Via Stellae II online auction #95

Tuesday, 23 April 2024 | Madrid, 16:00 CEST


1 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. April 1, 1880. No series. (Edifil 2021: 278, Pick: 21). Extraordinarily rare, especially without any repairs. Good Very Fine. PMG20 encapsulation (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, there are only two notes graded by PMG).

As was common during the 19th century and much of the 20th century, the Bank of Spain did not immediately put the banknotes it manufactured into circulation. Normally, in anticipation of the usual forgeries, the engravers were continually working on producing new and more perfect designs that they kept in reserve so that they could be put into the hands of the public immediately when the Bank's Council decided so. On this occasion, we had to wait a few years for this note to be put into circulation, more specifically until October 1883. In a strange monetary configuration, this note shared public life with the issues of 1876 and 1878 that were placed in the hands of the public (with exceptions) at even later dates.

At that time, this note represented the monthly salary of the clerks and collectors of the Bank of Spain. The tellers, auditors and branch directors received several of these per month, but the lowest positions on the ladder did not see a single one of these. The engravers of the Bank of Spain, a profession always fairly well paid, although not as much as in the United States, received two to five of these banknotes a month, but the workshop workers only one or two if they were lucky.

The entire 1880 broadcast, recorded by Federico Navarrete Fos from Alcoy, is of extraordinary beauty. It is difficult to choose one engraving more beautiful than another. From the collector's point of view, this complete series is even more difficult to obtain than the 1876 one, and, as on other occasions, it was also forged.

Automatically generated translation

2 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. May 1, 1882. Intaglio proof of the back of an unissued bill. (Edifil 2021: NE8P). Very rare. Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

3 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. January 1, 1884. No series. (Edifil 2021: 283, Pick: 25). Rare, especially without repairs, staple points. Good Very Fine. PMG35 encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation

4 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. July 1, 1884. No series. (Edifil 2021: 287, Pick: 29). Rare, especially without repairs. Good Very Fine. PMG30 (stain lightened) encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation

5 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. October 1, 1886. No series. (Edifil 2021: 292, Pick: 34). Very rare, minimally repaired. Almost Extremely Fine. Encapsulated PMG40 (tear repair) (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this note is the third highest rated in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

6 | Spanish Banknotes

1000 Pesetas. October 1, 1886. No series. (Edifil 2021: 296, Pick: 38). Extraordinarily rare, lavishly repaired. Almost Very Fine. Encapsulated PMG20NET (Repaired, reconstructed, pieces added) (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, it is the only one qualified in PMG).

Although the Bank of Spain obtained a monopoly on issuance throughout Spanish territory in 1874, the entity continued with its same philosophy of banknote circulation. These would only run in certain provinces where there were branches of the Bank, but at no time was circulation at the national level considered. Among the opponents of this we will even find prominent politicians who would have positions in the Bank of Spain. But the path towards the unification of fiduciary circulation could not be stopped. In 1878, regional circulation was agreed, allowing the exchange of low-denomination banknotes domiciled in some neighboring regions. The first case was between the recently created branches of Reus and Tarragona, later planning circulation between Sevilla, Cádiz and Jerez and several more in the following years.

The difficulty of foreseeing the exchange of banknotes at any point or their recursion at one point represented a headache for the Bank, because it needed to theoretically have much more cash mobilized to be able to cover such circumstances. In March 1882, the Bank ordered that the 25 peseta notes that were issued be accepted in all branches. A little more than a month later, the national circulation of the 50 and 100 peseta bills was agreed. The 1878 issue was used for that purpose.

The process culminated on February 14, 1884 when the extension of 250, 500 and 1000 peseta banknotes as a means of payment nationwide was authorized. However, the public's lack of knowledge and the existence of banknotes with domiciled stamps did not provide an adequate image. That is why the Bank decided to create a new complete issue, that of 1886, in order to provide a unique image to the national banknote. In other words, the aim was to clarify to the public which banknotes were in use throughout the country. In a certain sense, the use of the same vignette on all banknotes symbolized the unification of paper money. The circulation of banknotes multiplied tenfold compared to 1874 in the process of expansion to the entire territory. Between 1886 and 1887, 16 branches of the Bank were opened.

