1 cordoba 1938

Common. The eBay price data provided shows VF specimens selling for approximately $86 (2020), with F grades at $49-56 across multiple sales over a decade-long period. These consistent, modest market prices indicate a regular circulating issue with a substantial print run. The Pick catalog assigns P-82 without rarity notation, and the 1935-1938 series appears in market circulation with reasonable frequency. The Catalogue 2016 values (G: $20, F: $100, EF: $325) reflect typical pricing for common early 20th-century Latin American notes rather than scarce issues.

Issued during the 1930s under the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua, this note represents the post-1912 legal framework that established the bank's authority to issue currency backed by law. The allegorical imagery on the obverse—depicting classical figures overlooking a landscape—reflects early 20th-century design conventions that emphasized the nation's natural resources and permanence. The reverse's volcanic mountain landscape is characteristic of Nicaragua's geographical identity, while the dual Spanish-English inscriptions underscore the note's international commercial context during the era.

The obverse features two classical allegorical female figures representing prosperity and stability, depicted in flowing Greco-Roman robes positioned on a cliff overlooking a mountainous landscape with a body of water below—likely representing Nicaragua's Pacific or Atlantic coastlines. The design employs intricate border ornamentation with decorative corner medallions and the denomination numeral '1' in ornate cartouches at the top corners. The reverse presents the coat of arms or national emblem of Nicaragua, depicted as a prominent volcanic mountain (characteristic of Nicaragua's geography) with a bird in flight overhead, all enclosed within a large circular seal with concentric bands of text. The entire design is framed by symmetrical ornamental corner medallions featuring four-lobed floral designs. The color scheme—blue and tan on the obverse, green on the reverse—was standard for Hamilton Bank Note Company's work during this era.

OBVERSE: 'NATIONAL BANK OF NICARAGUA INCORPORATED' (English) / 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (Spanish—National Bank of Nicaragua) / 'VALE POR UN CORDOBA' (Spanish—Good for one cordoba) / 'SERIE DE 1935' (Spanish—Series of 1935) / 'No 326400' (Serial number) / 'ESTE BILLETE HA SIDO EMITIDO DE CONFORMIDAD CON LA LEY DE 20 DE MARZO DE 1912 Y SUS ENMIENDAS. DICHO BILLETE CIRCULA EN PAGO OBLIGATORIO EN LOS DERECHOS ADUANEROS Y FISCALES Y SERA EN CIRCULO LEGAL Y OBLIGATORIO PARA EL PAGO DE DEUDAS DENTRO DE LA REPUBLICA.' (Spanish—This note has been issued in accordance with the law of March 20, 1912 and its amendments. Said note circulates in mandatory payment in customs and tax rights and will be legal and mandatory currency for the payment of debts within the Republic) / 'DE CONFORMIDAD CON LA LEY DE 20 DE MARZO DE 1912 Y SUS ENMIENDAS Y BAJO LAS CONDICIONES QUE ESAS LEYES PRESCRIBEN LA NACIONAL BANK OF NICARAGUA INCORPORATED PAGARA LA VISTA AL PORTADOR DE ESTE BILLETE UN CORDOBA.' (Spanish—In accordance with the law of March 20, 1912 and its amendments and under the conditions that those laws prescribe the NATIONAL BANK OF NICARAGUA INCORPORATED will pay on sight to the bearer of this note one cordoba) / 'HAMILTON BANK NOTE NEW YORK' (Printer attribution). REVERSE: 'NATIONAL BANK OF NICARAGUA INCORPORATED' (English) / 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (Spanish—National Bank of Nicaragua) / 'REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA GENERAL CENTRAL' (Spanish—Republic of Nicaragua General Central) / 'CORDOBA' (Spanish—appears in both bottom corners, denomination) / 'HAMILTON BANK NOTE NEW YORK' (Printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving with letterpress elements, produced by Hamilton Bank Note Company of New York. The fine line work visible throughout both sides, intricate cross-hatching in the allegorical figures, and precise detail in the circular seal design are characteristic of hand-engraved intaglio plates. The multi-color printing (blue/tan obverse, green reverse) was achieved through separate press runs or stone lithography combined with intaglio processes, a standard practice for high-security banknote production in the early 20th century.

Noted as 'Series of 1935' on the obverse despite catalog date of 1938, indicating the 1935-1938 date range represents the full series issue period. The visible serial number '326400' and dual-language inscription format are consistent with standard production. No overprints, signature varieties, or other distinguishing varieties are evident from the visual analysis. This appears to be a standard circulation note from the main issued variety of P-82.