10 colones 1970

Common. This is a standard regular-issue banknote from a well-established central bank with no documented short print run. The eBay price history provided shows consistent trading in the $12–$26 range for UNC examples (averaging ~$22–$24), with occasional higher sales (PMG 67–68 specimens reaching $58–$310). These market prices, typical for this note type, indicate it was printed in substantial quantities and remains readily available to collectors. The note is not scarce in the market.

Issued in 1970 during Costa Rica's economic development period, this note commemorates two significant national figures and institutions: Rodrigo Facio Brenes, an influential Costa Rican intellectual and political figure, and the Banco Central de Costa Rica building in San José, which symbolized the country's institutional financial modernization. The note's design reflects the late 1960s-early 1970s trend of Central American central banks adopting modern architectural imagery and promoting national identity through currency.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Rodrigo Facio Brenes (1917-1997), Costa Rican economist, politician, and intellectual, positioned within a decorative oval frame on the right side of the note. The design employs intricate intaglio engraving with blue predominating, complemented by beige undertones. Ornamental corner elements with floral/leaf motifs and scalloped borders frame the composition. The denomination '10' appears prominently in all four corners and within a central ornamental oval. The reverse depicts the modernist Banco Central de Costa Rica building in San José, rendered in architectural perspective with distinctive vertical ribbing on its facade, characteristic of mid-20th century institutional design. Shell or fan-shaped radiating designs appear in the decorative corners. Both sides demonstrate the high-quality security engraving typical of American Bank Note Company work during this period.

FRONT: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica) | 'DIEZ COLONES' (Ten Colones) | 'RODRIGO FACIO B.' (Rodrigo Facio B., portrait nameplate) | 'SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA' (San Jose, Costa Rica) | 'SERIE C' (Series C) | '30 de junio de 1979' (June 30, 1979 — board authorization date) | 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA No. 17' (Board Directive Agreement No. 17) | 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA' (The President of the Board of Directors) | 'EL GERENTE DEL BANCO' (The Bank Manager) | 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution) | Serial number 'C2911119' (red printed). BACK: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica) | 'DIEZ' (Ten) | 'DIEZ COLONES' (Ten Colones) | 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).

Intaglio (copperplate) engraving, the standard security printing method employed by the American Bank Note Company. The fine line work, complex background patterns, portrait rendering, and architectural detail visible in both images are hallmarks of intaglio production. No evidence of offset printing or lithography is present; the depth and crispness of the engraved lines confirm this traditional technique, which provides superior counterfeit resistance.

This is specifically Pick catalog P-230b (Series C variant), one of three documented varieties for the 1970 10 Colones note (P-230a, P-230b, and P-230s also exist). The 'SERIE C' designation visible on the obverse confirms the P-230b variety. The note's issue date of June 30, 1979 appears on the face as a board authorization reference (ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA No. 17), though the official currency issuance year remains 1970. Serial number C2911119 (red printed) is consistent with Series C production.