10 colones 1941

Common. The 10 Colones denomination from the 1941 Banco Nacional de Costa Rica issue was part of a standard circulating currency series with substantial print runs. No evidence exists of a small or recalled emission. While the note is now 80+ years old and shows normal circulation wear, the denomination and date fall within the typical range of widely produced Central American currency from this period. The AU condition grade reflects light circulation rather than exceptional scarcity, which would be noted if this were a rare printing variety.

This note commemorates Costa Rica's transition to modern currency administration under the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, established in 1940. The portrait of Desiderio Florencio del Castillo references his historical role as Costa Rica's deputy to the Spanish Cortes of Cádiz in 1810, symbolizing the nation's connection to its Spanish colonial independence movement. The reverse depicts an indigenous Cacique, honoring Costa Rica's pre-Columbian heritage and establishing a thematic connection between the nation's indigenous past and its developing modern statehood in the 1940s.

This banknote exemplifies early 20th-century Central American currency design with sophisticated dual-portrait composition. The obverse features Desiderio Florencio del Castillo (1761-1834), a significant figure in Costa Rican colonial history, rendered in formal attire against ornate blue and pink decorative borders with wave patterns. The reverse depicts a historically stylized indigenous Cacique (chief) in traditional regalia including a prominent feathered headdress and holding a ceremonial spear, framed within an ornate oval cartouche. Both sides are anchored by Roman numeral X denominations in decorative corner circles and elaborate rosette patterns in the margins. The color scheme—dominated by blue, pink, green, and cream tones—reflects the aesthetic standards of 1940s British security printing. The overall design emphasizes Costa Rica's dual heritage: Spanish colonial governance and indigenous cultural continuity.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA' (National Bank of Costa Rica) / 'DEPARTAMENTO EMISOR' (Issuing Department) / 'SERIE F' (Series F) / Serial number: '359563' (appears twice) / 'SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA' / '26 de Marzo de 1941' (26th of March, 1941) / 'ACUERDO DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO Nº 7' (Agreement of the Board of Directors No. 7) / 'DESIDERIO FLORENCIO DEL CASTILLO DIPUTADO POR COSTA RICA A LAS CORTES DE CÁDIZ DE 1810' (Desiderio Florencio del Castillo Deputy for Costa Rica to the Cortes of Cádiz of 1810) / 'DIEZ COLONES' (Ten Colones) / 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDRES' (Waterlow & Sons Limited, London). REVERSE SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA' (National Bank of Costa Rica) / 'DEPARTAMENTO EMISOR' (Issuing Department) / 'DIEZ COLONES' (Ten Colones) / 'CACIQUE INDIO DE COSTA RICA' (Indian Chief/Cacique of Costa Rica) / 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDRES' (Waterlow & Sons Limited, London).

This note was produced using intaglio engraving (line engraving and stipple engraving), the premier security printing method of the era. Waterlow & Sons Limited, one of the world's leading security printers based in London, executed the design. The intricate fine-line work visible throughout—particularly in the decorative borders, facial features of both portraits, and background patterns—is characteristic of intaglio production. The multicolor effect was achieved through multiple printing passes, with different colored inks applied in separate engravings (blue, pink, red, and green). The precision of the line work and the complexity of the ornamental elements provided substantial anti-counterfeiting security for the period.

This specimen represents Series F (SERIE F as inscribed) of the 1941 issue, with serial number 359563. The note is dated 26 de Marzo de 1941 (March 26, 1941), which corresponds to the board resolution date (Acuerdo del Consejo Directivo Nº 7). Waterlow & Sons Limited imprint is present as the printer. No overprints or signature variations are apparent from the visual analysis. The Pick P-205a designation indicates this is the standard variety of this issue; any P-205b or higher variants would reflect different printer marks, series letters, or security feature changes not evident in this example.