100 pesetas 1970

Common. This is a regular-issue banknote from a major European central bank with substantial production runs. The extensive eBay sales history provided (over 200 transactions spanning 2011–2025) indicates robust collector demand but also ready availability in the secondary market. UNC examples consistently sell in the $2–$7 range, with PMG-graded specimens (PMG 66–67) typically bringing $12–$25. The presence of multiple UNC sales at very modest prices ($2.35–$5.51) confirms this note is not scarce. Print run was almost certainly in the millions.

This 1970 issue commemorates Manuel de Falla (1876–1946), one of Spain's greatest classical composers and a cultural icon of Spanish nationalism during the Franco era. The reverse depicts the Generalife palace in Granada, the legendary summer retreat of medieval Nasrid rulers, connecting Spain's Islamic heritage to its contemporary identity. The note was printed during the later years of the Franco regime by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (National Mint and Stamp Factory) in Madrid.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Manuel de Falla, the celebrated Spanish composer (1876–1946), shown wearing characteristic round-framed spectacles facing leftward. The portrait is rendered in brown intaglio against a cream background with extensive fine-line work creating a complex, difficult-to-counterfeit pattern. Ornate baroque-style decorative cartouches containing the denomination '100' frame the upper left and right corners, with elaborate scrollwork and floral motifs adorning all borders. The reverse showcases the Generalife (Jannat al-Arif, 'Garden of the Architect'), the 14th-century summer palace of the Nasrid dynasty in Granada, depicting its signature Moorish arched architecture set within formal Islamic gardens featuring geometric hedges, cypress trees, and water features. The building is rendered with fine architectural detail receding into the middle distance, framed by matching ornate decorative borders with '100' denominations in all four corners.

FRONT SIDE: 'EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (The Bank of Spain), 'CIEN PESETAS' (One Hundred Pesetas), 'MADRID. 17 de Noviembre de 1970' (Madrid. 17 November 1970), 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to bearer), 'EL GOBERNADOR' (The Governor), 'EL INTERVENTOR' (The Comptroller), 'EL CAJERO' (The Cashier), 'MANUEL DE FALLA' (Manuel de Falla - the depicted figure), and serial number '5C1514913'. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO DE ESPAÑA' (Bank of Spain), 'CIEN PESETAS' (One Hundred Pesetas).

Intaglio (steel engraving) printing, the standard security printing method for banknotes of this era. The note was produced by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) in Madrid, Spain's official government security printer. The characteristic sharp detail, fine line-work background, and multi-layered sepia coloration visible in the images are consistent with traditional intaglio engraving combined with offset color printing for the base tones. The intricate border work and portrait rendering demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship typical of Spanish banknote production during this period.

The observed serial number is '5C1514913', indicating a standard-format serial with letter-number combination. The date of issue is November 17, 1970 (MADRID. 17 de Noviembre de 1970). Known varieties for this Pick 152 note include different signature combinations representing different governors and comptrollers during its circulation period (1970–1974 per the realbanknotes.com reference citing 1970 [1974]). No overprints or special markings are evident on the examined specimen. The note represents the standard variety of the regular 1970 issue with no reported errors or significant varieties that would affect valuation.