1 peseta 1943

Common. Secondary market data from eBay sales demonstrates consistent availability with prices typically ranging from $7.50 to $45 USD across multiple grades and years (2011-2021), with UNC examples regularly selling in the $15-25 range. The 2016 catalogue valuation of $40 for UNC specimens confirms moderate collector demand but abundant supply. Print run was substantial for this standard issue during the Franco era.

Issued on May 21, 1943, during the early Franco regime in Spain, this banknote commemorates the Catholic Monarchs era through the portrait of Ferdinand II, who together with Isabella unified Spain and sponsored Columbus's voyage. The reverse design depicting Columbus's landing reinforces Spanish national pride in the Age of Exploration, a thematic choice appropriate for the nationalist period of the 1940s. The note's imagery thus reflects the Spanish government's effort to connect contemporary Spain with its imperial past.

The obverse features a detailed profile portrait of King Ferdinand II of Aragón (Ferdinand the Catholic) facing right, rendered in fine black and purple engraving against a yellow-green background, wearing ornate royal clothing with elaborate period details. The reverse depicts a historical scene of Columbus's landing in the New World, showing multiple figures in medieval Spanish dress within an architectural interior setting with visible columns and formal building elements, interpreted as representing a significant moment in Spanish exploration history. Both sides are framed with intricate geometric borders and ornamental scrollwork, with large decorative numeral cartouches. The denomination appears prominently on both sides with official authorization signatures of the Governor, Comptroller, and Cashier.

Front: 'BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (Bank of Spain), 'UNA PESETA' (One Peseta), 'DE CURSO LEGAL' (Of Legal Course/Tender), 'MADRID 21 DE MAYO DE 1943' (Madrid May 21, 1943), 'EL GOBERNADOR' (The Governor), 'EL INTERVENTOR' (The Comptroller), 'EL CAJERO' (The Cashier), '18281573' (Serial Number), and partial text relating to 'FÁBRICA NACIONAL DE MONEDA Y TIMBRE' (National Mint and Stamp Factory). Back: '1' (denomination numeral), 'PESETA' (Peseta), 'BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (Bank of Spain), and matching serial number '18281573'.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving/gravure), printed by Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (National Mint and Stamp Factory) in Madrid. The fine line work, detailed cross-hatching visible in the historical scene, and complex geometric borders are characteristic of high-quality intaglio currency production typical of the Spanish state printer in the 1940s.

This specimen corresponds to Pick P-126a (Madrid issue), the primary and likely only standard variety for this denomination and date. The serial number '18281573' is specific to this individual note. No overprints or significant printing variants are observed in the visual analysis. The May 21, 1943 date is the standard issue date for this series.