20 colones 1981

Common. This is a standard circulation issue from the regular production run of Costa Rican 20 colones notes (1978-1983). The Series C designation with sequential serial numbering indicates high-volume printing. eBay market data shows consistent sales of UNC specimens ranging from $2 to $11.41, with typical prices clustering around $3-4 for raw UNC notes and $20-60 for professionally graded examples (PMG 64-66). The relatively modest prices for certified high-grade examples and abundant supply of raw notes in the secondary market confirm this is a common issue with no scarcity premium.

Issued by the Banco Central de Costa Rica during the administration of President Rodrigo Carazo Odio, this banknote honors Cleto González Víquez, a significant Costa Rican statesman and former president, with the reverse inscription 'BARVA, CUNA DEL PROCER' (Barva, Cradle of the Patriot) identifying his birthplace. The allegorical Justice scene on the reverse reflects Costa Rica's strong democratic institutions and rule of law traditions, themes central to the nation's political identity in the post-1978 period. This printing represents the Central Bank's modernization of its currency design during the early 1980s.

The obverse features a detailed engraved portrait of Cleto González Víquez, an influential Costa Rican president and patriotic figure, positioned on the left in formal attire with characteristic beard, rendered in profile facing left. The right side depicts the colonial architecture of Barva with a distinctive palm tree and mountain backdrop, identified by the inscription 'BARVA, CUNA DEL PROCER,' establishing the geographic and historical significance of Víquez's birthplace. The reverse presents an elaborate allegorical composition representing Justice, with a central female figure in white robes elevated above supporting figures in classical dress, suggesting judicial authority and legal proceedings. Large ornamental numerals '20' frame the design elements, while geometric guilloche patterns in green provide security embellishment. The color palette of light brown, green, red, tan, and black creates a sophisticated, multicolored underprint effect characteristic of ABNC engraving work.

Front side: '20' / 'VEINTE COLONES' (Twenty Colones) / '2 de diciembre de 1981' (December 2, 1981) / 'SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA' (San José, Costa Rica) / 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica) / 'SERIE C' (Series C) / 'C1978124' (Serial number) / 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA N° 10' (Directive Board Agreement No. 10) / 'CLETO GONZALEZ VIQUEZ' (Name of portrayed statesman) / 'BARVA, CUNA DEL PROCER' (Barva, Cradle of the Patriot) / 'PRESIDENTE EJECUTIVO' (Executive President — signature line) / 'GERENTE' (Manager — signature line). Back side: '20' (repeated denomination) / 'VEINTE COLONES' (Twenty Colones) / 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica).

Intaglio engraving (banknote engraving) produced by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) without imprint notation on the note itself. The visual evidence of elaborate line work, fine geometric patterns, complex guilloche designs, and the characteristic depth and detail of the portrait and allegorical scene confirm intaglio/gravure printing. Multiple colored inks were applied in separate passes to create the multicolored effect, with green and red security elements layered over the primary brown impression.

This note is identified as Series C from the 1978-1983 production period, with the specific date of December 2, 1981 on the obverse. The serial number format 'C1978124' indicates Series C with sequential numbering. Known varieties of the 20 colones Pick P-238c include different series designations (A, B, C identified in catalog references), with Series C being one of the later printings. The signature varieties correspond to different Central Bank management periods. No security thread is present on this issue, consistent with Costa Rican banknote specifications of the period. This particular example represents the standard Series C variety with standard signatures for the Executive President (PRESIDENTE EJECUTIVO) and Manager (GERENTE) positions.