25 colones 1980

Common. This note is readily available in the collector market at modest valuations. eBay sales data indicates UNC examples consistently sell in the $24-36 range, with even graded examples (PMG 65-67) commanding only $53-80. The print run for this series was substantial, evidenced by the availability of multiple series (at least Series AD visible here) and the prevalence of these notes in secondary markets. The catalog value of $25 UNC aligns with actual market performance, confirming this as a standard circulation issue with no scarcity premiums.

Issued during El Salvador's late Cold War period, this 1980 note reflects the country's economic infrastructure development through its prominent depiction of the Port of Acajutla, the nation's primary Pacific shipping facility crucial for coffee and agricultural exports. The inclusion of Christopher Columbus on the reverse emphasizes the historical and cultural continuity of Central America within the Spanish colonial legacy, a common thematic choice for banknotes of Latin American nations during this era. The note's 1979-1980 issue period coincides with significant political and economic turbulence in El Salvador, making this series representative of a pivotal moment in the country's modern history.

The obverse features an aerial engraved view of the Port of Acajutla, El Salvador's primary Pacific shipping facility, depicted with cargo vessels moored at dock infrastructure, warehouses, and industrial structures rendered in fine detail. The design incorporates decorative corner ornaments displaying the denomination '25' in all four corners, with intricate geometric and floral border patterns framing the composition. The reverse presents a formal engraved portrait of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) in a classical medallion format, surrounded by a decorative circular frame with halo effects, flanked by the national seal on the left side. Both sides feature the denomination prominently and incorporate the standard Spanish-language inscriptions of the Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador, with signature blocks reserved for authorized officials. The color scheme contrasts gray-green tones on the obverse with predominantly blue and white on the reverse, creating visual distinction between the two sides.

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) / 'SAN SALVADOR, 19 DE JUNIO DE 1980' (San Salvador, June 19, 1980) / 'SERIE AD' (Series AD) / 'VEINTICINCO COLONES' (Twenty-five colones) / 'PUERTO DE ACAJUTLA' (Port of Acajutla) / Serial number: 2088467 / Signature blocks: 'DIRECTOR' (Director), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'GERENTE' (Manager). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador) / 'VEINTICINCO COLONES' (Twenty-five colones) / 'CRISTOBAL COLON' (Christopher Columbus) / 'San Salvador, 10 de Diciembre de 1980.' (San Salvador, December 10, 1980) / 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED' (printer attribution).

This note was produced using intaglio engraving and letterpress printing by Thomas de la Rue & Company Limited, London, the world's premier banknote security printer. The fine line work visible throughout the design—particularly in the portrait medallion, border patterns, and corner ornaments—is characteristic of high-quality intaglio engraving, which creates the distinctive tactile relief and sharp detail that defines premium banknote production. The multicolored underprinting appears to have been applied via offset lithography prior to the intaglio overprinting, a standard technique used by De la Rue for this era of Central American currency production. Security features include intricate microprint elements within the decorative borders, complex geometric patterns resistant to photocopying, and the fine engraving itself serving as the primary anti-counterfeiting measure.

This specific note is Series AD, dated June 19, 1980 (obverse) and December 10, 1980 (reverse), with serial number 2088467. The dual dating on obverse and reverse is characteristic of this issue. Pick P-130b designation indicates this is the 'b' variety of the 1980 25 Colones type—variations typically relate to signature blocks, dates, or security features. The electronic sorting serial number mentioned in catalog references suggests this series incorporated early machine-readable security features. No significant scarcity variants are noted; all dated examples from 1979-1980 appear to be commonly encountered.