2 colones 1967

Common. While this is a provisional series note (which can occasionally carry collector premiums), eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $20–$74 range depending on grade, with UNC examples selling for approximately $40–$62. The note's accessibility in the secondary market, coupled with apparent availability of multiple examples across various grades, indicates it was printed in reasonable quantities. The provisional designation and early date make it somewhat interesting historically, but circulation and collector demand place it firmly in the common category.

Issued on December 5, 1967, this provisional series note reflects Costa Rica's monetary transition during the 1960s, when the Banco Central de Costa Rica was consolidating note-issuing authority. The reverse's depiction of the Pila de la Plaza Principal—a famous San José landmark—connects the currency to the nation's cultural heritage and capital city identity. The 'SERIE PROVISIONAL' overprint indicates this was a transitional issue, likely printed to bridge circulation demands while new regular-series designs were being finalized.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Joaquín Bernardo Calvo, a prominent Costa Rican statesman, positioned centrally and surrounded by ornate scrollwork and floral decorative elements typical of the era's high-security engraving. Large decorative Roman numerals 'II' appear in all four corners within ornamental frames. The note is printed in warm pink/magenta and cream tones, creating an elegant appearance. The reverse displays an exquisitely engraved landscape scene depicting the Pila (fountain) at the center of San José's Plaza Principal, with surrounding trees, architectural elements, and tiered plaza structures rendered through fine cross-hatching and line work characteristic of intaglio engraving. The same corner ornamentals with Roman numerals 'II' appear on the reverse in black and white/gray tones.

FRONT: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); 'SERIE PROVISIONAL' (Provisional Series); 'SERIE F' (Series F); '5 de diciembre de 1957' (December 5, 1957) [NOTE: Image shows 1957 but catalog indicates 1967—likely 1967 is correct]; 'SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA' (San José, Costa Rica); 'ACUERDO DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO' (Agreement of the Directive Council); 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA GENERAL' (The President of the General Board of Directors); 'EL GERENTE GENERAL DEL BANCO' (The General Manager of the Bank); 'DOS COLONES' (Two Colones); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution). BACK: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA' (National Bank of Costa Rica); 'DEPARTAMENTO EMISOR' (Issuing Department); 'PILA DE LA PLAZA PRINCIPAL DE SAN JOSÉ' (Fountain of the Main Plaza of San José); 'DOS COLONES' (Two Colones); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).

Intaglio (steel engraving) on all design elements, printed by the American Bank Note Company of New York, one of the world's premier currency printers. The fine line work, complex cross-hatching, ornamental details, and sharp definition of portrait and landscape elements are characteristic of traditional intaglio currency production. Multi-color printing on the obverse (pink/magenta and cream base) with black overprint for text elements; reverse printed in black on a light background.

This note is identified as Pick P-235 and is confirmed as Series F (SERIE F). The visual analysis identifies this as part of the provisional series ('SERIE PROVISIONAL') with an overprint on what appears to be a Banco Nacional base design, indicating a transition between issuing authorities. The serial number visible in the image (1888459) suggests standard serial numbering. No other significant varieties (such as signature variants or major overprint differences) are apparent from the visual analysis, though the 'SERIE F' designation may indicate series-level variations exist within the P-235 classification.