1 colon 1918
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1 saleAbout This Note
This is a 1918 Costa Rican 1 Colón note issued by the Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, printed by the American Bank Note Company. The note displays the characteristic classical allegorical design of early 20th-century Costa Rican currency, with a robed male figure on the obverse and a female Liberty profile on the reverse. In Fair condition, the note shows significant age-related wear including creasing, foxing, and darkening of the paper consistent with heavy circulation, yet the fine engraving remains legible and the multicolor printing is still discernible.
Common. The 1918 Costa Rican 1 Colón (P-158a) is a standard circulation issue from a 17-year emission period (1918-1935). Market data from realbanknotes.com shows 2016 catalogue values of $7 (G), $25 (F), and $75 (EF), with the note observed here in Fair condition valued at approximately $25. The modest pricing and extended issue period indicate this is a common banknote despite its age. No evidence of short print runs, recalls, or scarcity exists for this Pick number.
This note was issued during the early 20th century when the Banco Internacional de Costa Rica held currency emission rights, reflecting the period's adoption of classical allegorical imagery for currency design. The inscriptions promise payment 'in minted gold currency' (en moneda acuñada de oro), reflecting the gold standard era before currency backing was abandoned. The American Bank Note Company printing signifies Costa Rica's reliance on the leading U.S. security printer of the era, a common practice among Central American nations seeking professional currency production.
The obverse features a classical robed male allegorical figure seated at center, likely representing authority, justice, or national virtue in the neoclassical tradition. The denomination 'UNO' appears in shield-shaped cartouches on either side. The reverse displays a classical female profile facing right, representing Liberty, flanked by winged shield cartouches containing 'UN COLON'. Both sides are framed by ornate decorative borders featuring floral scrollwork, corner medallions, and heraldic motifs typical of American Bank Note Company security printing. The note uses tan, black, and green on the obverse; navy blue and cream on the reverse. Red serial numbers appear on the front.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO INTERNACIONAL DE COSTA RICA' / 'EL BANCO INTERNACIONAL DE COSTA RICA' (The International Bank of Costa Rica); 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR LA CANTIDAD DE' (Will pay the bearer the amount of); 'UNO' / 'UN COOLON' (One Colon); 'EN MONEDA ACUÑADA DE ORO' (In minted gold currency); 'SERIE A' (Series A); 'SAN JOSE' (San Jose); Serial number '182407'; 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (New York printer). BACK SIDE: 'UN COLON' (One Colon); 'BANCO INTERNACIONAL DE COSTA RICA' (The International Bank of Costa Rica); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY'.
Intaglio engraving (steel plate or stone engraving) as produced by the American Bank Note Company, New York. The fine line engraving visible throughout both sides, complex decorative border patterns, and detailed portraiture are characteristic of intaglio security printing. The multicolor underprint and overprint technique employed reflects the company's standard security printing methods for Latin American currency in the 1918-1935 issuance period.
This note is catalogued as P-158a, the primary variety of this denomination and issuer. The PMG population report indicates three catalogued variants exist (P-158a, P-158c, P-158s), though specific distinguishing characteristics between these variants are not detailed in available references. The observed specimen displays 'SERIE A' marking and serial number 182407 in red. The specific date on the note (whether 9.10.1918 or 21.10.1918 as noted in realbanknotes.com reference data) would further clarify the exact variety, but the visual analysis indicates this is a standard P-158a emission from 1918.
