldic shield featuring an eagle, representing Colombian national and municipal authority. The denomination 'DIEZ PESOS' is prominently displayed within an ornate scalloped cartouche at the center. The entire composition is framed by intricate geometric and floral decorative borders characteristic of 1920s Colombian engraving. The reverse features an elegant repeating pattern of concentric circles and floral medallion designs in red/pink, with ornamental scalloped borders, serving as security ornamentation typical of formal debt instruments of this period.
FRONT: 'SERIE C' (Series C); '2367' (Serial number); 'EL MUNICIPIO DE BOGOTA' (The Municipality of Bogota); 'SE RECONOCE DEUDOR DE LA SUMA DE' (Acknowledges itself as debtor for the sum of); 'DIEZ PESOS' (Ten pesos); 'PROCEDENTE DEL VALOR DE ORDENES DE PAGO CESADAS POR EL RESPECTIVO ACREEDOR.-LA PRE EN LA FORMA Y TERMINOS QUE DETERMINA EL ACUERDO N°C CIENTO ANUAL DESDE LA FECHA DE SU EXPEDICION.' (Proceeding from the value of payment orders ceased by the respective creditor in the form and terms determined by agreement number C annual from the date of its issue); 'EL ALCALDE DE LA CIUDAD' (The Mayor of the City); 'BOGOTA' (Bogota); 'DE 1921' (Of 1921); 'PRESIDENTE DEL CONCEJO' (President of the Council); 'PERSONERO MUNICIPAL' (Municipal Officer); 'EL NACIONAL' (The National); 'VILLAYECES' (Villayeces - likely a proper name/signature). BACK: 'VALIDO' (Valid).
This note was produced using fine-line steel engraving, the standard security printing method for formal monetary and debt instruments in the early 20th century. The intricate border patterns, allegorical figures, and repeating ornamental designs on the reverse demonstrate the high-quality intaglio work characteristic of municipal scrip from this era. The fine line work and geometric precision visible throughout would have required skilled engraving plates and professional printing equipment, likely produced by a Colombian or regional security printer, though specific printer attribution is not documented in available catalog data.
This example is identified as Series C, serial number 2367. The note is dated 'DE 1921' with signatures/titles for 'EL ALCALDE DE LA CIUDAD' (Mayor), 'PRESIDENTE DEL CONCEJO' (Council President), and 'PERSONERO MUNICIPAL' (Municipal Officer), though specific signatory names are not fully legible. The presence of archival preservation holes suggests this note has institutional provenance. No known multiple varieties of this particular municipal issue have been documented in standard catalogs, though different series (A, B, C, etc.) and signature variations likely exist among surviving examples.
