1893 25-peseta banknote: what it is and what to do if you have one

If you have in front of you a banknote that reads EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA, 25 PESETAS, and the date July 24, 1893, this is what you have: the banknote cataloged as Pick-42.

Obverse of the 25 pesetas banknote of the Bank of Spain from July 24, 1893, Jovellanos Reverse of the 25 pesetas banknote of the Bank of Spain from July 24, 1893
Obverse and reverse of the 25 pesetas banknote from July 24, 1893. Image from the Banknote Mate (Catamates) catalog, used with permission.

It is part of the 1893-1895 issue, manufactured in the Bank of Spain's workshop in Madrid: the 25, 50, and 100 peseta banknotes of July 24, 1893, dedicated to Jovellanos, and the 1000 peseta banknote of May 1, 1895, dedicated to Cabarrús.

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

Jovellanos: who is the face on this banknote

Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (Gijón, 1744 - Puerto de Vega, Navia, 1811), the great Asturian Enlightenment figure: jurist, writer, reformer, and Minister of Grace and Justice under Charles IV. He founded the Royal Asturian Institute of Nautical Science and Mineralogy in Gijón, and his name is still found on streets, squares, and schools throughout Asturias. If you are from here, this banknote has special interest.

On the obverse, printed in dark blue, is the bust of Jovellanos looking to the right. On the reverse, in brown, the head of Athena with a helmet in the center and Mercury in full body with the caduceus on the right. It was engraved by Bartolomé Maura.

Banknote fact sheet

Face value 25 pesetas
Date of issue July 24, 1893
Pick catalog P-42
Printer Bank of Spain workshop, Madrid
Engraver Bartolomé Maura
Mintage 9,000,000 copies
Dimensions 110 × 70 mm
Put into circulation October 1895
Watermark Profile head of Apollo and the value "25"
Signatures Pío Gullón, Ricardo Rubio, and Fernando Pérez Casariego
Obverse Bust of Jovellanos looking to the right, in dark blue
Reverse Head of Athena with helmet and full-body Mercury with caduceus, in brown

How to tell if yours is original

It is worth knowing this above all else, because far more reproductions than originals of Spanish banknotes from this era are in circulation: collector's prints from the seventies and eighties, catalog facsimiles, and press reprints.

This banknote was engraved and printed in the Bank of Spain's workshop in Madrid, using intaglio technique on quality paper. This leaves specific marks that a modern reproduction does not have:

  • Relief to the touch. Run your fingertip over the drawing, the numbers, and the letters of the title: on an original, you can feel the raised ink. An offset-printed facsimile is completely flat.
  • Engraved lines, not screen pattern. With a ten-times magnifying glass, the original engraving resolves into fine, continuous lines. If you see a grid of dots, it is a modern print.
  • Watermark in the paper pulp. When 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 a durable, substantive paper that makes a sound when shaken. Modern coated paper is smooth and cold.

Specific checks for this banknote

  • Measure it. This banknote measures 110 × 70 mm. Photographic copies almost always lose two or three millimeters, so a ruler settles many doubts in ten seconds.
  • Check the exact motif. On the obverse — the bust of Jovellanos, in dark blue. On the reverse — the head of Athena and Mercury with the caduceus.
  • Look for the head of Apollo. When held up to the light, the profile head of Apollo and the value of the banknote should appear formed within the paper.
  • The original paper is thick. If yours is very thin and soft, it may be due to wear, but also due to washing or "repairing." This is something worth looking at calmly.
  • Do not confuse it with the 1899 issue. The 25 peseta banknote from 1899 has a very similar reverse (Athena and Mercury), but features Quevedo on the obverse. Here the face is Jovellanos.
  • Keep the mintage in mind. 9,000,000 copies were printed, a high mintage for the time, but that was over 130 years ago and most were destroyed.

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

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

What makes it worth more or less

Condition is king: since it is a high-mintage banknote, the difference between one heavily circulated and one clean and unrestored is enormous. Beware of flattened or washed specimens: the original paper is thick.

I do not publish price ranges, and I will explain why: the value depends entirely on the specific specimen, and that cannot fit into 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 stick anything with adhesive tape, and do not put it in soft PVC. All four things are irreversible. I explain this in detail in my guide to selling old banknotes.

How I buy them from you

You send me photos via WhatsApp —obverse, reverse, a detail of the numbering, and one held up to the light— 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 will transfer the money the same day I receive and verify the piece; if it does not match the photos, I will return it at my own shipping expense.

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 PMG grading 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 come to see it at your home at no cost, or we can look at it calmly at my store in Gijón, at Calle Cabrales 77, by appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is on the 25 peseta banknote of 1893?
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, the Enlightenment figure born in Gijón. On the reverse appear the head of Athena with a helmet and Mercury with the caduceus.

How many were printed?
9,000,000 copies were printed, a high mintage for the time, but that was over 130 years ago and most were destroyed.

How do I know if mine is an original or a reproduction?
The quickest way: look at the drawing with a magnifying glass (continuous engraved line on an original, dot screen on 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 1893 25 peseta banknote worth?
It depends entirely on the specimen: condition, margins, and any repairs move the price drastically. I don't give blind figures because they wouldn't be honest. With photos, I can tell you what yours is worth in less than 24 hours.

Do you buy it even if it is circulated or has defects?
Yes, provided it is original and has not been restored. For banknotes of this era, honest circulation is not a problem; what really penalizes the value is repairs.

Is Jovellanos the one from Gijón?
Yes. Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos was born in Gijón in 1744 and is the best-known figure of the Asturian Enlightenment. If you have this banknote in Asturias, I would be happy to take a look at it.

The other banknotes of this issue

Other 25 peseta banknotes from the Bank of Spain

If you are not quite sure which one is yours, compare it to these: they are all 25 pesetas but from different issues.

General guide: selling old Bank of Spain banknotes. If you have more pesetas stored around the house, check 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

Back to blog

Leave a comment

¿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.

¿Prefieres traerlo a mi tienda de Gijón?

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