20 escudos 1954
Market Prices
41 salesAbout This Note
This is an exceptionally well-preserved example of the Portuguese 20 Escudos from 1954 (Pick P-153a), displaying crisp, uncirculated condition with no visible wear, creases, or handling marks. The note features a striking color palette of pink/rose with green accents, showcasing fine engraving throughout both obverse and reverse. The sharp detail retention and vibrant colors indicate this specimen has been carefully preserved since issuance.
Common. This note exhibits standard print run characteristics for a regular issue Portuguese banknote from a major denomination and established issuing period (1941-1959). eBay market data confirms common status with numerous sales in the $5-$20 range for circulated examples, UNC examples selling around $155-$485 when professionally graded, indicating standard collector demand rather than scarcity.
Issued on May 29, 1954, by the Banco de Portugal, this note commemorates D. António Luiz de Menezes, a significant historical figure in Portuguese history depicted in profile on the obverse. The reverse features an allegorical female figure representing Portugal or the nation, reflecting the nationalist imagery common to Portuguese currency during the Estado Novo period under António de Oliveira Salazar's regime.
The obverse presents a formal portrait of D. António Luiz de Menezes, a bearded historical figure in period dress, positioned within a decorative oval frame on the right side of the note. The left side features an empty circular frame area reserved for watermark visibility. The reverse displays a classical allegorical female figure (Britannia-style representation of Portugal) seated within a central oval frame with radiating lines suggesting illumination, surrounded by ornate guilloche patterns. Large denomination numerals '20' appear in decorative frames on both sides. The symmetric design follows the classical European banknote tradition of the mid-20th century.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO DE PORTUGAL' (Bank of Portugal), 'VINTE ESCUDOS' (Twenty Escudos), 'OURO' (Gold), 'LISBOA 29 DE MAIO DE 1954' (Lisbon 29 May 1954), 'O VICE-GOVERNADOR' (The Vice-Governor), 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator), 'ANTONIO LUIZ DE MENDONÇA' (Antonio Luiz de Mendonça - person depicted), serial number 'TLJ 02520', printing identifier 'CH.6' (Chapa/Plate 6). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO DE PORTUGAL' (Bank of Portugal), 'VINTE ESCUDOS' (Twenty Escudos), 'ESCUDOS' (Escudos), with numerical denomination '20' displayed prominently.
This note was produced using fine line engraving technique, evidenced by the crisp detail, complex geometric patterns, and intricate guilloche backgrounds visible throughout the design. The printer was BWC (Bradbury Wilkinson and Company), a renowned British security printer, though without imprint mark visible on this specimen. The multiple layers of fine detail and the precision of the design elements indicate state-of-the-art intaglio printing technology of the era.
This is catalogued as Pick P-153a variant, specifically identified as BWC printing (Chapa 6). The note is dated 25 May 1954 (per catalog data) or 29 May 1954 (per visual inscription reading). Serial number observed: TLJ 02520. Signature titles present: 'O VICE GOVERNADOR' (Vice-Governor) and 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (Administrator). PMG records indicate three variants exist for this Pick number (P-153a, P-153b, P-153cts), all produced by BWC, with potential distinctions in signatures, printing dates, or plate numbers requiring detailed comparison.
