2 colones 1957

Common. The eBay price tracking data shows recent VF condition sales at $88 (2024) and historical catalog values from 2016 indicating VF notes at $10, with UNC at $50. These modest price points and the apparent regular circulation of this note type strongly indicate a common issue with substantial print runs. The note was issued by a stable central bank in regular production runs and shows no evidence of being recalled, short-lived, or produced in limited quantities. No significant rarity factors are evident for Pick 91b in any condition grade.

This note was issued during a period of economic development in El Salvador, when the country's agricultural wealth—particularly coffee production—was central to its identity and prosperity. The prominent depiction of field workers and crops on the obverse reflects the nation's dependence on agricultural exports, while the inclusion of Christopher Columbus on the reverse honors the colonial heritage and European connection significant to Central American identity during the mid-20th century. The note's design and the formal constitutional language emphasizing the Central Bank's authority represent the modernization of El Salvador's monetary system in the 1950s.

The obverse features a picturesque scene of coffee cultivation on the left side, depicting field workers among coffee bushes and tropical vegetation, symbolizing El Salvador's primary agricultural export and economic foundation. A large decorative floral medallion in red and black dominates the center, flanked by ornate corner frames containing the denomination numeral '2'. The reverse displays a formal portrait of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) in profile facing left, enclosed within an oval medallion with elaborate decorative borders. To the left of the portrait is the coat of arms of El Salvador within a circular seal, representing national sovereignty. The denomination '2' repeats in all four corners of the reverse, each within ornamental frames. Both sides feature extensive guilloche patterns and fine engraved detailing throughout.

FRONT: 'EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (The Central Bank of Reserve of El Salvador) / 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to bearer) / 'DOS COLONES' (Two colones) / 'SERIE ZE' (Series ZE) / 'DE ACUERDO CON EL ARTÍCULO 58 DE SU LEY CONSTITUTIVA' (In accordance with article 58 of its constitutive law) / '23 DE ENERO DE 1957' (January 23, 1957) / 'SAN SALVADOR' / Serial number 4024538 / 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDRES' (Waterlow & Sons Limited, London). BACK: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Bank of Reserve of El Salvador) / 'DOS COLONES' (Two colones) / 'CRISTOBAL COLON' (Christopher Columbus) / 'San Salvador, 1 de Setiembre de 1958' (San Salvador, September 1, 1958) / 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDRES' (Waterlow & Sons Limited, London) / 'Ministerio de Hacienda' (Ministry of Finance).

Intaglio (engraved) printing by Waterlow & Sons Limited, a renowned British security printer. The visual analysis confirms the characteristic fine line work, cross-hatching, and complex guilloche patterns typical of high-security intaglio banknote production. The intricate detail visible in both the agricultural scene and the portrait, along with the ornamental borders and decorative elements, are hallmarks of the steel engraving process used for premium banknote production during this period. The paper includes a metal thread and watermark reading 'BANCO CENTRAL' for additional security.

This example is the Series ZE variety with issue date of January 23, 1957 (front date) and September 1, 1958 (back date), consistent with Pick 91b. The serial number 4024538 is present. The catalog notes indicate this Pick number encompasses issues from both 1955 and 1958, suggesting multiple printing runs or date variants exist. The specific series designation 'ZE' may represent a later printing variant, as multiple series designations typically indicate different production batches within the same Pick number classification. No signature variants or significant overprints are visible on this example.