100 escudos 1958 specimen

Common. Specimen notes from this era, while non-circulating and not entered general circulation, were produced in modest quantities as presentation and archival pieces. The 1958 Saint Thomas & Prince 100 escudos exists in multiple Pick varieties (P-38a, P-38cts, P-38r, P-38s), indicating reasonably consistent production runs. UNC specimens from this issue appear with moderate frequency in the market, and specimen notes are generally more accessible to collectors than their circulated counterparts due to their preservation and non-circulation status.

Issued under Decree-Law No. 33,221 on November 20, 1958, this banknote represents Portugal's monetary administration of its overseas territories during the late colonial period. The maritime imagery—including the circular sailing ship seal and the detailed maritime scene on the reverse—reflects Saint Thomas & Prince's historical significance as a Portuguese trading post and colonial settlement dependent on maritime commerce. The portrait of D. Afonso V (the Portuguese 'Africanus'), a 15th-century patron of Portuguese exploration, symbolically connects the territory to Portugal's Age of Discovery heritage.

The obverse features a formal portrait of D. Afonso V, the 15th-century Portuguese king, depicted in left profile wearing historical royal attire with a beard—a reference to Portugal's role in the Age of Exploration. A circular seal containing an engraved sailing ship appears at the left, symbolizing maritime heritage and colonial trade routes. The center displays an ornate coat of arms seal with baroque flourishes and an intricate geometric border pattern in purple and lavender tones. The reverse depicts a detailed maritime historical scene showing a figure in period costume standing on shore, observing sailing vessels at sea and what appears to be a coastal fortification or settlement—illustrating the colonial establishment. An elaborate decorative panel on the right side contains ornamental baroque designs framing the denomination '100' in an ornate reserve. The scalloped wavy borders throughout both sides showcase the high-quality intaglio engraving characteristic of British banknote production.

FRONT: 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank), 'DECRETO-LEI No 33.221' (Decree-Law No. 33,221), 'STOME E PRINCIPE' (Saint Thomas and Prince), 'CEM ESCUDOS' (One Hundred Escudos), 'ESPECIME' (Specimen - red overprint), 'LISBOA, 20 de NOVEMBRO de 1958' (Lisbon, November 20, 1958), 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator), 'O GOVERNADOR' (The Governor), 'D.AFONSO V' (D. Afonso V - the portrait subject). BACK: 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank), 'PAGÁVEL EM' (Payable in), 'STOME E PRÍNCIPE' (Saint Thomas and Prince), 'CEM ESCUDOS' (One Hundred Escudos), 'ESPECIME' (Specimen - red overprint), 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD GRAVADORES, NEW MALDEN, SURREY, INGLATERRA' (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd Engravers, New Malden, Surrey, England). Serial numbers appear as 'B000000' (specimen notation).

Intaglio engraving (recess/line engraving), as evidenced by the fine detail, crisp line work, and three-dimensional quality of the ornamental elements and portrait. The note was engraved and printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, a prestigious British security printer located in New Malden, Surrey. The specimen designation and dual punch holes were applied separately as part of the specimen issue protocol.

This is the P-38s variety (specimen). The Pick catalog identifies four variants for the base P-38 number: P-38a, P-38cts, P-38r, and P-38s (specimen). The 's' suffix designates this as an official specimen issue, distinguished by the red 'ESPECIME' overprint and the two circular specimen punch holes (one on obverse, one on reverse visible in the images). The serial number format 'B000000' is standard for specimen issues. This specimen issue represents the official non-circulating presentation version prepared for archival, regulatory, and institutional distribution purposes.