50 centavos 1917

Common. eBay sales data shows consistent trading at modest prices ($2.25–$20 for F grades, $18.50–$20.50 for VG grades) with reasonable transaction frequency across multiple years. The 2016 catalog valuation of $20 for F grade and $55 for EF grade, combined with regular auction activity, indicates this is a widely available issue. The Junta de Vigilancia issued these certificates in substantial quantities as part of Peru's official gold deposit program, and no historical evidence suggests exceptionally limited print runs or early withdrawal. VF specimens are neither scarce nor exceptionally common, placing this note firmly in the common category.

This certificate represents a critical moment in Peru's monetary history during the gold standard era. Issued by the Vigilance Board under Law No. 1288, it served as a gold deposit certificate backed by Peru's gold reserves, with the inscription indicating a valuation rate of 20 certificates per pound sterling. The classical imagery of Liberty with torch and the prominent display of the Peruvian coat of arms (featuring the vicuña) reflect nationalist sentiment and the nation's commitment to sound monetary principles during the later years of Peru's early republican period.

The obverse presents an exceptionally ornate classical design centered on Liberty as an allegorical female figure in Greco-Roman dress, holding a torch or staff symbolizing enlightenment and progress. She is flanked by cherub or putto figures and a vessel or urn, all contained within an elaborate oval medallion with circular decorative border. The entire design employs fine line engraving with intricate cross-hatching, surrounded by geometric and floral ornamental borders in the corners. Denomination numerals '50' appear in decorative corner cartouches. The reverse displays Peru's national coat of arms—prominently featuring the vicuña, representing the nation's natural wealth—positioned centrally within a scalloped circular medallion. Symmetrical geometric and floral patterns frame the heraldic shield, emphasizing the official and formal nature of the certificate. The color scheme shifts from the front's blue-on-green to tan/brown tones on the reverse, a characteristic design approach of the era.

OBVERSE: '50 CENTAVOS' / 'MEDIO SOL' (Half Sol) - 'CERTIFICADO DE DEPOSITO DE ORO' (Certificate of Gold Deposit) - 'EMITIDO POR JUNTA DE VIGILANCIA DE LA EMISION CON LA LEY Nº 1288' (Issued by the Vigilance Board of the Emission with Law No. 1288) - 'DEPARTAMENTO: LIMA' (Department: Lima) - '17 DE AGOSTO DE 1917' (17 August 1917) - 'SERIE T' (Series T) - 'POR LA JUNTA DE VIGILANCIA' (By the Vigilance Board) - 'EQUIVALENTE EN LIBRAS PERUANAS: 90.50' (Equivalent in Peruvian Pounds: 90.50) - Serial number: '631114' (in red ink). REVERSE: '50 CENTAVOS / CINCUENTA CENTAVOS' (Fifty Centavos) - 'OBVERSO QUE SU REPRESENTACION EN MONEDA ES PLATA DE ORO' (Obverse that its representation in coin is of silver of gold) - 'EN TASACION DE LA JUNTA DE VIGILANCIA YA RAZON DE 20 CERTIFICADOS POR LIBRA' (In the valuation of the Vigilance Board at the rate of 20 certificates per pound) - Notation: '09'.

Intaglio line engraving, executed by Litografía T. Scheuch of Lima (also referenced as 'Scheuch, Lima'). The fine cross-hatching, intricate geometric patterns, and security detail complexity are consistent with classical steel or copper plate engraving. The precision of line work and the depth of the printed image are hallmarks of intaglio printing technology prevalent in early 20th-century banknote production. The use of multiple color printing (blue, green, brown, black, and red for serial numbers) indicates sophisticated multi-run intaglio or chromolithographic techniques standard for this period.

This specimen is identified as Series T with serial number 631114 in red ink. The note is dated 17 August 1917 and issued from Lima. Known varieties for Pick 30 include different series designations (Series A–Z documented in various collections). The reverse notation '09' may indicate a printer's mark or internal control number. No significant printing errors or major varieties are apparent from the visual analysis, though the red serial number is consistent with the issue standard.