10 colones 1946

Common. This is a regular issue note from the standard circulation series of the 1946 emission by the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica. eBay market data from 2016 shows VF examples selling for approximately $40 and UNC examples at $200, indicating healthy but not exceptional collector demand. The note was printed in significant quantities by ABNC as a standard denomination for the 1942-1949 issue period. No evidence of limited print runs, early withdrawal, or recall status exists. The EF condition grade places it in the desirable mid-range for collectors but does not elevate scarcity.

This note was issued during the immediate post-World War II period when Costa Rica was reasserting its economic identity through the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica. The "William Le Lacheur" depicted on the reverse commemorates the era of direct maritime coffee shipments to London, reflecting Costa Rica's historical dependence on and pride in coffee exports as a cornerstone of the national economy. Manuel José García García's portrait on the obverse represents the political leadership of this transitional era, when Central American nations were modernizing their currency designs and establishing stronger banking institutions.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter profile portrait of Manuel José García García, President of Costa Rica, positioned within an ornate oval frame on the left side of the note. The background employs an orange and red color palette with baroque-style decorative elements, including distinctive 'X' symbols positioned in all four corners within elaborate cartouches. The central denomination "10" is housed within a decorative oval medallion. The reverse showcases a detailed engraving of the three-masted merchant schooner "William Le Lacheur" in full sail, rendered with fine nautical detail showing the vessel on open water with complex rigging and canvas. The reverse employs a predominantly dark blue color scheme with cream and white accents, maintaining the ornamental corner 'X' symbols and baroque flourishes consistent with the obverse design. Both sides feature the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica issuing authority and American Bank Note Company printer attribution.

OBVERSE: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (National Bank of Costa Rica) | Departamento Emisor (Issuing Department) | Serie G (Series G) | San Jose, Costa Rica | 16 de Octubre de 1946 (October 16, 1946) | Diez Colones (Ten Colones) | Manuel José García García (name of depicted person) | Presidente de la Republica (President of the Republic) | Nº 7 (Number 7) | Subgerente del Banco (Sub-manager of the Bank) | American Bank Note Company | Serial Number: 337985. REVERSE: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (National Bank of Costa Rica) | Departamento Emisor (Issuing Department) | Goleta "William Le Lacheur" (Schooner 'William Le Lacheur') | Exportacion Directa de Café a Londres (Direct Export of Coffee to London) | 10 Diez Colones 10 (10 Ten Colones 10) | American Bank Note Company.

This note was produced using intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing method employed by the American Bank Note Company. The visual analysis reveals intricate fine-line work, complex decorative patterns, and the characteristic sharp detail and dimensional quality achievable only through intaglio printing. The multicolor printing on both obverse and reverse, combined with the elaborate baroque borders and detailed portrait and ship renderings, demonstrates the sophisticated multi-plate printing process typical of ABNC's high-security banknote production during this era.

This note is catalogued as Pick P-210b, indicating it is a variant distinct from P-210a. Both variants were printed by the American Bank Note Company. The visual analysis shows this specimen carries the signature title "SUB-GERENTE" overprint at right, consistent with the P-210b variant designation noted in collector references. The note bears Series G designation and displays the signature authority "Nº 7" as noted on the obverse. The specific date of October 16, 1946, on this example places it within the documented issue date range of 1946-1949 for this Pick number.