1 cordoba 1941
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20 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated example of the 1941 Nicaraguan 1 Cordoba note issued by Banco Nacional de Nicaragua, printed by the American Bank Note Company. The note displays pristine condition with vibrant multicolor printing on the obverse featuring a portrait of an indigenous woman with a feathered headdress in an ornate oval frame, while the reverse showcases Nicaragua's national emblem with three volcanic peaks. The exceptional preservation and crisp detail of the engraved security features make this an attractive example for collectors of Central American currency.
Common. This note regularly appears in the secondary market with consistent sales activity documented on eBay. Recent uncirculated examples have sold for $23-36, and even lower-grade specimens (F to VF) trade regularly for $5-12. The print run for this series was substantial, and the note was never recalled or withdrawn from circulation. Multiple examples in various grades are available to collectors, confirming its common status.
This note was issued under the authority of the Decree-Law of October 26, 1940, and the Law of August 4, 1941, representing the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua's early emissions during the mid-20th century. The reverse design's depiction of three volcanic peaks reflects Nicaragua's distinctive geography and national identity, while the obverse portrait of an indigenous woman acknowledges the country's pre-Columbian heritage. The American Bank Note Company printing and Spanish inscriptions emphasize the note's role as legal tender throughout the Nicaraguan republic during this period.
The obverse features a centrally positioned portrait of an indigenous woman wearing a distinctive feathered headdress, presented within an ornate oval medallion frame. The portrait represents Nicaragua's indigenous heritage and cultural identity. The denomination 'UN CORDOBA' appears prominently at the bottom center with decorative numeral frames. The note is bordered by an intricate ornamental design featuring floral cornucopias in all four corners, geometric patterns, and elaborate scrollwork in blue, cream, pink, and green tones. Serial number 2667503 is printed in red in the upper left and right corners. The reverse displays the national coat of arms of Nicaragua—a triangular emblem containing a stylized landscape of three volcanic peaks with a light ray or divine presence above, representing the country's three major volcanoes. This emblem is enclosed within a circular seal inscribed 'REPÚBLICA DE NICARAGUA.' The back maintains the same ornamental border style as the front with decorative cornucopias and geometric patterns in black and gray tones.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua), 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN, MANAGUA' (Department of Emission, Managua), 'UN CORDOBA' (One Cordoba), 'SERIE DE 1941' (Series of 1941), Legal authority text stating 'This banknote has been issued in accordance with the Decree-Law of October 26, 1940 and the Law of August 4, 1941, and shall be legal and binding currency for the payment of debts within the Republic,' signature lines for 'SUPERINTENDENTE DE LA REPÚBLICA' (Superintendent of the Republic), 'EL PRESIDENTE DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN' (The President of the Board of Directors of the Department of Issue), 'EL GERENTE GENERAL' (The General Manager), and 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer identification). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua), 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN' (Department of Emission), 'REPÚBLICA DE NICARAGUA' (Republic of Nicaragua), 'UN CORDOBA' (One Cordoba), 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer identification).
This note was produced using intaglio engraving and multicolor printing techniques by the American Bank Note Company of New York. The security features include intricate guilloche patterns, complex engraved borders, and detailed landscape engraving within the coat of arms. Multiple layers of decorative printing in distinct colors (blue, cream, pink, green on obverse; black and gray on reverse) create depth and complexity designed to prevent counterfeiting. The precision of the engraved portraiture and ornamental work demonstrates the high-quality security printing standards of ABNC during the 1940s.
This note is cataloged as P-90a in the Pick Standard Catalog. The visual analysis shows 'SERIE DE 1941' designation and serial number 2667503. The catalog reference notes that similar overprinted varieties exist as P-91, suggesting potential variants with different overprints or series markings. The specific 'a' designation in P-90a may indicate this is the primary variety of the 1941 issue, with other varieties (P-90b, etc.) potentially existing with different series dates or design elements. The note's date range in external references (1941-1945) suggests the design continued in production through 1945, potentially with different series designations for later printings.
