25 colones 1978 specimen

Common. While specimen notes command premiums over circulating examples, the 1978 25 colones (Pick P-130s) is not rare. eBay market data shows UNC specimens ranging from $39.99 to $229.00 USD with a 2019 catalog value of $90, indicating steady dealer availability and regular collector market presence. The note was produced during an active 1978-1980 issuance period by a major printer, and specimen examples were intentionally preserved in institutional collections, resulting in adequate supply for the numismatic market.

Issued by the Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador on May 11, 1978, this banknote reflects El Salvador's economic identity through its depiction of Puerto de Acajutla, the nation's primary Pacific port facility vital to its agricultural and commercial trade. The reverse honors Christopher Columbus, connecting El Salvador to the broader Spanish colonial heritage of Central America and commemorating the historical European exploration that shaped the region's development.

The obverse features a detailed landscape engraving of Puerto de Acajutla depicting a cargo vessel docked at the port facility with water and shoreline in the background, rendered in gray and black with light blue accents, surrounded by ornamental corner elements displaying the denomination '25' and decorative filigree borders. The reverse is dominated by blue coloring and showcases a formal circular medallion portrait of Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) in period dress with characteristic long, curled hair, flanked by ornamental corner designs with the denomination '25' and elaborate botanical-style decorative motifs. Both sides feature fine-line engraving with intricate cross-hatching and security patterns throughout, consistent with Thomas De La Rue's high-security banknote production standards of the era.

FRONT: 'EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador) / 'PAGARA EN EFECTIVO AL PORTADOR' (Will pay in cash to bearer) / 'SAN SALVADOR, 11 DE MAYO DE 1978' (San Salvador, May 11, 1978) / 'SERIE QK' (Series QK) / 'PUERTO DE ACAJUTLA' (Port of Acajutla) / 'VEINTICINCO COLONES' (Twenty-five colones) / 'DIRECTOR' (Director) / 'PRESIDENTE' (President) / 'GERENTE' (Manager) / 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' (Specimen without value). BACK: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador) / 'CRISTOBAL COLON' (Christopher Columbus) / 'VEINTICINCO COLONES' (Twenty-five colones) / 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' (Specimen without value) / 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer identification) / '18 78' (year reference) / '008' (reference number).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited of London, the world's premier security printer of the period. The note exhibits characteristic fine-line engraving patterns, complex ornamental detailing, circular security rings around the portrait, and multi-color printing with careful color registration — all hallmarks of TDLR's advanced banknote production technology from this era. The specimen overprint is applied separately in red ink.

This is Series QK as marked on the obverse. The specimen designation is confirmed by the official red 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' overprint. The note carries the May 11, 1978 issue date per the front inscription, which aligns with the catalogs noting 1978-1980 as the broader issuance period. The reverse shows printer attribution to 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' with the notation '18 78,' consistent with TDLR production records for this denomination. No significant varieties are noted; this represents the standard specimen format for Pick P-130s.