10 colones 1983 specimen
Market Prices
15 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1983 specimen note of 10 colones from El Salvador's Central Reserve Bank, printed by the American Bank Note Company. The note features Manuel José Arce on the obverse and Christopher Columbus on the reverse, both rendered in fine intaglio engraving with distinctive black and gray tones. As a specimen note marked 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' (specimen without value), this piece is of particular interest to collectors of Central American currency and specimen banknotes, with pristine condition and sharp detail throughout.
Common. Despite being designated as a specimen note, this denomination and series was produced in substantial quantities by ABNC for the Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador. Market data from eBay shows consistent availability of UNC examples selling in the $13–$30 range across multiple transactions from 2014–2021, with an established catalogue value of $15 for UNC condition. The regular issue status and multiple production runs (confirmed in catalog references to related 1983 and 1988 issues) further support a common classification.
This note was issued in 1983 during a period of significant political and economic turbulence in El Salvador, marked by civil conflict and currency instability. The depicted portrait of Manuel José Arce, El Salvador's first president (1823-1828), represents the nation's foundational period and early republican identity. The reverse features Christopher Columbus, connecting El Salvador to the broader colonial history and European exploration narrative that shaped Central American development.
The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Manuel José Arce positioned at center-right, depicted in formal 19th-century dress with high collar and jacket. The design incorporates ornamental corner elements displaying the denomination '10', a large decorative circular rosette security element at center-left, and a central seal with radiating pattern. The reverse displays a circular medallion portrait of Christopher Columbus in profile, facing right, wearing 18th-century period clothing with long curled hair, surrounded by an ornate decorative frame. Radiating fan or feather-like pattern elements flank the central portrait on both sides. Both sides employ predominantly black and gray printing on a cream-colored base stock, with the front bearing a red diagonal overprint indicating specimen status.
FRONT SIDE: 'EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador); 'PAGARÁ EN EFECTIVO AL PORTADOR' (Will pay in cash to the bearer); 'DIEZ COLONES' (Ten Colones); 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' (Specimen without value); 'SERIE GA' (Series GA); Serial number '0000000'; 'PRESIDENTE' (President); 'DIRECTOR' (Director); 'MANUEL JOSÉ ARCE' (Manuel José Arce); 'SAN SALVADOR, 25 DE AGOSTO DE 1983' (San Salvador, August 25, 1983); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador); 'DIEZ COLONES' (Ten Colones); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company); Production code '14/83-022'.
Intaglio engraving (taille-douce), characteristic of the American Bank Note Company's premium currency production methods. The fine line work, intricate geometric patterns, decorative borders, and complex portrait rendering are all hallmarks of traditional intaglio printing. The sharp detail and crisp registration visible throughout both sides confirm professional security printer standards.
This is specifically the specimen variety (Pick P-135s), as indicated by the 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' overprint and serial number zeros (0000000). The catalog data references Pick P-135b as another variant, though PMG population reports show limited professional grading activity. Series GA with zero serial numbers is characteristic of specimen and presentation notes. The production code '14/83-022' visible on the reverse provides printer tracking information from ABNC's August 1983 production run.
