20 pesos 1914
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a 20 pesos banknote issued by Banco de Occidente in Guatemala dated August 7, 1914, graded VF (Very Fine). The note features an ornate design with green and beige tones on the obverse, depicting an allegorical female figure representing Liberty in a tropical landscape with palm trees, and a predominantly blue reverse with intricate geometric patterns and shell motifs. The note shows moderate to significant aging with visible creases, foxing, and yellowing throughout, consistent with circulation wear from over a century of age, yet remains a notable example of early 20th-century Central American banking currency.
Common. eBay market data shows this note in VF condition selling consistently in the $190-$295 USD range, with multiple examples listed and sold at moderate price points. The print run for this issue appears to have been substantial, and examples remain available in the collector market. The denomination (20 pesos) was a standard circulating value, and Banco de Occidente, while regional, was an established institution with reasonable note production. The absence of dramatic price premiums and the regular appearance of examples in various conditions all support a 'common' classification.
The Banco de Occidente (Western Bank) was a regional financial institution operating in Guatemala during the early 20th century, with this particular issue authorized on September 20, 1883, and circulating until at least 1920. The imagery emphasizes Guatemala's agricultural prosperity and classical ideals of Liberty, depicted through tropical agricultural elements including palm trees and farming settlements, reflecting the nation's economic foundation in agriculture during the early 1900s. The note's design and the bank's location in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala's major western commercial center, underscore the regional banking system that supported Guatemala's developing economy in this period.
The obverse depicts Liberty (Libertad) as an allegorical female figure in classical style, standing in a tropical landscape holding a palm frond and staff, symbolizing prosperity and agricultural abundance. The design includes the national coat of arms or seal on the left side, ornamental circular frames in all four corners containing the denomination '20', and decorative geometric and floral border patterns throughout. The reverse features an elaborate geometric design dominated by navy blue coloring, with four large circular shell motifs in the corners, ornamental frames containing the bank name and denomination, and repeating classical patterns including crosses and geometric borders. The entire composition reflects the high security printing standards of the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), with fine line engraving and multiple overlapping design elements intended to prevent counterfeiting.
FRONT: 'BANCO OCCIDENTE' (Western Bank), 'REPÚBLICA DE GUATEMALA' (Republic of Guatemala), '7 de Agosto de 1914' (August 7, 1914), 'LIBERTAD' (Liberty), 'Pagaduria general' (General Treasury), 'veinte Pesos' (Twenty Pesos), 'amortizada efectiva' (Effective amortized), 'A LA PRESENTACIÓN' (Upon presentation), Serial number '1093329', '20 DE SETIEMBRE DE 1883' (September 20, 1883 - authorization date), and corner denomination '20'. BACK: 'BANCO DE' (Bank of), 'OCCIDENTE' (Western), 'EN QUEZALTENANGO' (In Quetzaltenango), and corner denomination '20'.
Steel plate engraving and intaglio printing, executed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), one of the world's premier security printers. The extremely fine line engraving visible throughout both sides, the intricate geometric patterns, elaborate border designs, and the precision of the multi-color printing on the obverse (green and beige on multicolored underprint) and reverse (blue) are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production from this era. The layering of security elements, repeating motifs, and fine detail work demonstrate the advanced anti-counterfeiting techniques employed by ABNC.
This specific note is dated August 7, 1914, issued under the authorization of September 20, 1883. Serial number 1093329 indicates it falls within the main production run. The visual analysis confirms the standard design with the Banco de Occidente name on the obverse and the location 'EN QUEZALTENANGO' on the reverse. No overprints or unusual markings are evident. The note represents the standard issue variety for this Pick number (P-S179) during the 1914 circulation period; signature varieties, if they exist, cannot be definitively identified from the images provided.
