100 pesetas 1965
Market Prices
93 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1965 Spanish 100 pesetas note (Pick-150) featuring a portrait of the renowned Romantic poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer on the obverse. The note displays pristine condition with sharp engraving, crisp color definition in browns and tans, and all security features intact. The reverse showcases an allegorical female figure with parasol and the Cathedral of Seville's Giralda tower, making this a visually rich example of mid-20th century Spanish currency design.
Common. The eBay price history shows consistent trading in the $3-$11 range for uncirculated examples over the past 15 years, with professional graded examples (PMG 64-67) reaching $20-$100 depending on grade. Standard catalog value for UNC is listed at $20. The abundance of transaction data and modest price points indicate this is a widely available note with no significant scarcity premium. No print run restrictions or recall issues are documented for this Pick number.
Issued on November 19, 1965, during Spain's Franco era, this banknote commemorates Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870), a pivotal figure in Spanish Romanticism whose melancholic poetry profoundly influenced Spanish literature. The reverse's depiction of the Cathedral of Seville and an allegorical female figure reflect Spain's cultural heritage and national pride during this period. The note's classical engraving style and portraiture represent the refined banknote design standards of mid-20th century European central banking.
The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, identifiable by his characteristic beard and Renaissance-style period clothing with curled hair, positioned prominently on the right side. The left side contains an engraved landscape vignette depicting classical architecture with two figures near fountains or water features, suggesting Bécquer's romantic sensibilities. The reverse presents an allegorical female figure in classical dress with a distinctive ruffled collar, holding a parasol, likely representing Liberty or Spain herself. To the left rises the Giralda tower of the Cathedral of Seville, one of Spain's most iconic architectural landmarks. Both sides employ ornate baroque-inspired borders with scrollwork, decorative denomination numerals in baroque frames, and classical symbolism including birds in flight on the reverse.
Front side: 'EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (The Bank of Spain), 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to bearer), 'CIEN PESETAS' (One hundred pesetas), 'MADRID, 19 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1965' (Madrid, November 19, 1965), 'GUSTAVO ADOLFO BÉCQUER' (identifying the portrayed poet), 'EL GOBERNADOR' (The Governor), 'EL INTERVENTOR' (The Comptroller), 'EL CAJERO' (The Cashier), with serial number 'Y1377509'. Back side: 'BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (Bank of Spain), 'CIEN PESETAS' (One hundred pesetas).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving and steel plate printing), as evidenced by the fine line work, detailed cross-hatching, and precise stippling observed throughout both sides. The note was printed by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) in Madrid, Spain's official state printing facility. The characteristic depth of field, sharp portrait definition, and intricate border work are hallmarks of high-security intaglio production techniques standard for mid-century Spanish banknotes.
The observed serial number Y1377509 appears in yellow-green ink, consistent with standard 1965 issue notes. The date 'Madrid, 19 de Noviembre de 1965' is fixed. No significant signature varieties have been reported for this Pick-150 issue, though the three signature lines (Governor, Comptroller, Cashier) may show different individual signatories across the print run. This note represents the standard production variety with no known overprints or major variations affecting collector value.
