2 pesos 1973

Common. The eBay sales data provided shows consistent low valuations with multiple UNC examples selling between $1.25 and $3.45 over a decade-long period, with even professionally graded PMG 65-67 specimens typically bringing $10-32. The 1972-1977 issue series had substantial print runs to support Colombia's circulating currency needs. Current catalog value cited at $5 UNC further confirms this as a standard, readily available note from a mainstream issue.

This 1973 issue commemorates a pivotal period in Colombian monetary modernization, issued January 1, 1973 by Banco de la República. Policarpa Salavarrieta (1795-1817), depicted on the obverse, was a Colombian patriot and spy executed during the independence wars, making her portrait a powerful symbol of national struggle. The reverse's Muisca raft (El Dorado legend) references the Gold Museum's most famous artifact, symbolizing Colombia's pre-Columbian civilization and the nation's cultural heritage during a period of post-conflict national rebuilding.

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Policarpa Salavarrieta, the Colombian independence martyr, rendered in classical engraving style against an intricate purple and multicolored background. The design incorporates extensive guilloche patterning, geometric security elements, and ornamental corner designs with decorative numerals '2'. The reverse displays a circular portrait at top center (the Muisca raft goddess figure from the Gold Museum artifact) with an elaborate scene below depicting the famous pre-Columbian golden raft with its figures and ceremonial elements. Both sides feature brown, pink, green, and yellow tones with fine-line engraving work throughout, demonstrating the high security standards of 1970s Colombian currency design.

FRONT: 'EL BANCO DE LA REPUBLICA' (The Bank of the Republic), 'PAGARA AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to bearer), 'DOS PESOS ORO' (Two pesos gold), 'POLICARPA SALAVARRIETA' (name of depicted patriot), '1º DE ENERO DE 1973' (January 1st, 1973), 'BOGOTA, COLOMBIA' (place of issue), 'GERENTE' (Manager), 'SECRETARIO' (Secretary), Serial number: 75684402. BACK: 'BANCO DE LA REPUBLICA' (Bank of the Republic), 'DOS PESOS ORO' (Two pesos gold), 'BALSA- ESTILO MUISCA' (Raft - Muisca style), 'MUSEO DEL ORO' (Gold Museum).

Intaglio (recess) printing with multicolor capability, typical of Banco de la República note production in the 1970s. The elaborate guilloche backgrounds, fine line work, microprint areas, and color-shifting security elements visible in the visual analysis are characteristic of advanced intaglio security printing. The note was likely produced by the Colombian national bank's printing facilities or contracted to a specialized security printer, employing the standard multi-plate color separation technique used for Colombian peso notes of this era.

The visual analysis confirms this is the P-413a variety (standard issue). The Pick catalog lists two variants for this base number (P-413a and P-413s), with the 's' variant likely representing specimen notes. The observed note exhibits the regular issue characteristics with no overprints or special markings. The date shown is '1º DE ENERO DE 1973' (January 1, 1973), consistent with the 1973 catalog date, though the broader issue period spans 1972-1977 as noted in external references. Serial number 75684402 represents a typical production number from the regular circulation issue.