Catalog
20 Pesos
| Issuer | Banco Nacional de las Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata |
|---|---|
| Year | 1829 |
| 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 | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| 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 | The obverse is dominated by an elaborate calligraphic design in letterpress, with the bank title 'Banco Nacional de las Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata' in ornate script across the upper portion. A central vignette shows three allegorical female figures, flanked on the left by two circular guilloche medallions enclosing the Argentine coat of arms and a numeral '0'. The promise to pay text reads 'Promete pagar al portador y a la vista VEINTE PESOS en Moneda Metálica', with the issuing location 'BUENOS AYRES' and date in manuscript, signed below by the Presidente y Directores. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 20 PESOS Banco Nacional de las Provincias Unidas del Rio de la Plata Promete pagar al portador y a la vista VEINTE PESOS en Moneda Metalica BUENOS AYRES Por el Presidente y Directores |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| 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 |
The Banco Nacional de las Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata was a short-lived institution, founded in 1826 and liquidated by 1836 after chronic political interference and the financial strain of the war with Brazil made its position untenable. Notes from the 1829 period were printed locally in Buenos Aires at a time when the bank had already lost public confidence — runs on its reserves were not uncommon, and convertibility had been suspended.
Locally produced paper currency from this period is technically rudimentary compared to contemporary European-printed issues from neighboring states. The PS# prefix in the Pick catalogue indicates private or quasi-official bank status rather than a central government obligation.