From the collector's point of view, the 500 and 1000 peseta banknotes of 1886 are cult specimens. Very rare, with very few surviving copies, these banknotes are also of great beauty, particularly the 1000 pesetas one. The 500 bill has some auxiliary vignettes designed by Alejandro Ferrant Fischermans that may not be his best portraits, but they are loaded with symbolism. We will also see one of his works on the back of the 500 pesetas of 1928 dedicated to Fernando III the Saint. The portrait of Goya used as the main vignette of this series of banknotes is based on the oil painting by Vicente López, to which the 25 peseta banknote of 1931 would be dedicated almost half a century later. The engravings are the work mainly of Domingo Martínez and Bartolomé Maura.

Automatically generated translation

7 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. June 1, 1889. No series. (Edifil 2021: 298, Pick: 40). Very rare, minimally repaired. Very Fine. PMG30 encapsulation (minor repairs, annotation).
Automatically generated translation

8 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. July 24, 1893. No series. (Edifil 2021: 301, Pick 43). Rare, especially without repairs and in this exceptional quality, original finish. Extremely Fine. Encapsulated PMG50EPQ (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this bill is the second highest rated along with another bill in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

9 | Spanish Banknotes

1000 Pesetas. May 1, 1895. Intaglio proof (without funds), front and back, without numbering and without cashier's signature. (Edifil 2021: 303Pa). Almost Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

10 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. January 2, 1898. No series. (Edifil 2021: 304, Pick 47). Very rare, especially in this exceptional quality and without repairs. Almost Extremely Fine. Encapsulated PMG40 (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this note is the cuarto highest graded in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

11 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. November 25, 1899. Series G. (Edifil 2021: 307a, Pick: 50). Rare in this conservation, especially without any repairs. Good Very Fine. PMG35 encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation

12 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. November 30, 1902. No series. (Edifil 2021: 309, Pick: 52). Extraordinarily rare, especially in this exceptional quality. Good Extremely Fine. Encapsulated PMG55 (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this bill is the second highest rated along with another bill in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

13 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. August 21, 1905. Without numbering, without cashier's signature and "VOID" hole (as is usual on this bill). (Edifil 2021: NE12, Pick: Not catalogued). Very rare, especially in this quality. Good Extremely Fine. PMG55 encapsulation (previously mounted).

In an attempt to regain control of the issuance of banknotes according to the General Plan established by the engineer Luis Marín, it was decided around 1905 to put into issue more 100 peseta banknotes with the 1903 model, that of Fogonero, but changing the date of broadcast and making some engraving adjustments to improve sharpness. The banknote was approved by the Bank Council in a session on March 5, 1906, although it was requested that the obverse be Prussian blue. Given that these banknotes were easily counterfeited due to their not too complex and monochromatic design, it is assumed that, despite the approval, this effort was finally discarded in favor of testing the international market in search of prestigious suppliers that provided greater security measures. . In fact, the contract with Bradbury was only a few months later, which led to Marín's resignation weeks later.

Finding a complete copy of this bill, coming from a 2 x 2 sheet cut by manual tearing, is something extraordinary. Very few complete proofs are known, probably less than five, some of them in black. This copy offered at auction seems to be a color test, since the obverse uses bistre tones and the reverse uses Prussian blue on a yellow background, resulting in a quite successful combination. We do not know the color approved by the Bank for the reverse, but it is conceivable that the color of this specimen would be very similar to the one chosen for the obverse.

Automatically generated translation

14 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. June 30, 1906. No series. (Edifil 2021: 313, Pick: 59a). Very rare, especially in this exceptional quality. Uncirculated. Encapsulated PMG64 (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this bill is the sixth highest rated along with five other bills in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

15 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. July 15, 1907. No series. (Edifil 2021: 318, Pick: 62a). It retains part of the original finish. Good Very Fine.
Automatically generated translation

16 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. July 15, 1907. Color proof of front and back, without numbering and SPECIMEN drilling. (Edifil 2021: 319Pa, Pick: 63cts1, 63cts2). Very rare set. EBC++. Encapsulated PMG58 (minor stains) / 58 (previously mounted).
Automatically generated translation

17 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. July 15, 1907. No series. (Edifil 2021: 320, Pick: 64a). Unusual in this quality, original sizing. Good Extremely Fine. PMG58EPQ package.
Automatically generated translation

18 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. July 15, 1907. No series. (Edifil 2021: 321, Pick: 65a). Very rare, especially in this exceptional quality, and without any repairs. EBC++. Encapsulated PMG58 (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this note is the second highest rated along with nine other notes in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

19 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. December 1, 1908. Not Issued. Without series, with numbering, drilled "UNUSED". (Edifil 2021: NE15, Pick: 68). Extraordinarily rare. EBC++. Encapsulated PMG58 (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this bill is the highest rated along with another bill in PMG).

