1 quetzal 1955
Market Prices
About This Note
This 1955 Guatemala 1 Quetzal (Pick-24b) presents in Extremely Fine condition with crisp, sharp printing and no visible wear. The note showcases the iconic Palace of the Captains-General on the obverse and Lake Atitlan with its volcanic backdrop on the reverse, both executed in green ink with fine line engraving by the American Bank Note Company. As a mid-20th century Central American note from Guatemala's regular issue period, this example represents the refined security printing standards of ABNC during the post-war era.
Common. eBay market data shows XF examples listed at $129.95 USD, while catalog values (2016) list VF at $25 and UNC at $120. The wide availability of UNC examples at very low prices ($1.15–$9.99) indicates substantial surviving circulation. As a regular issue note from a 7-year printing period (1948–1955) by a major security printer with no recorded short run or recall, and with consistent market availability, this note is classified as common even in Extremely Fine condition.
Issued during the presidency of Carlos Castillo Armas (1954-1957), this 1 Quetzal note commemorates Guatemala's colonial heritage through its depiction of the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the seat of Spanish colonial administration. The reverse features Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala's most iconic natural landmarks and a symbol of the nation's geographical and cultural identity. The authorization date of 1956 visible on the note reflects the political stabilization period following the 1954 coup d'état.
The obverse features a prominent two-story colonial palace with multiple arched windows and doorways representing the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, historically the center of Spanish colonial governance in Guatemala. A flying quetzal bird—the national symbol and namesake of Guatemala's currency—appears in the upper right. The reverse depicts a romanticized landscape vignette of Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlán) with a snow-capped volcanic mountain rising in the background, a small chapel or church structure in the foreground, and tropical vegetation. Both sides are framed by ornate geometric and floral border patterns with decorative '1' denomination numerals in opposite corners. Official signatures appear at the bottom of the obverse, and the engraver's initials 'GD' are present on the reverse.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO DE GUATEMALA' (Bank of Guatemala), 'GUATEMALA, CENTRO AMERICA' (Guatemala, Central America), 'UN QUETZAL' (One Quetzal), 'PALACIO DE LOS CAPITANES GENERALES' (Palace of the Captains-General), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company), 'Autorizado por acuerdo de 1956' (Authorized by agreement of 1956), Serial Number: N551940. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO DE GUATEMALA' (Bank of Guatemala), 'LAGO DE ATITLAN' (Lake Atitlan), 'UN QUETZAL' (One Quetzal), 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company), Designer initials: 'GD'.
Intaglio line engraving executed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), New York. The note exhibits the characteristic fine line engraving technique with intricate geometric precision in borders, complex landscape vignetting, and sharp detail in architectural elements. Security features include fine line work throughout, multiple denomination markers, and red-printed serial numbers. This represents the high-security banknote production standards of ABNC during the mid-20th century.
This note is specifically cataloged as Pick-24b, one of at least two variants in the P-24 series (P-24a and P-24b documented). The Pick designation 24b likely indicates a variant distinguished by printer information, signature combinations, or authorization date differences. The visual evidence shows the 1956 authorization date on this example. The serial number prefix 'N' and the specific signature combination visible on this specimen may further distinguish it within the P-24 variants, though detailed variety identification would require comparison with P-24a examples.
