Catalog
100 Bolívares
| Issuer | Banco Caracas |
|---|---|
| Year | 1902 |
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| Shape | Rectangular |
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| Obverse description | The obverse bears a classical allegorical female figure seated at left, rendered in intaglio, with a harbour scene in the background. At centre, the bank title 'BANCO CARACAS COMPAÑÍA ANÓNIMA' is set in bold letterpress within an ornate guilloche framework, with the promise text and denomination 'CIEN BOLÍVARES' in large script below. To the right, a circular portrait vignette of a young woman is framed by fine lathe-work, with the denomination '100' in each upper corner and underprint tinting throughout. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | BANCO CARACAS COMPAÑÍA ANÓNIMA CAPITAL: Bs 6.000.000 El Banco Caracas pagará al portador en dinero efectivo CIEN BOLÍVARES A LA PRESENTACIÓN DE ESTE BILLETE, EN LAS OFICINAS DEL BANCO. Caracas de 19 DIRECTOR GERENTE No 000000 SPECIMEN The Homer Lee Bank Note Co. New York |
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| Comments |
Banco Caracas was a private commercial bank operating during Venezuela's turbulent pre-centralization period, before the Banco Central de Venezuela existed. This 100 Bolívares note was issued in 1902 — the same year Germany, Britain, and Italy initiated a naval blockade of Venezuelan ports over unpaid foreign debts, a crisis that effectively crippled domestic commerce and made private bank liquidity a matter of national urgency.
Homer Lee Bank Note Co. of New York was a minor but active player in the Latin American printing trade, handling contracts that larger firms like ABNC occasionally declined. The firm was absorbed into American Bank Note Company in 1908, which makes all Homer Lee production inherently finite.