Catalog
2 Soles
| Issuer | Peru |
|---|---|
| Year | 1879 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | 156 x 78 mm |
| 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 | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | LA REPÚBLICA DEL PERÚ PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR DOS SOLES CONFORME A LO DISPUESTO EN LAS LEYES De 27 De ENERO Y 4 De FEBRERO De 1879 Lima, Junio 30 de 1879 POR LA JUNTA ADMINISTRADORA Y DE VIJILANCIA DE LA EMISION FISCAL American Bank Note Co. New York (Translation: The Republic of Peru Will pay to the bearer Two Soles (Two Suns) Accordingly to stated on Laws from January 27th, & February 4th., 1879 Lima, June 30th., 1879 By Administrative and Oversight Board of Fiscal Issue American Bank Note Co. New York) |
| Reverse description | The country name is split across the upper and lower margins, framing a central panel in which the face value appears in Arabic numerals and Roman numerals at center, with the denomination in letters repeated on both lateral sides. The overall layout is symmetrical, relying on typographic composition rather than pictorial vignettes, with the printer's imprint at the base. |
| 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 |
Peru's fiscal position in 1879 was already precarious when the War of the Pacific broke out in April of that year, forcing the government to issue paper currency it could not back with silver. This 2 Soles note was part of an emergency emission authorized under that wartime pressure — the Peruvian treasury would continue printing throughout the conflict, driving the notes toward rapid depreciation as Chilean forces advanced north.
The American Bank Note Company was the dominant supplier of intaglio-printed currency to Latin American governments throughout the 19th century, and Peru had an established relationship with the firm well before this series.