50 avos 1944

Common. The 1944 Macau 50 avos is a standard circulation issue from the Banco Nacional Ultramarino's wartime production, with no known restrictive print run limitations or recall history. Series E notes represent routine production variants. No market signals indicate scarcity; this denomination and year remain readily available to collectors in the affordable range.

The Banco Nacional Ultramarino maintained currency authority over Macau during the Portuguese colonial period, and this 1944 issue reflects the wartime economic conditions of occupied and isolated Macau. The prominent Portuguese coat of arms with laurel wreath on the obverse and bilingual Portuguese-Chinese inscriptions underscore Macau's status as a Portuguese overseas territory, while the denomination structure in both avos and Chinese characters (伍) demonstrates the syncretism required in this unique colonial enclave.

The obverse features a symmetrical composition centered on the Portuguese national coat of arms with shield and laurel wreath, flanked by bilingual denomination indicators. Circular seals containing Chinese characters appear in the top corners, establishing the bilingual nature of the currency. The ornamental border consists of intricate geometric guilloche patterns in the purple/mauve palette, with cream and yellow-green accents. The reverse presents a bold central circular emblem containing '50 AVOS JU' surrounded by elaborate floral and ornamental designs in an orange/rust tone. Both sides employ fine engraved background patterns as security features. No portraiture appears on this denomination; instead, the design emphasizes institutional heraldry and numerical denomination clarity across both Portuguese and Chinese notation systems.

FRONT: 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank), 'CINCOENTA AVOS' (Fifty avos), 'MACAU', 'E 伍 E' (E - fifty in Chinese), '50 AVOS JU' (Fifty avos - mixed notation), 'GERENTE' (Manager/Director signature line), Serial numbers 'No 0326252' and 'No U326252', Chinese characters '伍 佰' (Fifty) in corner seals. BACK: 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank), 'MACAU', 'CINCOENTA AVOS' (Fifty avos), '50 AVOS JU' (Fifty avos), '西 國 海 外 國 葡 澳 門' (Portuguese overseas territory of Macau/Portuguese Macau), Chinese seal character '伍' (Fifty).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed with fine line work throughout, evidenced by the detailed guilloche patterns, ornamental borders, and multi-layered security designs visible in both the obverse and reverse. The precise geometric patterns and textural engraving consistent with early 20th-century Portuguese security printing practices. The printer for this Macau series is likely either Casa da Moeda (Portuguese Royal Mint) or a contracted European security printer; specific attribution requires specialized reference materials.

Series E variety as noted in collector information (prefix 'E' visible in design). Serial number format shows 'No 0326252' and 'No U326252' positions, consistent with standard Macau currency formatting of this period. No overprints, signature variations, or other known varieties distinguishing this specific note beyond the series designation.