50 centesimos 1939

Common. The 50 centesimos denomination from 1939 was produced as part of a standard currency circulation series by the Uruguayan central bank with no indication of extremely limited print runs or short-lived issuance. Series N notes of this denomination appear regularly in the collector market. Without evidence of a recalled issue or extraordinarily small print run, and given the straightforward nature of this standard circulating denomination, this note should be classified as common despite its UNC condition.

Issued under the Law of January 2, 1939, this banknote was produced by the Emission Department of the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay during a period of currency standardization and modernization in the country. The reverse features Uruguay's national coat of arms—displaying the rising sun, wheat sheaves, laurel wreath, and symbolic horse—reflecting the nation's agrarian heritage and republican values during the interwar period. The denomination 'Moneda Nacional' (National Currency) emphasizes the note's role in establishing stable domestic currency control.

The obverse features a formal portrait of an unidentified Uruguayan statesman or official in a center oval medallion, shown facing forward in period formal attire with visible collar, surrounded by ornate decorative borders incorporating floral and geometric patterns. Corner medallions display the denomination 0.50. The reverse displays Uruguay's national coat of arms as the central focal point within an oval medallion, characterized by classical heraldic elements including a rising sun with radiating rays, wheat sheaves representing agricultural prosperity, a laurel wreath symbolizing honor and victory, and a symbolic horse. Both sides feature intricate symmetrical ornamental designs serving both aesthetic and security functions. The color scheme of green and beige/tan with red serial numbers is consistent throughout.

FRONT SIDE: 'El Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay pagará al portador y a la vista' (The Emission Department of the Bank of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay will pay to bearer on sight); '0.50' and 'Cincuenta Centesimos' (Fifty centesimos); 'Moneda Nacional' (National currency); 'Ley de 2 de Enero de 1939' (Law of January 2, 1939); 'Montevideo'; signature lines for 'Presidente' (President), 'Gerente General' (General Manager), and 'Secretario General' (General Secretary); 'Serie N' (Series N); Serial number '477613'. REVERSE SIDE: 'Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay' (Emission Department of the Bank of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay); '0.50' and 'Cincuenta Centesimos' (Fifty centesimos).

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing, as evidenced by the crisp, fine-line details, intricate border patterns, and the precise registration visible in the decorative elements. The complexity of the ornamental designs and the sharp impression of denominations and inscriptions are characteristic of high-quality bank note engraving. While the specific security printer is not definitively identified in available records for Pick P-34, the technical quality suggests work by a major security printing establishment capable of handling central bank currency production.

This example is identified as Serie N (Series N), which represents a specific production variety of the 1939 issue. The serial number 477613 is visible on both obverse and reverse. Collectors of this Pick number should note that different series designations (A through N or similar) may exist for this issue, representing distinct print runs or production batches. The presence of three signature lines suggests this note may exist with different signature combinations depending on which officials were in office during its production.