1 quetzal 1968

Common. The eBay price tracking data shows consistent sales in the $4.99–$31.01 range across all grades (F, VF, UNC) from 2018–2025, with catalogue valuations of $7.50 (VF) and $37.50 (UNC) as of 2019. Multiple sales per year across varying conditions indicate robust collector demand but abundant supply. The 1964-1972 series was a standard regular issue with large print runs; no historical evidence suggests scarcity, recalls, or limited production. This Pick number is a staple of Central American banknote collections and remains readily obtainable at modest prices.

Issued during Guatemala's period of relative economic development in the 1960s, this banknote commemorates two significant elements of Guatemalan heritage: the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, representing the colonial administrative legacy of Central America, and Lake Atitlán, one of Guatemala's most culturally and geographically important landmarks situated in the highland regions inhabited by indigenous Maya communities. The 1968 issue date places this note within the broad 1964-1972 production series that maintained consistent design iconography during this period of the Banco de Guatemala's operations.

The obverse features the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, a prominent colonial-era administrative building, rendered in fine engraved detail and positioned at center-right. The palace depicts multiple stories with characteristic arched windows and architectural ornamentation typical of Spanish colonial design. At center-left is an ornate rosette medallion containing the numeral '1' in segmented sections, with matching decorative corner shields bearing the denomination. The quetzal bird—Guatemala's national symbol and namesake of the currency—appears in the upper right corner, reinforcing national identity. The reverse depicts Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlán) as a landscape scene with mountainous background, vegetation, and a small church or religious structure integrated into the natural scenery, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual significance of this highland location. Both sides employ ornate decorative border patterns in the neoclassical style characteristic of Thomas De La Rue's design work.

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 General Captains), 'JEFE DE LA CONTABILIDAD DE CUENTAS' (Chief of Accounting Accounts), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer attribution). Serial number observed: A3258509Y. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO DE GUATEMALA' (Bank of Guatemala), 'UN QUETZAL' and 'UNO QUETZAL' (One Quetzal - dual inscription), 'LAGO DE ATITLÁN' (Lake Atitlán), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited, London—the leading security printer of the era. The visual analysis confirms the presence of fine line work, intricate engraved patterns, ornate rosette designs, and detailed landscape rendering characteristic of intaglio production. The multicolored underprint with green and black overprinting demonstrates the multi-plate intaglio process typical of high-security banknote production during this period. No modern security features (security threads, microprinting, holograms) are evident, consistent with 1968 production standards.

The observed serial number A3258509Y with prefix 'A' and suffix 'Y' is consistent with the P-52e variety designation. The signature block references both 'JEFE DE LA CONTABILIDAD DE CUENTAS' (Chief of Accounting) and 'PRESIDENTE' (President) positions, typical of this issue period. No overprints, date variations, or other distinguishing features are evident from the visual analysis. Standard printing variants within this Pick number may exist related to signature changes or serial number series, but the provided visual evidence does not reveal signature-specific identification details sufficient to document a particular sub-variety.