2 Reales

Pick 1 is among the earliest paper money issued by the Dominican Republic, appearing almost immediately after independence was declared from Haiti on 27 February 1844. The new government needed a functioning circulating medium fast, and these notes were part of that improvised financial infrastructure — produced under significant logistical constraints with no established central bank yet in place.

The 2 Reales denomination reflects the Spanish colonial monetary system still in use, retained by necessity rather than design. Haiti had suppressed many Spanish-era commercial structures during its 22-year rule, so even familiar denominations carried political weight in 1844.