10 bolivares 1971
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a beautifully preserved example of the 1971 Venezuelan 10 Bolívares note (P-51a), printed by the American Bank Note Company and issued by Banco Central de Venezuela. The note displays the characteristic purple/violet color scheme with green security elements, featuring dual portraits of Simón Bolívar and Antonio José de Sucre in excellent uncirculated condition with no visible wear, creases, or printing defects. The sharp engraving, clean margins, and pristine condition make this an attractive example for collectors of Latin American currency.
Common. While this note has a catalog value of $12.50 USD in uncirculated condition (2019), the eBay market data shows mixed pricing typical of common notes in circulation, ranging from $6.50 to $129.00 USD depending on specific condition and variant. The broad price range and frequent availability in the secondary market, combined with a substantial print run from 1971-1979 under Pick number P-51a, indicate this is a common issue. No evidence suggests this was a short print run, recalled, or from a limited issuing period. Notes of this era and denomination from Venezuela are readily obtainable.
This note was issued in 1971 during Venezuela's period of economic growth fueled by oil revenues, when the Banco Central de Venezuela undertook a comprehensive redesign of its currency series. The front prominently features Simón Bolívar (labeled 'Bolívar-Libertador'), the great South American independence leader, alongside Antonio José de Sucre, his trusted military commander and first president of Bolivia, reflecting Venezuela's pride in its revolutionary heritage. The reverse depicts a monument to the Battle of Carabobo, commemorating the 1821 victory that secured Venezuelan independence, reinforcing national identity during a period of stability and modernization.
The obverse features a symmetrical layout with two prominent historical portraits: Simón Bolívar ('Bolívar-Libertador') on the left side and Antonio José de Sucre ('Mariscal Sucre') on the right side. These portraits are rendered in fine detail with classical engraving techniques. The center of the note displays an ornate emblem containing the denomination '10' within decorative baroque-style frames and flourishes. The inscription 'PAGADEROS AL PORTADOR EN LAS OFICINAS DEL BANCO' (Payable to Bearer at the Bank's Offices) reflects the note's function as a bearer instrument. The reverse showcases the Monument to the Battle of Carabobo, a significant national monument depicting an equestrian or multi-figure sculptural complex on an elevated platform, surrounded by classical architectural styling. The Venezuelan coat of arms appears in a circular frame on the right side of the reverse, incorporating national heraldic elements and shield design. Both sides employ the dominant purple/violet coloring with green security background patterns, cream/white elements, and gray tones in the monument rendering. Fine line work and ornate engraved borders throughout provide both aesthetic appeal and security features.
FRONT SIDE: 'DIEZ' (Ten) / 'BANCO CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA' (Central Bank of Venezuela) / 'CARACAS' (Caracas) / 'DIEZ BOLIVARES' (Ten Bolivares) / 'PAGADEROS AL PORTADOR EN LAS OFICINAS DEL BANCO' (Payable to Bearer at the Bank's Offices) / 'FECHA' (Date) / 'JUNIO-22-1971' (June 22, 1971) / 'BOLIVAR-LIBERTADOR' (Bolívar the Liberator) / 'MARISCAL SUCRE' (Marshal Sucre) / 'PRESIDENTE' (President) / 'PRIMER VICE-PRESIDENTE' (First Vice President) / 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company) / Serial number 'V8548089'. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA' (Central Bank of Venezuela) / 'DIEZ' (Ten) / 'DIEZ BOLIVARES' (Ten Bolivares) / 'REPÚBLICA DE VENEZUELA' (Republic of Venezuela) / 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company).
Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed by the American Bank Note Company of New York. The detailed portraiture, ornamental borders, fine line work visible in the security patterns, and the three-dimensional quality of the engraved elements are all characteristic of professional intaglio production. The note exhibits the hallmarks of ABNC's high-security banknote printing standards of the era, including detailed background security patterns with repeated text elements and precisely executed decorative flourishes.
This specific example carries the serial number prefix 'V' with a 7-digit serial number (V8548089), consistent with the standard format described for P-51a. The date observed on this note is 'JUNIO-22-1971' (June 22, 1971), which falls within the stated issuance period of 1971-1979. According to PMG population data, there are multiple catalogued variants for the Pick number P-51 base (P-51f, P-51s1, P-51s2, P-51s3, P-51s4), suggesting signature and/or serial number prefix variations exist within this issue. The 'U-A' prefix variant mentioned in reference data may represent a different variety. This particular specimen with 'V' prefix appears to be from the standard production run of P-51a.