With the Banknote Manufacturing Section almost mortally wounded after the resignation of technical chief Luis Marín, the Bank of Spain turned to the English printer Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. to manufacture its banknotes. Meanwhile, the Section set to work trying to produce a complete series of banknotes, probably with the intention of regaining the Council's confidence in case the order from England ended in fiasco.

Work had already been done in the workshops on the issuance of the 50 pesetas of 1902, the 100 and 500 pesetas of 1903, the 25 pesetas of 1904, and the 50 pesetas of 1905, whose continuation was the 1,000 pesetas of May 1907, which They were the only product of the workshop that was made public after the contract with Bradbury. They then decided to evolve the style, so different from the 1903 and 1904 banknotes, with the idea of ​​generating modern and functional designs, although they maintained many of the defects of the 19th century banknotes. Vaquer's extraordinary work with the 1,000 peseta bill continued with proofs of 25 pesetas from 1908 that never saw the light of day, but whose engravings are fantastic.

The 100 peseta bill of 1908 was engraved by Bartolomé Maura, the swan song of the brilliant Mallorcan. And although the design of the reverse reminds us of Maura's style from the late 19th century, the organization of the obverse and its dimensions have more similarities with Vaquer's “Angel.” This issue was agreed upon practically at the same time that Bradbury's request was given the starting signal, so it is reasonable to think that the Bank wanted it as a reserve or simply to give its failing department one more chance. At that time it was not clear that the agreement with the English would last that long, so the move seems logical within the general situation of the Bank.

The French paper from Perrigot-Masure purchased for the General Plan was used for its manufacture, the design was developed, printed and even numbered this banknote. But, surely due to the great result of the issuance of 100 pesetas in 1906, they were kept and did not enter circulation. The Bank had been delighted with Bradbury's agility and quality (the percentage of counterfeits plummeted) and long before Maura's note was ready it had already required a reserve issue from the English, that of 1907. The result was that the 1906-1907 issue remained in circulation for almost two decades and by then the Bank was already clear that the 1907 issue was worth it and was more modern than the one produced by Maura and Vaquer, so the projects and banknotes did not issued were discarded. Why the 1,000-peseta “Angel” did see the light of day in the 1920s and not this 100-peseta bill is not known, although it is related to the fact that Bradbury's order for 1906-1907 did not include a thousand-peseta bill. and with the putting into circulation of the July 1907 one along with the bills dated 1906. What is known, in any case, is that the issue was destroyed and that, with the Governor's signature and numbering, only a few bills remained. of “souvenir” that were rendered useless with a point drill. The specimen from the Bank of Spain collection is 2693000. In total, only a dozen are preserved, all of them correlative, although they are never usually seen for sale, which makes them one of the greatest objects of desire for any collector. of Spanish banknotes.

Automatically generated translation

20 | Spanish Banknotes

Set of 3 color proofs of the reverse of the unissued 25 Pesetas in different colors, from the issue of December 1, 1908. (Edifil 2021: NE14Pb). Uncirculated/ Almost Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

21 | Spanish Banknotes

5 Pesetas. 1914. Not issued. Front and back test (adhered together). (Edifil 2021: NE16P, Pick: 68AP). Extraordinarily rare, to give us an idea of ​​the rarity of this specimen, the Edifil catalog illustrates the standard banknote with a test very similar to this one, in our opinion it is only known like this. Uncirculated.

The legislation in force until the outbreak of the Civil War (and afterwards as well, since what happened in the meantime was one exception after another that lasted for a decade after the end of the war), limited the creation and issuance of bank notes. at values ​​between 25 and 1,000 pesetas. However, the Bank of Spain worked on smaller bills on several occasions due to various circumstances.

One of them was a consequence of the First World War. Fiduciary circulation grew extraordinary and these banknotes found support in the large amount of gold acquired by the Bank of Spain during that period. Its reserves of the yellow metal multiplied by five in a decade and became the fourth in the world. However, at the beginning of the war, the Bank feared a rise in the price of silver that could lead to its hoarding by the public. With that idea in mind, the Bank secretly worked on a 5 peseta bill that would serve to withdraw money from circulation in favor of the entity. But since the Bank was able to acquire so much gold during the war, the project was eventually stopped and the test notes were destroyed before being put into circulation. This work, curiously, was not the first, since the Bank had also planned the issuance of banknotes of the same denomination in 1898, during the worst moment of crisis of the Cuban war. Finally, this type of issues came to light during the Civil War with silver certificates, which had been ordered well before the military uprising, so it is reasonable to think that they would have been put into circulation in one way or another.

