Catalog
1 Peso
| Issuer | Banco Centro-Americano |
|---|---|
| Year | 1888 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | Plain text design with a simple border frame running the perimeter of the note. The bank name "EL BANCO CENTRO-AMERICANO" is inscribed in large letters across the upper portion, with the denomination "UN PESO" in bold at centre. A large circular official seal of the Republic of Honduras, Ministerio de la Gobernación, is struck over the centre of the note. The lower portion carries the place and date inscription "REPUBLICA DE HONDURAS — TEGUCIGALPA, NOVIEMBRE 30 DE 1888" along with two serial numbers on the left and right margins and three manuscript signatures of bank officials. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Austere unprinted design with a simple rectangular border frame. The issuer name "BANCO CENTRO-AMERICANO" is printed in bold across the upper centre, and the denomination "UN PESO" appears in large bold type at mid-field. Below the denomination, the place name "TEGUCIGALPA" is printed in capitals. A circular official bank seal of the Banco Centro-Americano, República de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, is applied in the lower left quadrant. |
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| Comments |
The Banco Centro-Americano was one of several private banks operating under Honduran concession in the late nineteenth century, a period when the country had no central bank and note-issuing rights were farmed out to commercial institutions. These banks often printed locally rather than commissioning the established European or American security printers, which is precisely what makes this note unusual — domestic Honduran printing in 1888 was crude by any standard, and the official stamp served as the primary authenticating device in lieu of more sophisticated security.
The bank's operational history was short and poorly documented. Surviving notes from this issuer are genuinely rare.