20 escudos 1951

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales of this note in VF condition ranging from $6 to $17.50 over the past 15 years, with numerous transactions indicating steady availability. The note's long circulation period (1941-1954) and the significant print run typical of a 20-denomination denomination ensure regular availability in the collector market. Catalog values place VF examples at approximately $10-15, consistent with observed market behavior.

Issued by Banco de Portugal on 28 June 1951, this note was part of a series produced during Portugal's Estado Novo regime under António de Oliveira Salazar. The classical allegorical imagery and baroque ornamentation reflect the conservative, tradition-focused aesthetic of mid-20th century Portuguese monetary design. The note's denomination and design remained in circulation until 1954, representing a transitional period in Portuguese currency before the introduction of new series.

The obverse features a portrait of D. António Luiz de Arriaga (a prominent Portuguese historical figure) positioned in a purple-tinted oval frame on the right side, rendered in classical engraving style with period-appropriate dress. The reverse displays an allegorical female figure in classical style within an ornate oval baroque frame, representing virtue or national virtue. Both sides incorporate elaborate decorative architectural frames with intricate scrollwork, the front in orange/red and blue baroque patterns, the back with rectangular ornamental borders. Large circular and rectangular medallion frames serve as watermark areas. The color scheme combines salmon-pink and green dominants with cream, blue, and orange accents, creating a distinctly Portuguese mid-century aesthetic.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO DE PORTUGAL' (Bank of Portugal) - institutional issuer; 'VINTE ESCUDOS' (Twenty Escudos) - denomination; 'OURO' (Gold) - backing reference; 'LISBOA' (Lisbon) - city of issuance; '28 DE JUNHO DE 1951' (28 of June of 1951) - specific issue date; 'Ch.8' (Chapa/Plate 8) - printing plate reference; 'O VICE-GOVERNADOR' (The Vice-Governor) - signature title; 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator) - signature title; 'ANTONIO LUIZ DE ARRIAGA' - depicted historical figure. BACK SIDE: 'VINTE' (Twenty) - denomination; 'ESCUDOS' (Escudos) - currency unit; '20' - denomination numerals in corner ornaments.

Intaglio engraving with multicolor relief printing, characteristic of Banco de Portugal's security printing standards. The printer is identified as BWC (Bradbury Wilkinson & Company) without imprint mark, a renowned security printer. Multiple color passes with precise registration are evident from the sharp alignment of the baroque ornamental patterns and the crisp quality of fine detail work visible in the portrait frame and decorative elements.

This specific example is cataloged as P-153a (Pick 153a), printed by BWC without imprint. The note displays 'Ch.8' (Chapa 8/Plate 8), indicating it was printed from plate 8, a manufacturing detail that could distinguish variants. The serial number prefix 'OXQ' and the specific date '28 DE JUNHO DE 1951' confirm this as the 1951 issuance. Variants P-153b and P-153cts also exist for this denomination and issuer, but this example matches the standard P-153a specification. The signature titles 'O VICE-GOVERNADOR' and 'O ADMINISTRADOR' are consistent with the P-153a variety.