500 escudos 1976

Common. This note represents a standard circulation issue from Banco Nacional Ultramarino for São Tomé e Príncipe, issued during the late colonial period with presumably substantial print runs to serve the territory's monetary needs. While colonial-era currency has collector interest, 50 Escudos notes from this series are widely available in the numismatic market. The presence of red overprints and cancellation marks suggests this was an officially processed or specimen note, but does not increase rarity materially. Standard examples trade at modest prices typical of mid-20th century colonial banknotes.

This note was issued during the late colonial period of Portuguese Africa, when Banco Nacional Ultramarino maintained control over currency in Portuguese overseas territories. The depicted sailing ship on the reverse represents Portugal's maritime heritage and colonial expansion, while the engraved portrait on the front (likely a historical Portuguese figure) reflects the colonial administration's emphasis on European authority. The 1958 issuance date places this note during the final years of Portuguese colonial rule in Africa, before the territories' independence in 1975.

The front features an ornate geometric border on the left side framing a circular seal of Banco Nacional Ultramarino with the denomination and issuer information prominently displayed. A finely engraved portrait of a bearded man in profile facing left, dressed in 17th or 18th-century period clothing, occupies the right side of the note. A heraldic shield with coat of arms appears in the center-bottom area. The reverse depicts a detailed engraved sailing ship (likely a Portuguese caravel), which serves as the primary vignette and symbolizes Portugal's maritime history. The denomination '50' appears in ornate decorative numerals. The color scheme comprises gray-green tones on the front with light blue-gray on the reverse, accented by pink/mauve borders and overprinted red stamps throughout both sides. Complex geometric background patterns provide security through fine-line engraving techniques.

FRONT SIDE: 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino 50' (National Overseas Bank 50); 'DECRETO LEI Nº 39.711' (Decree Law No. 39,711); 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank); 'S.TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE' (S. Tomé and Príncipe); 'CINQUENTA ESCUDOS' (Fifty Escudos); 'LISBOA, 20 de NOVEMBRO de 1958' (Lisbon, 20 November 1958); Serial number 'B639741'; 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator); 'O GOVERNADOR' (The Governor); 'D.AFONSO V' (D. Afonso V). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank); 'PAGÁVEL EM S.TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE' (Payable in S. Tomé and Príncipe); 'BANCO NACIONAL DE S. TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE' (National Bank of S. Tomé and Príncipe); 'CINQUENTA ESCUDOS' (Fifty Escudos); '50' (fifty); 'BRADBURY WILKINSON & CO LTD PRINTERS NEW MARKET SURREY ENGLAND' (printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, a renowned British security printer. The fine linework, intricate geometric patterns, ornamental borders, and portrait detail all exhibit the hallmarks of high-quality intaglio production. The red overprinted stamps and cancellation marks appear to be applied separately, likely via offset or lithographic methods, indicating official post-production processing.

The visual analysis indicates this note carries the serial number B639741. The red overprinting with official stamps and cancellation marks suggests this may be a specimen or officially processed variant rather than a standard circulation note. The catalog reference indicates Pick P-45cts with printer Bradbury Wilkinson & Co (BWC) is documented, and this note aligns with that variety. The 1958 date and Lisbon issuer information are consistent with standard Decreto Lei Nº 39.711 issues of this denomination. No evidence of signature or date variations from standard production is observed in the visual analysis.