1 cordoba 1954
Market Prices
9 salesAbout This Note
This is a well-preserved Nicaraguan 1 Córdoba from the 1954 series, printed by Thomas de la Rue with exceptional engraving quality characteristic of the period. The note features an elegant portrait of an indigenous woman in traditional dress on the obverse and the neoclassical Departamento de Emisión building on the reverse, rendered in dark blue on multicolor underprint. Despite some minor handling marks and age-related patina visible on the front, the note retains strong color saturation and crisp detail, making it an attractive example of mid-20th century Central American currency design.
Common. The 1954 1 Córdoba (Pick P-99a) was part of a substantial regular circulation issue spanning 1953-1960. eBay market data confirms this is a widely available note, with multiple sales recorded across various grades (VG: $3.25-$9.01, VF: $4.34-$29.99, UNC: $33.99-$60), indicating healthy supply. Catalog values from 2016 list UNC specimens at $60, consistent with the historical eBay market. While this specific note in UNC condition is desirable to collectors, the variety itself is neither scarce nor rare, and even premium examples command modest prices reflecting abundant availability.
Issued by the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua between 1953-1960, this 1 Córdoba note represents the post-World War II modernization of Nicaragua's currency infrastructure under the Somoza-era government. The choice to feature an indigenous woman in traditional dress on the obverse reflects nationalist imagery popular in Latin American currencies of the 1950s, while the reverse's depiction of the Departamento de Emisión building in Managua emphasizes the centralization of monetary authority in the capital, consistent with mid-century state-building initiatives across the region.
The obverse features a classical oval portrait medallion of an indigenous Nicaraguan woman (representing the nation's pre-Columbian heritage) wearing traditional braided hairstyles adorned with flowers, engraved in the finest security printing tradition. The portrait is flanked by heraldic coat of arms or governmental emblems on either side. Ornate scrollwork, filigree patterns, and decorative corner flourishes with floral motifs frame the entire composition. The denomination 'UN CORDOBA' is prominently displayed, with red serial numbers positioned in the top corners. The reverse depicts the neoclassical Banco Nacional de Nicaragua's Departamento de Emisión building in Managua, rendered with careful architectural detail including columned facades, a central entrance, and ornamental landscaping. All four corners feature matching heraldic emblems, with elaborate decorative scrollwork completing the design frame. The color scheme consists of dark blue on a cream and multicolor underprint, employing traditional intaglio-style presentation.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua); 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISION, MANAGUA' (Department of Emission, Managua); 'SERIE DE 1954' (Series of 1954); 'UN CORDOBA' (One Cordoba); 'VALE POR' (Valid for); 'ESTE BILLETE HA SIDO EMITIDO DE CONFORMIDAD CON EL DECRETO-LEY DEL 26 DE OCTUBRE DE 1940...Y LA LEY DE 4 DE AGOSTO DE 1941; DEBERA SER RECIBIDO EN PAGO DE LOS DERECHOS ADUANEROS Y FISCALES Y SERA RECIBIDO LEGALMENTE Y OBLIGATORIAMENTE PARA EL PAGO DE DEUDAS DENTRO DE LA REPUBLICA' (This banknote has been issued in accordance with the Decree-Law of October 26, 1940 and the Law of August 4, 1941; it shall be accepted in payment of customs and fiscal duties and will be legally accepted and mandatory for the payment of debts within the Republic); 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA JUNTA PUBLICA' (The President of the Public Board); 'EL PRESIDENTE DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISION' (The President of the Directing Council of the Emission Department); 'EL GERENTE GENERAL DEL BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (The General Manager of the National Bank of Nicaragua); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTDA.' (Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd.); Serial number '1969714'. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua); 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISION' (Department of Emission); 'UN CORDOBA' (One Cordoba); 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA-MANAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua-Managua); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTD.' (Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd.).
Intaglio engraving (copperplate printing) executed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd., London, the premier British currency printer of the era. The note demonstrates sophisticated security printing with fine line work, intricate crosshatching patterns, and ornate engraved borders throughout — all characteristic of professional bank note production designed to resist counterfeiting. The depth of engraving, detail preservation, and color saturation reflect the high standards maintained by Thomas de la Rue during this period.
Catalogued as Pick P-99a. The visual analysis confirms this note displays 'SERIE DE 1954' and was issued by the Departamento de Emisión of the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua. The serial number observed is 1969714. PMG records note that variant P-99c exists for this base Pick number, indicating multiple minor varieties exist within this series. Without direct comparison to other documented variants (such as signature variations or slight design differences), the specific distinguishing characteristics of P-99a versus other variants cannot be definitively confirmed from the visual analysis alone, though the 1954 series designation and overall design elements are consistent with the catalogued Pick P-99a specifications.
