10 cordobas 1968

Common. The catalog reference notes this is a regular issue from 1968 with no indication of restricted print runs or short-lived circulation. eBay market data shows consistent sales of this note across multiple grades, with UNC examples typically achieving $20–$25, placing it solidly in the common category. The note was issued during a period of monetary stability in Nicaragua and does not appear in literature as a scarce or recall issue.

Issued on May 25, 1968, by the Banco Central de Nicaragua, this note commemorates two pivotal figures in Central American colonial and independence history. Miguel de Larreynaga was a key Nicaraguan intellectual and political figure, while Francisco Hernández de Córdoba founded Granada and established Spanish colonial presence in Nicaragua. The formal decree references and central bank authorizations visible on the note reflect Nicaragua's mid-20th century institutional modernization and monetary stabilization efforts.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Miguel de Larreynaga in a classical engraved style, centered within an ornate circular frame with decorative elements in all four corners displaying the denomination '10'. The reverse presents Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, depicted with formal 19th-century attire and a distinctive ruffled collar, similarly framed. Both sides employ fine geometric and floral pattern fills throughout, characteristic of De La Rue's high-security banknote production. The predominantly pink and rose color scheme is applied to a cream/off-white base, creating strong visual contrast that was typical of Central American currency design in this era.

Front Side: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA' (Central Bank of Nicaragua); 'SERIE B' (Series B); '02534421' (Serial Number); 'VALE POR DIEZ CORDOBAS' (Worth Ten Cordobas); 'RESOLUCIÓN DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO DEL BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA DE 16 DE MAYO DE 1968' (Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nicaragua of May 16, 1968); 'DECRETO EJECUTIVO NO. 38-AL DE 25 DE MAYO DE 1968' (Executive Decree No. 38-AL of May 25, 1968); 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPÚBLICA' (The President of the Republic); 'EL PRESIDENTE DEL BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA' (The President of the Central Bank of Nicaragua); 'EL GERENTE DEL BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA' (The Manager of the Central Bank of Nicaragua). Back Side: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA' (Central Bank of Nicaragua); 'DIEZ CORDOBAS' (Ten Cordobas); 'FRANCISCO HERNÁNDEZ DE CÓRDOBA' (Francisco Hernández de Córdoba—name identification); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (Printer attribution).

Intaglio (engraved line printing) by Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited, London. The intricate line patterns, fine geometric fills, and ornate decorative elements visible throughout the note are hallmarks of traditional steel-plate engraving security printing. The precision of the portrait rendering and the complexity of the background patterns indicate advanced engraving techniques used to deter counterfeiting.

This example is identified as SERIE B (Series B) with serial number 02534421. The Pick 117 base number encompasses the 1968 issue; the PMG population report indicates one cataloged variant. No overprints, significant date variations, or signature varieties are noted for this particular printing. The note's series designation and serial number prefixes are consistent with standard production runs of the 1968 issue.