Of this design and production effort from 1914, only a few loose printing tests of the front and back remain, valued for their great rarity.
Automatically generated translation

22 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. January 23, 1925. Not Issued. No numbering. (Edifil 2021: NE22, Pick: 69A). Very rare especially in this quality. Uncirculated. PMG64 encapsulation.

After several attempts to produce banknotes again in the workshops of the Bank of Spain during the first two decades of the 20th century, with little success (issue of 1903-1905) or practically none during the time of Bradbury's dominance (notes not issued from 1908, 1914, 1915), the Bank's engravers made a last attempt to demonstrate their capabilities. The 1,000 peseta banknote of May 1907, despite formally fitting with the 1906-1907 issue and not with the 1907 reserve issue, was put into circulation as late as January 30, 1925. Barely a week Before that, the proof of 500 pesetas from 1925 appears dated with the image of Cardinal Cisneros. It is possible that the engravers' idea was to take advantage of the launch of a “national” banknote after two decades of English rule to give one last push to the original project of producing the banknotes in the Bank's workshops. But the reality is that on the same date, January 30, 1925, the 500 peseta bill of July 1907 also entered circulation, which would ruin the idea that Cisneros' bill would be successful. Perhaps they thought of using it as a reserve issue in anticipation of the acceptance of the famous “Angel”. The circumstances of this frustrated broadcast, which did not pass the testing phase, are therefore unclear. What does seem evident is that a few years later the same idea of ​​dedicating a bill to Cardinal Cisneros did have a happy ending. These 500 peseta proofs are quite rare and there are quite a few variants, with or without backgrounds and in different colors. Complete front and back color proofs like the one offered are much rarer.
Automatically generated translation

23 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. July 1, 1925. No series. Front and back color proof, SPECIMEN drilling and no signatures. (Edifil 2021: 323M, Pick: 69cts1, 69cts2). Very rare set, matches the one photographed in the Filabo catalog. Almost Uncirculated. PMG63 encapsulation (previously mounted), both.
Automatically generated translation

24 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. October 12, 1926. Without serial, No. 0,000,000, without cashier's signature, drilled SPECIMEN and with the word SPECIMEN in the upper margin. (Edifil 2021: 325M, Pick: 71s). Extraordinarily rare, especially in this exceptional quality. Uncirculated. PMG64EPQ package.
Automatically generated translation

25 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. October 12, 1926. Series B, last series issued. (Edifil 2021: 325a, Pick: 71a). Very rare in this exceptional quality, original sizing. Uncirculated. Encapsulated PMG65EPQ (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this bill is the fifth highest rated along with another bill in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

26 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. May 17, 1927. No series. (Edifil 2021: 326, Pick: 72a). Unusual in this quality. Extremely Fine. PMG53 encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation

27 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. June 1, 1927. Proof presented for approval by the Bank of Spain, without serial, Nº000000, without cashier's signature, CANCELLED hole and control letter "A" in the upper right corner. (Edifil 2021: 327Pc, Pick: 73cts). Extraordinarily rare, especially in this exceptional quality. Good Extremely Fine. PMG55 encapsulation (stains lightened, previously mounted).
Automatically generated translation

28 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. July 1, 1928. No numbering, Bradbury red seal and no cashier's signature. (Edifil 2021: 328Mb, Pick: 74s). Very rare, original finish, matches the one photographed in the Filabo catalogue. Good Extremely Fine. PMG55EPQ package.
Automatically generated translation

29 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. August 15, 1928. No series. (Edifil 2021: 329, Pick: 75a). Unusual, it retains much of the original finish. Extremely Fine.
Automatically generated translation

30 | Spanish Banknotes

1000 Pesetas. July 1, 1925. No series and numbering after 3646000. (Edifil 2021: 351, Pick: 70c). Very rare in this exceptional quality and original sizing. Uncirculated. Encapsulated PMG64EPQ (to give us an idea of ​​the rarity, as of March 1, 2024, this note is the fifth highest rated in PMG).
Automatically generated translation

31 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. July 1, 1928. Series B, Nº0,000,000, CANCELLED drilling in the place of the cashier's signature, numbering and annotations in the upper margin and on the back circulation control from B0,000,001 to B10,000,000. (Edifil 2021: 353M, Pick: 74s). Very rare, it matches the one photographed in the Filabo catalog. Uncirculated. PMG64 encapsulation (printer's annotations, previously mounted).
Automatically generated translation

