20 colones 1966

Common. This note was part of a regular issue spanning 1964-1970 with a substantial print run, as evidenced by the eBay market data showing consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades over more than a decade (2010-2023). Notes regularly sell in the $15-119 range depending on condition, with VF and AUNC examples consistently appearing on the market at modest prices ($31-78). The AU-graded example observed here falls within typical pricing expectations ($60-80 based on 2019 catalog values and recent AUNC sales), indicating no scarcity premium.

This banknote commemorates Costa Rica's intellectual and political heritage during the 1960s. Clodomir Picado T., depicted on the obverse, was a prominent Costa Rican president and statesman, while the reverse features the Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, named after another important Costa Rican political figure and representing the nation's investment in higher education during this period of post-war development and modernization.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Clodomir Picado T., a distinguished Costa Rican statesman, positioned centrally within an ornate circular frame with a decorative engraved border. The portrait depicts him in formal business attire (dark suit jacket and tie), facing forward in three-quarter view. Flanking the portrait on both sides are large decorative rosette or sunburst medallions with intricate scrollwork, characteristic of high-security currency design. The denomination '20' appears in multiple locations, and the entire design is rendered in intaglio engraving with warm brown and tan tones on a light cream underprint. The reverse depicts the Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio (Rodrigo Facio University City), specifically showing the Facultad de Educación (Faculty of Education building) as a modern institutional architecture complex from the 1960s era. The landscape illustration includes cypress trees, manicured grounds, and architectural structures characteristic of mid-century institutional design, with matching rosette medallions flanking the scene. Both sides feature complex ornamental border patterns and fine line work typical of prestigious currency production.

FRONT: '20' and 'VEINTE COLONES' (Twenty Colones - denomination); 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica - issuer); 'B1522867' (Serial number, Series B); '29 de agosto de 1966' (August 29, 1966 - issue date); 'SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA' (Location); 'CLODOMIR PICADO' (Portrait identification); 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA Nº 8' (Board of Directors Agreement No. 8); 'Florayo Vaca.' (Signature - President of the Board of Directors); 'EL PRESIDENTE DEL BANCO' (The President of the Bank). BACK: '20' and 'VEINTE COLONES' (Denomination); 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Issuer); 'FACULTAD DE EDUCACIÓN' (Faculty of Education); 'CIUDAD UNIVERSITARIA RODRIGO FACIO' (Rodrigo Facio University City - landmark); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED.' (Printer identification).

Intaglio (engraved) printing on multicolored underprint, executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited of London. The technique is evidenced by the deep, detailed line work visible in the portrait, decorative medallions, border patterns, and architectural illustration. The fine detail preservation despite circulation wear demonstrates the durability and quality of this printing method, characteristic of De La Rue's security printing standards.

Series B variant, as indicated by the 'SERIE B' marking visible on the obverse. The serial number B1522867 confirms this is part of the Series B printing. The specific date of August 29, 1966 matches the collector note provided in the catalog data. No known major varieties (overprints, signature varieties, or printing errors) are evident from the visual analysis, suggesting this is a standard issue note within the normal 1964-1970 production window.