1 peso 1896
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This is a 1 Peso note from the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay, issued September 1914 under the Law of August 4, 1896. The note features an exceptionally well-executed engraved portrait of General José Gervasio Artigas in profile on the obverse, surrounded by ornate geometric borders and decorative elements. In Fair condition with visible circulation wear including creasing and light foxing, this note represents a classic example of early 20th-century Uruguayan currency with fine line engraving by the prestigious London printer Waterlow & Sons.
Common. This note appears in eBay market data with examples in Fair condition selling for approximately $20-25, and catalog valuations placing Fair-grade specimens at $8 (2016 valuation). Regular issues from this series (Series V-VIII, issued 1915-36 with subsequent overprints through 1935) had substantial print runs. The existence of multiple signature varieties and the span of issuance dates further indicates considerable circulation and availability. Fair-condition examples remain readily obtainable in the collector market.
This note was issued during a period of monetary reform in Uruguay, authorized by the Law of August 4, 1896, which established the framework for the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay's currency operations. The depiction of General José Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay's national hero and founding figure, reflects his enduring significance in Uruguayan national identity during the early republican period. The reverse features Uruguay's national coat of arms with its symbolic sun, horse, and bull, representing the nation's natural resources and independence, surrounded by laurel wreaths signifying peace and civic virtue.
The obverse features a fine-line engraved portrait of General José Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay's founding military and political leader, rendered in profile facing right with detailed facial features and formal period attire. The portrait is set within an elaborate oval frame composed of decorative scrollwork and geometric patterns. The design incorporates corner emblems displaying the numeral '1', intricate floral and geometric border patterns characteristic of 19th-century security engraving, and ornamental scrollwork throughout. The reverse displays Uruguay's national coat of arms centered within an ornate oval frame, featuring a shield divided into sections with a sun symbol in the upper portion, a horse figure on one side, and a cattle/bull figure below, all surrounded by laurel wreaths and crowned with an ornamental sunburst. Both sides employ the black-on-blue and brown color scheme typical of the period, with the note printed on a cream/beige substrate.
FRONT: 'EL BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY' (The Bank of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay); 'SERIE VI' (Series VI); 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR EN MONEDA LEGAL DE ORO Ó PLATA SELLADA' (Payable to Bearer in Legal Currency of Gold or Stamped Silver); 'UNO PESOS' (One Peso); 'MONTEVIDEO' (Montevideo); 'Septiembre de 1914' (September 1914); 'AVIA VISTA LA CANTIDAD DE LEY DE 4 DE AGOSTO DE 1896' (In Sight of the Quantity of Law of August 4, 1896); 'EL PRESIDENTE' (The President); 'EL DELEGADO DEL GOBIERNO' (The Government Delegate); 'Waterlow & Sons, La Londres' (Waterlow & Sons, London); Serial number 'Q4485739'. BACK: 'BANCO DE LA REPÚBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY' (Bank of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay); 'UN PESO' (One Peso); 'Waterlow & Sons, La Londres' (Waterlow & Sons, London).
Steel engraving by Waterlow & Sons, London, a world-renowned security printer of the era. The note exhibits the characteristic features of fine line engraving including intricate geometric borders, detailed portrait rendering with fine parallel lines, elaborate decorative elements, and multi-component heraldic design work. The precision of the engraved lines visible throughout both obverse and reverse, combined with the complex border patterns and scrollwork, demonstrates the high-security standards employed by Waterlow & Sons in their currency production.
This is identified as P-9b variant (Waterlow & Sons printer marking, as distinguished from other printing sources). The note exhibits 'SÉRIE VI' designation, placing it in the mid-range of the regular series run. The engraved date of 'Septiembre de 1914' on the note itself represents the authorization/release date, with subsequent overprinted dates added during the 1924-35 period on other examples of this type. This specimen shows no additional overprint dates, indicating it is from the initial 1914-1915 printing phase. Multiple signature positions are present as is typical for this issue type.
