1000 peseta banknote from 1928 (Ferdinand III): what it is and if yours is worth anything

If you have in front of you a banknote that reads EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA, 1000 PESETAS, and the date August 15, 1928, this is what you have: the banknote cataloged as Pick-78.

It is part of the August 15, 1928 issue, the last major series dated during the reign of Alfonso XIII: five banknotes printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and dedicated to great figures of Spanish history and culture (Calderón, Velázquez, Cervantes, Cisneros, and Ferdinand III). Several did not reach circulation with the King: they were released during the Second Republic, and in huge quantities.

Here you have who or what appears on it, how to distinguish it from those that look like it, how to check if yours is an original, and what to do if you want to sell it. You won't find prices: I explain why further down.

Ferdinand III the Saint: who is the face on this banknote

Ferdinand III the Saint (c. 1199 - Seville, 1252), King of Castile and León, who conquered Seville in 1248 and is buried in its cathedral. On the obverse, he appears next to the Cathedral of Seville.

On the reverse, a scene of King Ferdinand receiving communion.

Banknote Fact Sheet

Face value 1000 pesetas
Banknote date August 15, 1928
Pick catalog P-78
Printer Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., New Malden (England)
Series No series
Signatures Carlos Vergara Cailleaux, Adolfo Castaño Orejón, and Bonifacio Burgos Delgado
Obverse Ferdinand III, King of Castile and León, and the Cathedral of Seville
Reverse King Ferdinand receiving communion

How to know if yours is an original

Many originals of this banknote have been preserved, but reproductions also circulate: collector sheets from the seventies and eighties, catalog facsimiles, and press reprints. It is worth ruling this out first.

This banknote was printed in England by the Bradbury Wilkinson firm, one of the world's great banknote printers, using intaglio (steel engraving) technique. That leaves specific marks that a modern reproduction does not have:

  • Relief to the touch. Run your fingertip over the design, the figures, and the letters of the title: on an original, you can feel the raised ink. An offset-printed facsimile is completely flat.
  • Engraved line, not dots. With a ten-power magnifying glass, the original engraving is resolved into fine, continuous lines. If you see a grid of dots, it is a modern print.
  • Watermark in the pulp. Held up to the light, the watermark should appear formed within the paper, not printed on top.
  • Banknote paper, not photocopier paper. The original is durable, substantial paper that makes a sound when shaken. Modern coated paper is smooth and cold.

Specific checks for this banknote

  • Check the exact motif. On the obverse — Ferdinand III and the Cathedral of Seville. On the reverse — the King receiving communion.
  • Even though it bears the date 1928, it circulated during the Republic. That is normal: this banknote was only put into circulation during the Second Republic.
  • Do not confuse it with the 1925 issue. The 1000 pesetas banknote from 1925 features Charles I. This one, from 1928, features Ferdinand III.

I will confirm it for you for free. If it turns out to be a reproduction, I will tell you anyway: I have nothing to gain by making you believe otherwise.

Original or facsimile? I'll let you know today, no strings attached
WhatsApp +34 644 54 98 79
info@iberoamericanabanknotes.com

Is your banknote worth anything? Most likely not

I’m telling you straight, because it’s what I’m asked most: there are tons of these banknotes. They were printed by the millions, circulated for years, and many families kept one in a drawer. Except for rare exceptions, only those in perfect condition have value: no stains, no folds, no tears, and no worn corners. It is most likely that yours, if it has circulated, is worth nothing or almost nothing.

To find out if it is truly perfect, look at it with tangential light: turn off the ceiling light, place a lamp or window light from the side, almost skimming the banknote, and tilt it slowly. This is how folds, marks from having been folded, and pressed areas appear that aren't visible from the front. A banknote that looks new at first glance often has a fold in the center.

I do not publish price ranges, and I'll explain why: the value depends entirely on the specific specimen, and that cannot fit in a table. A generic figure from the internet only leads to disappointment. Send me photos and I will value your banknote, not "one like yours."

And before showing it to anyone: do not iron it, do not wash it, do not tape anything with scotch tape, and do not put it in soft PVC. All four things are irreversible. I explain this in detail in the guide to selling old banknotes.

How I buy them from you

If yours is perfect, or is one of those exceptions, the process is simple.

You send me photos via WhatsApp — obverse, reverse, a detail of the serial number, and one backlit — and I will reply in less than 24 hours telling you what you have and, if I am interested, with a firm offer. I pay for shipping, and I transfer the funds the same day I receive and verify the piece; if it does not match the photos, I will return it to you and pay for the return shipping.

I am Fran, from Iberoamericana Banknotes, an authorized PMG dealer. I can also value it just for insurance or inheritance purposes, without selling anything, and I can manage the grading by PMG or consignment for you.

It doesn't matter where you live: I buy throughout Spain and the process is the same. If you are in Asturias, I can also go see it at your home at no cost, or we can look at it calmly at my shop in Gijón, at 77 Calle Cabrales, by appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is on the 1928 1000 peseta banknote?
Ferdinand III the Saint, King of Castile and León, next to the Cathedral of Seville. On the reverse, the King appears receiving communion.

How do I know if mine is an original or a reproduction?
The quickest way: look at the design with a magnifying glass (continuous engraved line for an original, dot pattern for a copy) and run your finger over the letters looking for relief. If you have doubts, send me photos and I'll tell you for free, even if it turns out to be a facsimile.

How much is the 1928 1000 peseta banknote worth?
It is most common that it's worth little or nothing. Many of these banknotes have been preserved and, except for rare exceptions, only perfect specimens have value: without stains, folds, or tears. Look at it with tangential light, a side light skimming the banknote, to see if it has folds. If it is perfect, send me photos and I'll tell you what it's worth.

Do you buy them even if they are circulated?
Usually not. There are so many of these banknotes that a specimen with folds, stains, or tears has no market among collectors. I am only interested in those that are perfect or rare variants. If you are in doubt, send me photos and I will tell you with no obligation.

The other banknotes in this issue

Other 1000 peseta banknotes from the Bank of Spain

If you aren't sure which one yours is, compare it with these: they are all 1000 pesetas but from different issues.

General guide: selling old Bank of Spain banknotes. If you also have pesetas from other eras, here is which peseta banknotes and coins have value.

Send me a photo of the obverse and another of the reverse and I'll tell you today what you have.
WhatsApp +34 644 54 98 79

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¿Prefieres venderlo en consignación?

Además de comprártelo, puedo venderlo por ti en consignación. Es la forma de sacar más dinero por tu colección: la ofrezco a los compradores que más pagan por cada pieza, porque llevo diez años construyendo una base de datos de compradores segmentada y sé a quién ofrecer cada billete o moneda.

Yo cobro un porcentaje de la venta, así que cuanto mejor la vendo, más ganas tú. La contrapartida es el tiempo: encontrar al comprador que más paga lleva más que una compra directa. Por eso es ideal si no tienes prisa por vender.

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Te atiendo en mi tienda de Gijón, Calle Cabrales 77, junto al Parque de Begoña, con cita previa. Y si vives lejos, en cualquier concejo de Asturias voy a tu casa gratis después de ver unas fotos.

Escríbeme por WhatsApp: +34 644 54 98 79