Catalog
500 Mil Reis
| Issuer | Banco dos Estados Unidos do Brazil, Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|
| Year | 1890 |
| Type | Pattern or trial banknote |
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| Reverse description | The reverse is dominated on the left half by an elaborate circular guilloche rosette in green underprint, with the denomination legend QUINHENTOS / MIL REIS worked into the lathe-work surround. The right half carries a detailed engraved landscape vignette showing a panoramic coastal or harbour view, framed within an oval. Corner numerals 500 appear at upper right, and a fine geometric border of interlocking star and rosette patterns frames the entire note. |
| Reverse lettering | QUINHENTOS MIL REIS LEI N° 3303 DE 31 DE OUTUBRO DE 1888 500 |
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| Comments |
The Banco dos Estados Unidos do Brazil was not a central bank but a private commercial institution granted sweeping note-issuing privileges by the newly installed republican government in late 1890 — part of the controversial Encilhamento financial reforms pushed through by Finance Minister Rui Barbosa. The policy flooded Brazil with paper credit, triggering rampant speculation and ultimately a severe monetary crisis that lasted through the mid-1890s.
This 500 Mil Reis note belongs to that first wave of republican-era emission. The bank itself was short-lived; its authorization was revoked as part of the post-Encilhamento cleanup, making the window of legitimate issue extremely narrow.