1 quetzal 1966

Common. The eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $6–$18 range for Fair condition examples across 2020–2021, with multiple transactions indicating steady supply. The note was part of a standard circulation series (1964–1972) with substantial print runs by Thomas de la Rue, a major security printer. Fair condition examples are routinely available in the market, and catalog valuations ($7.50 VF, $37.50 UNC from 2019) reflect an ordinary collectible rather than a scarce issue.

Issued during the 1964-1972 series by Banco de Guatemala, this note reflects the bank's transition to Thomas de la Rue printing after earlier issues by Waterlow & Sons. The depicted Palacio de las Capitanías Generales served as the seat of colonial Spanish authority and remained symbolically important to Guatemala's national identity in the post-colonial period. Lake Atitlán, shown on the reverse, is one of Guatemala's most distinctive natural and cultural features, making it an appropriate choice for the nation's currency imagery.

The obverse features a colonial-era palace—the Palacio de las Capitanías Generales—rendered in fine engraved detail at the center-right, with multiple arches and stories characteristic of Spanish colonial architecture. Decorative numerals '1' in ornamental circles flank the design on left and right. The quetzal bird, Guatemala's national symbol, appears in ornamental form in the upper right. The reverse depicts a pastoral landscape vignette of Lake Atitlán with mountainous terrain, vegetation including palm trees, and a small church structure, reinforcing Guatemala's natural and spiritual heritage. Both sides feature ornamental borders with floral and geometric patterns, and corner medallions containing decorative '1' denominations. The predominant color palette is green and tan on multicolored underprint, rendered through fine-line intaglio engraving.

Front side: 'BANCO DE GUATEMALA' (Bank of Guatemala), 'GUATEMALA, CENTRO AMERICA' (Guatemala, Central America), 'UN QUETZAL' (One Quetzal), 'PALACIO DE LAS CAPITANIAS GENERALES' (Palace of the General Captains), serial number 'A0950369 W'. Back side: 'BANCO DE GUATEMALA' (Bank of Guatemala), 'UN QUETZAL' (One Quetzal), 'LAGO DE ATITLÁN' (Lake Atitlán).

Intaglio engraving on multicolored underprint, characteristic of Thomas de la Rue's security printing standards. Fine line engraving throughout provides the detailed vignettes and ornamental work. The use of multiple color layers and decorative security elements reflects professional banknote security printing practices of the 1960s.

This example carries the serial number prefix 'A' and suffix 'W', consistent with the Thomas de la Rue printing period for Pick 52c. No overprints or signature variations are noted. The Pick 52c designation itself distinguishes this as part of the Thomas de la Rue series; earlier printings by Waterlow & Sons are cataloged separately as P-30, P-42, and P-43.