1 cordoba 1957
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6 salesAbout This Note
This is a 1957 Nicaraguan 1 Córdoba note from the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua, printed by Thomas De La Rue in London. The note features an ornate design with a central portrait of a woman in formal 19th/early 20th century dress on the obverse and a classical neoclassical government building on the reverse. While the visual analysis suggests excellent preservation, the noted foxing and aging visible on the front indicate this is a circulated example rather than true uncirculated condition, making the catalog UNC grade potentially optimistic.
Common. The 1957 1 Córdoba (P-99b) is a regular issue note from a printing run spanning 1953-1960, with multiple date varieties in circulation. eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $8-18 range for VF specimens and approximately $50 for UNC examples (per 2016 catalogue values), indicating solid collector demand but no scarcity premium. No population rarity is noted for this Pick number variant. The note was part of a standard circulation issue from Nicaragua's central bank during a stable economic period, resulting in substantial printings.
Issued during the post-war period (1957), this note reflects Nicaragua's modernization efforts under the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua's Departamento de Emisión. The classical architecture depicted on the reverse—likely the Banco Nacional building in Managua—represents institutional confidence and governmental stability during the mid-20th century. The formal portrait on the obverse, styled in the tradition of late 19th/early 20th century formal dress, connects to Nicaragua's indigenous heritage and national identity.
The obverse features a central oval portrait of a woman depicted in formal 19th/early 20th century style dress, with braided hair, an ornate decorative collar, and what appears to be feathered military or formal regalia. The portrait is flanked by cross-like emblems and surrounded by elaborate ornamental borders featuring floral and scroll patterns in dark blue and gold. The denomination 'UN CÓRDOBA' appears prominently below the portrait, with red serial numbers (0584657 observed) positioned at top left and right. The reverse depicts a classical neoclassical-style institutional building—identified as the Banco Nacional de Nicaragua in Managua—with a columned facade, multiple stories, and a central tower or cupola. Large ornate '1' denomination markers appear in cartouches at the top corners, with the building centered within similarly elaborate decorative borders. Both sides feature intricate line work, crosshatching, and geometric patterns characteristic of high-security engraved currency design.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua); 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN, MANAGUA' (Department of Issuance, Managua); 'VALE POR UN CÓRDOBA' (Worth One Cordoba); 'SERIE DE 1951' (Series of 1951); '29 DE JUNIO DE 1951' (June 29, 1951); Legal authorization text: 'ESTE BILLETE HA SIDO EMITIDO DE CONFORMIDAD CON EL DECRETO-LEY DE 25 DE OCTUBRE DE 1940 Y LA LEY DE 4 DE AGOSTO DE 1941; DEBERÁ SER RECIBIDO EN PAGO DE LOS DERECHOS ADUANEROS Y RECALES Y SERÁ INCONDICIONAL PARA EL PAGO DE TODA CLASE DE IMPUESTOS Y PARA EL COMERCIO Y PAGO DE DEUDA DEL ESTADO' (This banknote has been issued in conformity with the Decree-Law of October 25, 1940 and the Law of August 4, 1941; it must be accepted in payment of customs duties and shall be unconditional for the payment of all classes of taxes and for commerce and payment of state debt); Printer: 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTD.' BACK SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua); 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN' (Department of Issuance); 'UN CÓRDOBA' (One Cordoba); 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA - MANAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua - Managua); Printer: 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTD.'
Intaglio (engraved) printing on banknote paper, produced by Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd., London. The visual analysis reveals characteristic features of engraved currency: intricate line work, complex crosshatching patterns, multiple decorative borders with fine detail, and the precise geometric patterning visible throughout both sides. The depth and clarity of the portrait and architectural rendering, along with the security features evident in the detailed scrollwork and border patterns, are consistent with De La Rue's renowned engraving standards of the period.
This example is identified as Pick P-99b (rather than P-99c). The visual analysis indicates this is from the 1957 issue within the 1951 series ('SERIE DE 1951, 29 DE JUNIO DE 1951' on the obverse), with an observed serial number prefix of 0584657. The catalog data references P-99c as an existing variant, suggesting Pick P-99b and P-99c represent distinct series or date varieties within the 1 Córdoba 1957 issue. The note bears the standard 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTD.' imprint, confirming London printing. No overprints or commemorative markings are visible in the visual analysis.
