50 pesetas 1906

Common. The eBay price tracking data shows this note in VF condition ranging from approximately $2.99 to $65.00 USD, with most listings clustered between $4.89 and $11.39 USD, and the 2016 catalogue value for EF grade at $210 USD. The wide range and quantity of eBay listings, combined with relatively modest pricing for circulated examples, indicates this was a note printed in significant quantities. No evidence of small print runs, recalls, or scarcity factors is apparent. This is a standard issue note from a major central bank printed by a high-capacity security printer, making it accessible to most collectors.

This 50 pesetas note was issued on September 24, 1906, during a period of economic stabilization in Spain following the turn of the century. The imagery reflects Spain's national identity through the allegorical female figure representing Hispania/Liberty and the prominent coat of arms inscribed with the Latin motto 'Plus Ultra' (Further Beyond), which references Spain's imperial heritage. The use of Bradbury Wilkinson as the printer underscores the international standard of Spanish banking security during this era, when Madrid sought to modernize its currency infrastructure.

The obverse features a classical allegorical composition with Hispania (represented as a robed female figure) holding a caduceus staff symbolizing commerce and prosperity, accompanied by an olive branch representing peace. A cherub or putto figure assists the main allegorical figure, enhancing the artistic classical theme. The design is framed by intricate geometric and floral ornamental borders in red, blue, and gold. The reverse displays the Spanish coat of arms—a quartered shield beneath a crown with heraldic elements representing the various Spanish kingdoms—within an elaborate baroque-style cartouche featuring scrollwork and ornamental borders. Large denomination numerals appear in all four corners of both sides. The color scheme (purple/lilac on front, green on reverse) was typical of Spanish peseta notes from this period and aided in rapid visual denomination identification.

FRONT: 'El Banco de España' (The Bank of Spain) / 'Cincuenta Pesetas' (Fifty Pesetas) / 'Pagará al portador' (Payable to Bearer) / 'Madrid' / '24 de Septiembre de 1906' (September 24, 1906) / 'El Interventor del Gobernador' (The Auditor of the Governor) / 'Bradbury Wilkinson & Company Ltd., Londres' (Bradbury Wilkinson & Company Ltd., London) / Serial: CL008.080. BACK: 'Banco de España' (Bank of Spain) / 'Plus Ultra' (Further Beyond - Latin motto) / 'Cincuenta Pesetas' (Fifty Pesetas) / 'Bradbury Wilkinson & Company, Ltd., Londres' (Bradbury Wilkinson & Company, Ltd., London) / Serial: CL008.080 (repeated in all four corners).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing method of the era. The note was produced by Bradbury Wilkinson & Company Ltd. of London, one of the world's premier banknote printers, renowned for their fine-line engraved security work. The multi-color printing evident in the visual analysis (incorporating purple, red, blue, gold, and green) was achieved through sequential intaglio passes, with careful registration and layering of colors to create the complex decorative patterns and security features visible in both the borders and central designs.

This specific example is identified as Pick 58b, the second variety of the 1906 50 pesetas issue. The serial number CL008.080 and the complete inscription including 'Pagará al portador' (Payable to Bearer) are consistent with the standard variety. The handwritten signatures visible in the visual analysis appear to be the authorized signatures of bank officials (likely 'El Interventor' and 'Del Gobernador' positions mentioned in the inscriptions), which would be typical for this issue. Varieties of this note exist based on signature combinations and potentially different date printings, but without access to comprehensive variety catalogs, the primary distinguishing feature noted here is the Pick designation 58b itself.