100 pesetas 1953
Market Prices
70 salesAbout This Note
This 100 Pesetas banknote from April 7, 1953 (Pick P-145) features the artistic legacy of Julio Romero de Torres on both sides—his portrait on the obverse and his painting 'La Fuensanta' on the reverse. The note is graded AU (About Uncirculated) and displays the characteristic brown and sepia tones with intricate engraving throughout, showing minimal wear consistent with light circulation and excellent preservation for a 70+ year-old Spanish banknote.
Common. This 1953 100 Pesetas note is a regular issue from a major European central bank with substantial print runs typical of high-denomination circulation notes. eBay market data shows consistent sales ranging from $0.99 to $64 depending on condition and grading, with most examples in the $3-$35 range across all condition grades. AU examples comparable to this note typically sell for $15-$35, indicating robust collector availability and regular market circulation.
Issued during Spain's early post-Civil War period under Francisco Franco's regime, this 1953 banknote commemorates the cultural achievements of Julio Romero de Torres, a prominent Spanish Symbolist painter and member of the Spanish Royal Academy. The inclusion of both his portrait and one of his paintings reflects the Spanish government's desire to celebrate national artistic heritage during a period of economic stabilization and international rehabilitation following the Spanish Civil War.
The obverse features a formal portrait of Julio Romero de Torres (1874-1930), the renowned Spanish Symbolist painter, depicted in center-right position wearing formal business attire (dark suit, white shirt, and tie). The reverse displays 'La Fuensanta,' one of Torres' most celebrated paintings, featuring a woman in classical dress in a contemplative three-quarter pose, representing the classical artistic tradition Torres championed. Both sides are surrounded by elaborate ornamental borders with floral and geometric patterns in the Art Nouveau style, characteristic of early 20th-century Spanish banknote design. The 'Banco de España' insignia appears prominently at the top of both sides. The color scheme throughout is brown and sepia tones on a light cream/beige background, with the serial number G5678588 printed in red.
Front Side: 'EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (The Bank of Spain), 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will Pay to Bearer), 'CIEN PESETAS' (One Hundred Pesetas), 'MADRID', '7 de Abril de 1953' (April 7, 1953), 'EL GOBERNADOR' (The Governor), 'EL INTERVENTOR' (The Comptroller), 'EL CAJERO' (The Cashier), 'JULIO ROMERO DE TORRES' (artist name), denomination '100' in all four corners, Serial number 'G5678588'. Back Side: 'BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (Bank of Spain), 'CIEN PESETAS' (One Hundred Pesetas), denomination '100' in all four corners, Serial number 'G5678588'.
Intaglio engraving (copperplate printing), as evidenced by the fine line patterns, intricate border designs, and exceptional detail visible throughout both sides. Printed by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) in Madrid, the official Spanish security printer. The multi-color underprint beneath the primary design elements indicates the use of multiple passes typical of high-security banknote production of the era.
Serial number G5678588 indicates this specimen from the G-series production run. The specific issue date of April 7, 1953, matches the standard inaugural date for this design. No overprints or date variations are evident. The consistent serial numbering and standard typography suggest this is from the primary production run without known varieties affecting this particular serial number block.
