Catalog
1.000 Bolívares
| Issuer | Banco de Caracas |
|---|---|
| Year | 1879 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | The obverse is dominated by a large central vignette with the numeral '1000' set within an ornate engraved cartouche, flanked by the bank's title 'BANCO DE CARACAS' in bold letterpress. Below the central vignette, the text 'COMPAÑIA ANÓNIMA' and capital details are inscribed, with a promise-to-pay clause in cursive script reading 'que se pagarán al portador en Caracas á la presentación'. Oval counter panels bearing the denomination '1000' appear at the lower left and right corners, while a fine guilloche underprint covers the entire note in a light cream tone. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Caracas, de 18 BANCO DE CARACAS COMPAÑIA ANÓNIMA CAPITAL VALE POR Mil Bolívar Bs. 300.000 que se pagarán al portador en Caracas á la presentación Por la Direccion El Secretario Contador MIL |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
The Banco de Caracas was a private commercial bank chartered in 1876, one of several Venezuelan institutions granted note-issuing privileges during the presidency of Antonio Guzmán Blanco. This 1.000 Bolívares is among the highest denominations issued by any private Venezuelan bank of the period — a face value that would have been entirely impractical for ordinary transactions and suggests issuance primarily for interbank settlement or large commercial transfers.
Venezuelan private bank notes of this era were frequently challenged, suspended, or recalled as Guzmán Blanco repeatedly renegotiated the terms of banking concessions to suit his fiscal needs. High-denomination survivors are genuinely rare.