100 cordobas 1979 specimen

common. This specimen note represents a standard commemorative printing from the Banco Central de Nicaragua for a major denomination during the 1979 issuance. eBay market data shows specimen and circulated examples trading in the $2-30 USD range with significant price variation, indicating steady supply in the collector market. Specimen notes of this denomination and period were produced in quantities sufficient to make them readily available to collectors today, and the presence of multiple eBay listings at modest price points confirms common availability.

This 1979 note was issued during Nicaragua's transitional period following the 1978-1979 Sandinista Revolution, as evidenced by the reference to the 'Decreto de la Junta de Gobierno de Reconstrucción de Nicaragua' (Decree of the Government Junta of Reconstruction of Nicaragua) dated 1978. The note honors José Dolores Estrada, a significant historical Nicaraguan military and political figure, reflecting the nation's commemoration of its national heroes during this tumultuous period of governmental reconstruction. The prominence of the national flower (Sacuanjoche) on the reverse emphasizes national identity during a time of considerable political reorganization.

The obverse features a dignified portrait of José Dolores Estrada, a 19th-century Nicaraguan general and statesman, rendered in profile on the right side of the note in formal attire with grey/white hair. The background employs a complex pink/lavender color scheme with elaborate geometric and symmetrical decorative patterns in the central area, flanked by the bank's emblem and denomination values ('100') positioned in all four corners. The reverse depicts the Sacuanjoche (Plumeria alba), Nicaragua's national flower, rendered with fine botanical detail on the left, complemented by ornamental bird imagery on the right—likely representing the national fauna. Both sides feature extensive fine-line engraving work creating texture and visual depth throughout the design, with the bank name and denomination repeated prominently.

FRONT SIDE: '100' (denomination in all four corners), 'BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA' (Central Bank of Nicaragua), 'SERIE E' (Series E), 'CIEN CORDOBAS' (One Hundred Cordobas), 'MUESTRA COMERCIAL' (Commercial Sample/Specimen), 'JOSE DOLORES ESTRADA' (portrait subject name), 'RESOLUCION DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO DEL BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA No. 29-74 N°8-75 DE 8 DE AGOSTO DE 1975' (Resolution of the Executive Board of the Central Bank of Nicaragua No. 29-74 No. 8-75 of August 8, 1975), 'DECRETO DE LA JUNTA DE GOBIERNO DE RECONSTRUCCION DE NICARAGUA No. 1-78 DEL 7 DE AGOSTO DE 1978' (Decree of the Government Junta of Reconstruction of Nicaragua No. 1-78 from August 7, 1978). BACK SIDE: '100' (denomination in all four corners), 'BANCO CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA' (Central Bank of Nicaragua), '100 CIEN CORDOBAS' (100 One Hundred Cordobas), 'MUESTRA COMERCIAL' (Commercial Sample/Specimen), 'MUESTRA' (Sample/Specimen).

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing by Thomas de la Rue of London, the renowned British security printer. The visual evidence of intricate fine-line work, complex geometric patterns, detailed portrait engraving, and the sharp reproduction of botanical and faunal imagery are all characteristic of intaglio lithography combined with multicolor printing. The note exhibits the high-quality security printing standards typical of Thomas de la Rue's production during this period, with multicolor underprints and fine detail work extending to the edges of the note.

This is specifically catalogued as Pick P-137s, the 's' designation denoting its status as a specimen note (MUESTRA COMERCIAL). The note is from Series E as noted in the inscriptions. The visual analysis indicates this is the primary variety of the 1979 issue; the catalog reference notes that for a similar later note, collectors should see Nicaragua P-141, suggesting this Pick number represents a distinct issuance limited to 1979. Signature varieties are mentioned in reference materials but cannot be definitively assessed from the provided image analysis. This specimen designation distinguishes it from standard circulation issues (Pick P-137) of the same year and denomination.