1906 25-peseta banknote: what it is and what to do if you have one

If you have before you a banknote that reads EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA, 25 PESETAS, and the date September 24, 1906, this is what you have: the banknote cataloged as Pick-57.

It is part of the first series of allegories (1906-1907): the Bank of Spain stopped putting faces of historical figures on their notes and returned to commissioning their banknotes from the London firm Bradbury Wilkinson, featuring allegorical figures on the obverse and the coat of arms of Spain on the reverse.

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

What this banknote represents

It does not feature any historical figure: on the obverse appears a seated allegorical female figure, and on the reverse, the coat of arms of Spain. It is the lowest value note of the first series of allegories, which the Bank of Spain commissioned from the London printer Bradbury Wilkinson.

It was in circulation for many years, which is noticeable in the specimens that appear: some bear the dry stamp of the Republic (1931) and others, in addition, a "Spanish State, Burgos" stamp that the Francoist side applied starting in 1936 so that they would continue to circulate in their territory.

Banknote fact sheet

Face value	25 pesetas
Date of note	September 24, 1906
Pick Catalog	P-57
Printer	Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London
Series	no series and series A to C
Dimensions	124 × 81 mm
Put into circulation	March 4, 1907
Signatures	The Count of Sagasta, Emilio Rodero and Luis Clemente Fabiani
Obverse	Seated allegorical female figure
Reverse	Coat of arms of Spain

How to tell if yours is original

It is worth knowing this first, 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 printed in London by the Bradbury Wilkinson firm, one of the world's great banknote printers, using intaglio (steel engraving) technique. 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 title letters: on an original, you can feel the raised ink. A facsimile printed in offset is completely flat.
• Engraved line, not halftone. With a ten-power magnifying glass, the original engraving is made up of fine, continuous lines. If you see a grid of dots, it is a modern print.
• Watermark in the paper paste. When held up to the light, the watermark should appear formed within the paper, not printed on top.
• Banknote paper, not photocopy paper. The original is a durable paper with body, which makes a sound when flicked. Modern coated paper is smooth and cold.

Specific checks for this banknote

• Measure it. This banknote measures 124 × 81 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 — a seated allegorical female figure. On the reverse — the coat of arms of Spain.
• Look at the upper right corner of the obverse. Some specimens bear a dry stamp (in relief, without ink): this is the validation performed by the Second Republic in 1931 so they would continue to circulate. You can feel it by running your finger over it, and sometimes it is visible to the naked eye. It is not a defect: with and without the stamp are two different catalog variants (the "a" and "b" of the Pick).
• Look for the printer's imprint. Originals have the name of the printer, Bradbury Wilkinson, printed in very small letters next to the word "London." If it is missing or blurry, be suspicious.
• Keep the print run in mind. Tens of millions of copies were printed, as it was a daily-use banknote. That is why today, what matters most is the condition of each one.

I will confirm it 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 tell you today, no obligation
WhatsApp +34 644 54 98 79
info@iberoamericanabanknotes.com

What makes it worth more or less

This is a banknote that was printed in large quantities, so preservation dictates almost everything here: a worn and torn one is worth little, and a clean one, without strong folds and without repairs, is worth quite a bit more. The variant (with or without dry stamp, with or without Burgos stamp) and the series also play a role.

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

And before showing it to anyone: do not iron it, do not wash it, do not stick anything on with tape, and do not put it in soft PVC. All four things are irreversible. I explain this in detail in the guide to selling antique 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 answer you in less than 24 hours telling you what you have and, if I am interested, with a firm offer. I pay for the shipping, and I transfer the money the same day I receive and verify the piece; if it does not match the photos, I will return it to you at my own expense.

I am Fran, from Iberoamericana Banknotes, an authorized PMG dealer. I can also appraise it just for insurance or inheritance purposes, without buying 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 to your home to see it at no cost, or we can look at it calmly in my shop in Gijón, on Calle Cabrales 77, by appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What appears on the 1906 25 pesetas banknote?
It does not feature any historical figure. On the obverse there is a seated allegorical female figure and on the reverse, the coat of arms of Spain.

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 pattern on a copy) and run your finger over the letters looking for relief. If you have doubts, send me photos and I will tell you for free, even if it turns out to be a facsimile.

How much is the 1906 25 pesetas banknote worth?
It depends entirely on the specimen: the preservation, the margins, and any repair move the price drastically. I do not give blind figures because it would not 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, as long as it is original and has not been restored. For banknotes from this era, honest circulation is not a problem; what really penalizes is the repair.

What is the relief stamp that mine has?
It is the dry stamp with which the Second Republic revalidated these banknotes in 1931, in the upper right corner of the obverse. It is not a defect: it is a recognized catalog variant.

The other banknotes from this issue

• 50 pesetas banknote of 1906 — the allegory with the caduceus
• 100 pesetas banknote of 1906 — the allegories with the lyre
• 500 pesetas banknote of 1907 (January issue) — "the medallion"
• 1000 pesetas banknote of 1907 (May issue) — "the angel"

Other 25 pesetas banknotes from the Bank of Spain

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

• 25 pesetas banknote of 1874 — children carrying baskets
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1875 — the farm woman and Mercury
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1884 (January issue) — the geography lesson
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1884 (July issue) — Santillán
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1886 — Goya
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1889 — Goya (second issue)
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1893 — Jovellanos
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1899 — Quevedo
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1904 — the banknote that did not circulate
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1907 — the Alhambra
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1908 — Quintana (the one that did not circulate)
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1926 — Saint Francis Xavier
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1928 — Calderón de la Barca
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1936 — Joaquín Sorolla
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1937 — Columbus (the one that never circulated)
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1938 — the Giralda (Burgos)
• 25 pesetas banknote of 1940 — Juan de Herrera

General guide: selling antique Bank of Spain banknotes. If you have more pesetas stored at home, see 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