Catalog
200 Pesos Fuertes
| Issuer | Banco Español Filipino de Isabel 2a |
|---|---|
| Year | 1852 |
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| Shape | Rectangular |
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| Obverse description | Intaglio-printed note with an oval vignette at centre top bearing a portrait of Queen Isabel II wearing a crown and royal attire, flanked by two denomination panels reading 'P.F. 200' within ornate guilloche frames. Elaborate calligraphic scrollwork borders the left and right margins, and the serial number 'Nº' appears twice symmetrically below the denomination panels. The lower portion carries the full issuer legend, the promise-to-pay clause, and three signature lines for El Comisario Regio, El Director, and El Cajero, with a date line reading '1º de Enero de 1865 — Manila'. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | EL BANCO ESPAÑOL FILIPINO DE ISABEL 2ª à la presentacion de este billete pagará al portador DOSCIENTOS pesos fuertes. 1º de Enero de 1865 · Manila · 1º de Enero de 1865 El Comisario Regio · El Director · El Cajero Nº 001613 P.F. 200 |
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| Comments |
The Banco Español Filipino de Isabel 2ª was the first bank established in the Philippines, founded by royal decree in 1851, and these early peso fuerte notes from its inaugural series are among the oldest surviving banknotes issued on Philippine soil. The 200 pesos fuerte denomination placed this firmly in the hands of merchants and colonial administrators — not ordinary circulation.
Printed locally in Manila rather than sent to a European security printer, the production quality reflects the constraints of mid-19th century colonial infrastructure. P#3A is exceptionally rare in any condition.