The Banco Internacional de Costa Rica was established by government decree in 1914 as a state-owned institution, absorbing the note-issuing functions previously held by private banks. This 50 Colones belongs to the earliest period of that transition — a high-denomination note issued by an institution that had existed for months, not years, and whose public credibility was still being built.
ABNC produced the plates in New York under their standard intaglio process. The watermark in the cotton substrate was the primary security measure, reflecting what was then considered sufficient for Central American circulation volumes.
The Banco Internacional de Costa Rica was established by government decree in 1914 as a state-owned institution, absorbing the note-issuing functions previously held by private banks. This 50 Colones belongs to the earliest period of that transition — a high-denomination note issued by an institution that had existed for months, not years, and whose public credibility was still being built.
ABNC produced the plates in New York under their standard intaglio process. The watermark in the cotton substrate was the primary security measure, reflecting what was then considered sufficient for Central American circulation volumes.