1 sol 1870

Common. Although this is a remainder note (unsigned/unissued), the eBay price tracking data shows substantial market volume with UNC examples regularly selling between $200-$489, indicating consistent availability. The range of listed prices ($49.99 to $1,595.00) suggests supply sufficient for regular collector circulation, and the UNC grade pricing aligns with common regional Peruvian banknote values. The absence of extreme rarity designations in the catalog data and the presence of multiple UNC sales confirms this Pick number maintains common status despite its historical interest.

The Banco de Tacna issued this note during Peru's post-guano boom period when regional banks competed to establish financial authority through detailed, security-conscious designs. The prominent depiction of a steam locomotive crossing a rural bridge reflects the era's fascination with modernization and rail infrastructure expansion in South America. As a remainder note printed in New York by the CNBB (Compañia Nacional de Billetes de Banco), it represents the international collaboration common among 19th-century Latin American financial institutions seeking professional security printing standards.

The obverse features a sophisticated composition with two named female portraits—'Nina' in profile at upper left and 'Lola' in profile at lower right—separated by a central vignette depicting Peru's modernization through a steam locomotive traversing a stone arch bridge over a river, with rural landscape and buildings visible in the background. Ornate decorative borders incorporate repeating diamond and scrollwork patterns with shield emblems in the corners. The reverse presents a highly symmetrical design centered on an elaborate circular medallion containing the numeral '1', surrounded by concentric radiating patterns and geometric cross-hatching, with matching shield ornaments on left and right sides. The color scheme of black on sepia/tan underprint creates strong contrast and visual depth throughout.

Front: 'DEL BANCO DE LA' (Of the Bank of [Tacna]), 'UN SOL' (One Sol), 'No' (Number), Serial number '034626', 'Director.Sevente' (Director Secretary), 'Contador' (Accountant). Reverse: 'Compañia Nacional de Billetes de Banco en N.York' (National Company of Bank Bills in New York).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving and steel plate engraving), executed by Compañia Nacional de Billetes de Banco (CNBB) in New York. The visual evidence of fine line work, intricate cross-hatching, precise geometric patterns, and detailed portrait engraving all confirm professional intaglio production. The security features—including complex concentric circular medallions and elaborate scrollwork—are characteristic of high-security banknote engraving standards of the 1870s period.

This note is identified as a remainder (remainder banknote, unsigned/unissued state) of the Banco de Tacna 1 Sol 1870 (Pick S382r). The 'r' designation in the Pick number explicitly denotes remainder status. The specimen observed carries serial number 034626 and shows no signature lines completed—typical of remainder stock that never entered circulation. The visual analysis confirms the absence of authorized signatures ('Director.Sevente' and 'Contador' lines are printed but not hand-signed), which is the defining characteristic of this variety.