32 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. August 15, 1928. Proof presented for approval by the Bank of Spain, without serial, NºA,000,000, with hole and control letter in the upper right corner. (Edifil 2021: 356Pc, Pick: 77cts). Very rare, original finish, matches the one photographed in the Filabo catalogue. Uncirculated. PMG64EPQ package.
Automatically generated translation

33 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. August 15, 1928. No numbering, Bradbury red seal and no cashier's signature. (Edifil 2021: 356Mb, Pick: 77s). Very rare, original finish. Uncirculated. PMG64EPQ package.
Automatically generated translation

34 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. August 15, 1928. No series. (Edifil 2021: 356, Pick: 77a). It retains all its original finish. Almost Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

35 | Spanish Banknotes

Set of 4 50 peseta banknotes issued on May 17, 1927 and August 15, 1928, respectively, all of them without series and with REPUBLICA / ESPAÑOLA rubber stamp. (Edifil 2021: 332, 331). Very Fine.
Automatically generated translation

36 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. October 12, 1926. Series A and dry seal PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC / APRIL 14, 1931. (Edifil 2021: 335, Pick: 71b). Rare in this quality, it retains much of its original size and central waviness that does not break the fiber. EBC+++.
Automatically generated translation

37 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. May 17, 1927. Without series, dry stamp PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC / APRIL 14, 1931 and REPUBLIC / SPANISH rubber stamp. (Edifil 2021: 341, Pick 72b). Very Fine.
Automatically generated translation

38 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. July 24, 1927. Without series, numbering prior to 1602000 and with the seal PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC / APRIL 14, 1931. (Edifil 2021: 346, Pick 73b). Almost Very Fine.
Automatically generated translation

39 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. June 15, 1907. Without series and dry seal PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC / APRIL 14, 1931. (Edifil 2021: 345, Pick: 65b). Unusual. Very Fine.
Automatically generated translation

40 | Spanish Banknotes

Set of 3 banknotes of 25 pesetas, 50 Pesetas and 1000 Pesetas issued on September 24, 1906, July 15, 1907 and July 1, 1925, respectively all of them dry stamped PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC / APRIL 14, 1931. (Edifil 2021: 333, 338, 347 Pick: 57b, 63b, 70b). TO EXAMINE.
Automatically generated translation

41 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. April 25, 1931. No series. (Edifil 2021: 358, Pick: 81). It retains all its original finish. Good Extremely Fine.
Automatically generated translation

42 | Spanish Banknotes

100 Pesetas. April 25, 1931. Color proofs of front and back (adhered together), without series and holes in the signatures. (Edifil 2021: 360Pa, 360Pb). Very rare, retains all its original finish. Almost Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

43 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. April 25, 1931. No series. (Edifil 2021: 361, Pick: 84). It retains all its original finish. Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

44 | Spanish Banknotes

5 Pesetas. 1935. Silver Certificate. No serie. (Edifil 2021: 363, Pick: 85a). It retains all its original finish. Almost Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

45 | Spanish Banknotes

10 Pesetas. 1935. Silver Certificate. No serie. (Edifil 2021: 364, Pick: 86a). It retains all its original finish. Uncirculated.
Automatically generated translation

46 | Spanish Banknotes

500 Pesetas. January 7, 1935. No series. (Edifil 2021: 365, Pick: 89). Uncirculated. PMG64 encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation

47 | Spanish Banknotes

50 Pesetas. July 22, 1935. Series A, numbering 0,000,000, "SPECIMEN" drill and without the cashier's signature. (Edifil 2021: 366M, Pick: 88as). Very rare. EBC++. PMG58 encapsulation (printer's annotations).
Automatically generated translation

48 | Spanish Banknotes

25 Pesetas. August 31, 1936. Color proof, Nº0000000 and drilling (Edifil 2021: 367P, Pick: 87cts). Very rare, original size, matches the one photographed in the Filabo catalogue. Uncirculated. PMG65EPQ (printer's annotation) encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation

49 | Spanish Banknotes

Complete series of 5 Bank of Bilbao banknotes, issued in 1936 including the 5 Pesetas (without series and series A), 25 Pesetas, 50 Pesetas and 100 Pesetas. (Edifil 2021: 368/71 368A Pick: S551a, S551b, S552, S553, S554). Very Fine.
Automatically generated translation

50 | Spanish Banknotes

2'50 Pesetas. September 25, 1936. Generalitat de Catalunya. Series A, in red. (Edifil 2021: 372a, Pick: S591a). Unusual in this quality. Extremely Fine. PMG50 encapsulation.
Automatically generated translation