30 escudos 1959

Common. Portuguese India banknotes from 1959 were issued in substantial quantities by Banco Nacional Ultramarino before the territory's transition to Indian sovereignty in 1961. The 30 Escudos denomination was a standard mid-range note in regular circulation. While specimens in VF condition show signs of use, they are not scarce in the collector market. No information suggests an exceptionally small print run or special rarity status for Pick-41. Standard colonial-era Portuguese India notes of this denomination typically trade at modest valuations, consistent with common circulation issues.

This banknote represents Portuguese India during the final years of colonial rule, just two years before Indian independence in 1961. The imagery deliberately commemorates Portugal's maritime colonial heritage: Afonso de Albuquerque (1453-1515) was the second Portuguese Viceroy of India and architect of Portugal's Indian Ocean empire, while the reverse depicts Portuguese caravels with cross-emblazoned sails, symbols of the Age of Discovery expeditions. The presence of inscriptions in both Portuguese and Indian scripts (Hindi and Urdu) reflects the cultural intersection of colonial Portuguese administration with the local population of Portuguese India.

The front of this banknote features a right-facing profile portrait of Afonso de Albuquerque, the legendary Portuguese colonial administrator and military strategist, depicted with a long beard and ornate crown or religious headpiece, reflecting his historical importance. The left side contains an empty oval space consistent with the design template. The reverse presents a carefully composed maritime historical scene showing a Portuguese colonial-era figure in 16th-century attire observing multiple caravels with cross-emblazoned sails in a harbor setting, symbolizing Portugal's Age of Discovery expeditions. Both sides feature a Portuguese coat of arms or shield emblem, baroque-style decorative borders, and denomination numerals in the corners. The color scheme of mauve, pink, and burgundy tones is characteristic of Portuguese colonial banknotes from this era. A circular bank seal dated 1864 (the founding year of Banco Nacional Ultramarino) appears on the reverse, establishing institutional continuity.

FRONT: '30' / 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank) / 'ÍNDIA PORTUGUESA' (Portuguese India) / 'DECRETO - LEI Nº 39221' (Decree-Law No. 39221) / 'TRINTA ESCUDOS' (Thirty Escudos) / Serial number '1227400' / 'LISBOA, 2 de JANEIRO de 1959' (Lisbon, January 2, 1959) / 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator) / 'O GOVERNADOR' (The Governor) / 'AFONSO DE ALBUQUERQUE' (name of depicted historical figure) / Inscriptions in Hindi Devanagari and Urdu scripts repeating 'Thirty Escudos'. BACK: '30' / 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank) / 'TRINTA ESCUDOS' (Thirty Escudos) / 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COY. LTD. LONDRES, INGLATERRA' (Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd. London, England - printer's mark).

This banknote was produced using intaglio (line engraving) printing, as evidenced by the fine detailed line work, complex cross-hatching patterns, and stippling visible throughout both sides of the note. The printer was Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited of London, England, one of the world's premier banknote security printers. The ornate decorative borders, fine line engraving of facial features and maritime details, and the depth achieved through varied line density are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production typical of De La Rue's work during this period.

This particular specimen shows the standard 1959 design with Afonso de Albuquerque on the front and the maritime/caravel scene on the reverse. The serial number '1227400' indicates this is from a standard production run. No visible overprints, security device variations, or significant design modifications are evident that would indicate a scarce variety. The date of issue is January 2, 1959, consistent with the first issue of this design under Decree-Law No. 39221.