1 colon 1964

Common. eBay price tracking data from realbanknotes.com shows consistent market activity with VF examples regularly selling in the $25-35 range and UNC examples catalogued at $30 (2019 values). The catalog value of $30 for UNC and eBay sales activity indicating numerous transactions across multiple years demonstrates this is a readily available note in the secondary market. The large print run by ABNC for this 1964 issue, combined with the note's circulated condition and the absence of any recall or special scarcity factors, confirms common status.

This note was issued on September 8, 1964, during a period of economic development in El Salvador when the country was modernizing its currency design. The imagery celebrates the nation's agricultural heritage, with the farmer and oxen symbolizing the rural economy that was central to El Salvador's identity at the time. The portrait on the reverse (Christopher Columbus, per catalog references) connects the nation's colonial heritage to its contemporary economic identity, a common design choice for Central American currencies during this era.

The obverse features a central vignette of a farmer with yoke of oxen plowing a cultivated field, representing El Salvador's agricultural economy. The composition is framed by ornate baroque-style borders with decorative corner elements displaying the numeral '1'. The palette of pink and rose with dark gray and black line work creates visual depth and sophistication typical of ABNC's mid-20th-century style. The reverse presents a formal portrait bust of Christopher Columbus in profile facing right, enclosed within an ornamental circular medallion with elaborate scrollwork and flourishes. Large ornate numeral '1' elements appear in the corners. The coral-red background with cream-white center panel creates strong visual contrast. Both sides bear the issuing bank's formal inscription and printer attribution.

Front: 'EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador) | 'SAN SALVADOR' (San Salvador - location) | 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to bearer) | 'UN COLON' (One Colón) | '80 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1964' (September 8, 1964) | 'DIRECTOR' (Director - signature line) | 'PRESIDENTE' (President - signature line) | 'CAJERO' (Cashier - signature line) | 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution) | Serial number: '1941280' | 'SERIE FB' (Series FB). Back: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador) | '1' (denomination numeral, repeated) | 'septiembre de 1964' (September 1964) | 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of American Bank Note Company's production standards. The fine line engraving is evident throughout both sides, particularly in the detailed border work, the agricultural scene's rendering, and the portrait bust. The multi-color printing involved separate passes for the background colors (pink/rose on obverse, coral-red on reverse) with black intaglio engraving for primary design elements and text. Security features are limited to the intricate engraving work itself, reflecting the security standards of 1964.

Series FB is indicated on the obverse. The serial number 1941280 represents this specific example. Pick catalog lists this as a regular issue with no major varieties documented. The note was issued in September 1964 with standard signature lines for Director, President, and Cashier positions. No overprints, color variants, or other major varieties are evident from this specimen.