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20 000 Reis Bolama seal

Issuer Banco Nacional Ultramarino
Year 1909
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Currency Real (decimalized, 1841-1910)
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Reverse description Printed in red and orange on a dense guilloche underprint. A central circular vignette, ringed by the legend BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO, contains an allegorical seated female figure with sailing ships in the background; the denomination numeral 20 appears in large characters to either side within the elaborate lathe-work border.
Reverse lettering PAGAVEL NA AGENCIA DE BOLAMA BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO
(Translation: Payable in the Agency of Bolama, National Bank Overseas)
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Comments

The Banco Nacional Ultramarino was the sole institution authorized to issue banknotes across Portuguese overseas territories, and this 20,000 Réis belongs to the series overprinted for Guinea — specifically validated for circulation through the Bolama branch, then the colonial capital. The "Bolama seal" designation distinguishes it from otherwise identical plates prepared for other BNU territories; the same Bradbury Wilkinson printing served multiple colonies, differentiated only by the validation stamp applied before release.

Bolama lost its status as capital to Bissau in 1941, which puts a hard ceiling on how long notes bearing this seal could have remained in active use.

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