20 escudos 1959
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13 salesAbout This Note
This is a Portuguese 20 Escudos note from 1959 (Pick P-153b), issued by Banco de Portugal and printed by BWC. The note displays excellent condition consistent with VF grade, featuring vibrant multicolored printing with distinctive pink/salmon and green tones on the obverse and green on cream on the reverse. The front showcases a finely engraved portrait of D. António Luiz de Menezes in an oval frame with detailed security work, while the back features an allegorical female figure (Portugal) within radiating decorative patterns, representing the nation's sovereignty and prosperity of the post-war era.
Common. This note is regularly encountered in the numismatic market, with consistent eBay sales data showing VF examples selling in the $12-$23 range across multiple transactions from 2010-2020. The 1959 issue of this denomination was produced in substantial quantities during Portugal's stable economic period. Catalog values (2016) place VF at approximately $15-$20, confirming its status as a widely available note for collectors.
This 1959 note was issued during Portugal's Estado Novo period under Antonio de Oliveira Salazar's regime, a time of economic stabilization following World War II. The allegorical female figure on the reverse represents Portugal itself, symbolizing national identity and continuity, while D. António Luiz de Menezes on the obverse honors Portuguese history and leadership. The inclusion of 'OURO' (Gold) in the denomination reflects the currency's theoretical backing and the central bank's commitment to monetary stability during this conservative political and economic period.
The obverse features a portrait of D. António Luiz de Menezes (18th-century Portuguese nobleman and administrator) positioned on the right side within an ornate oval frame with fine engraving. The left side contains a blank circular medallion space. The note employs classical Portuguese heraldic design elements with the bank's emblem or coat of arms in the center, surrounded by intricate decorative flourishes and security borders in pink, green, and purple. The reverse showcases an allegorical female figure (representing Portugal) enthroned in an oval frame, surrounded by radiating sunburst patterns in multiple colors, with denomination cartouches at all four corners. Both sides demonstrate the high-quality engraving characteristic of BWC printing.
OBVERSE: 'BANCO DE PORTUGAL' (Bank of Portugal), 'VINTE ESCUDOS OURO' (Twenty Escudos Gold), 'Ch.6.' (Chapa/Plate 6), 'LISBOA' (Lisbon), '28 DE JUNHO DE 1949' (28 June 1949 - note date of authorization), 'o VICE-GOVERNADOR' (the Vice-Governor), 'o ADMINISTRADOR' (the Administrator), denomination '20' in corners, serial number 'LGK 10814'. REVERSE: 'VINTE' (Twenty), 'ESCUDOS' (Escudos), denomination '20' in all four corners.
Intaglio (engraved) printing, with multicolor security printing on specially prepared paper. The note exhibits the fine-line engraving work, detailed portraits, and complex decorative patterns typical of BWC (Banknote World Corporation) security printing from this era. The precision of the oval frames, radiating patterns, and ornamental borders indicates professional engraved steel plates with careful registration of multiple color passes.
This is Pick P-153b, representing the 1959 printing variant with printer BWC. The Pick catalog lists three variants (P-153a, P-153b, and P-153cts) for this base number, with differences primarily in printing dates and signature combinations. The observed note shows 'Ch.6.' (Chapa 6/Plate 6) designation and carries signatures of 'o VICE-GOVERNADOR' and 'o ADMINISTRADOR' consistent with 1959-era issuance. Serial number prefix 'LGK' and the specific format indicate this is the standard P-153b variety.
