1878 250-peseta banknote: what it is and what to do if you have one
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If you have in front of you a banknote that reads EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA, 250 PESETAS and is dated January 1, 1878, this is what you have: the banknote cataloged as Pick-17 and Edifil 274.
It is part of the January 1, 1878 issue: the Golden Age issue, and the only one in Spanish history that included a 250 peseta denomination.
Here you will find out who or what appears on it, how to distinguish it from those that resemble it, how to verify if yours is original, and what to do if you want to sell it. You won't find prices here: I explain why below.
Fernando de Herrera: who is the face on this banknote
Fernando de Herrera (Seville, circa 1534 - 1597), known as "the Divine," was the poet who inherited and radicalized the metrical revolution of Garcilaso, on whose work he wrote Annotations, which are the first great critical commentary on Spanish literature.
It is best not to confuse him with Juan de Herrera, the architect of El Escorial who appears on the 100 peseta note of 1874: they are two different people, from two different centuries and two different professions, who only share a surname. The fact that "the Divine" occupies the strangest banknote in Spanish history—the only one for 250 pesetas—gives it an additional point of rarity.
Banknote Profile
| Face value | 250 pesetas |
|---|---|
| Date of issue | January 1, 1878 |
| Pick Catalog | P-17 |
| Edifil Catalog | 274 |
| Printer | Banco de España workshop, Madrid |
| Print run | 300,000 copies |
| Dimensions | 170 × 90 mm |
| Put into circulation | December 1879 |
| Obverse | Bust of Fernando de Herrera "the Divine" facing left, with cherubs and geometric borders |
| Reverse | Allegorical female head with helmet facing left |
A note on this specific banknote. It is the only 250 peseta denomination in the entire history of Spanish paper money, so there is no mistaking it: if yours says 250 PESETAS and is dated 1878, this is it.
How to know if yours is an original
It is important to know this first and foremost, because many more reproductions than originals of Spanish banknotes from this period are in circulation: collector's sheets from the seventies and eighties, catalog facsimiles, and press reprints.
This banknote was engraved and printed in the Banco de España workshop in Madrid, using intaglio technique on linen paper. That leaves specific marks that a modern reproduction does not have:
- Relief to the touch. Run your fingertip over the portrait, 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 screen. With a 10x magnifying glass, the original portrait is composed of fine, continuous lines. If you see a grid of dots, it is a modern print.
- Watermark in the pulp. When held up to the light, it should appear formed within the paper, not printed on top.
- Cotton linen paper, rough and crisp when shaken. Modern coated paper is smooth and cold.
Specific checks for this banknote
- Measure it. This banknote measures 170 × 90 mm. Photographic copies almost always lose two or three millimeters, so a ruler solves many doubts in ten seconds.
- Check the exact motif. On the obverse—bust of Fernando de Herrera "the Divine" facing left, with cherubs and geometric borders. On the reverse—allegorical female head with helmet facing left.
- Keep the print run in mind. 300,000 copies were printed, but that was over 140 years ago and the vast majority were withdrawn and destroyed.
I will confirm it for free. If it turns out to be a reproduction, I will tell you regardless: 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
On this banknote, as in the entire nineteenth-century series, preservation is key, followed closely by repairs: a specimen that has been washed, ironed, has taped tears, or trimmed margins loses a great deal, even if it "looks better."
I do not publish price ranges, and I'll explain why: the value depends entirely on the specific specimen, and that cannot fit into a table. A generic number from the internet only leads to 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 tape anything, and do not put it in soft PVC. These four things are irreversible. I explain this in detail in the guide to selling antique banknotes.
How I buy it from you
You send me photos via WhatsApp—obverse, reverse, a detail of the serial number, 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 transfer the money the same day I receive and verify the item; if it does not match the photos, I will send it back at my own expense.
I am Fran, from Iberoamericana Banknotes, an authorized PMG dealer. I can also appraise it for insurance or inheritance purposes only, without selling it, and I can manage the grading by PMG or consignment.
I buy throughout Spain, wherever you live, and the process is always the same. If you are nearby, in any municipality of Asturias, I will go to your home to see it at no cost, and you can also bring it to my shop in Gijón, on Calle Cabrales 77, by appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is on the 1878 250 peseta banknote?
Fernando de Herrera. On the obverse—bust of Fernando de Herrera "the Divine" facing left, with cherubs and geometric borders.
How many were printed?
The print run was 300,000 copies. Be careful with a common misunderstanding: a high print run in the 19th century does not mean that many remain today. These banknotes were systematically withdrawn and destroyed, and what counts is how many survive, not how many were made.
How do I know if mine is original or a reproduction?
The fastest way: look at the portrait with a magnifying glass (continuous engraved line for an original, dot screen for a copy) and run your finger over the letters looking for relief. If you have any doubts, send me photos and I'll tell you for free, even if it turns out to be a facsimile.
How much is the 1878 250 peseta banknote worth?
It depends entirely on the specimen: preservation, margins, and any repairs change the price drastically. I do not give blind figures because it 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's circulated or has defects?
Yes, provided it is original and not restored. For banknotes of this era, honest circulation is not a problem; what really penalizes it is the repair.
Other banknotes from this issue
- 50 peseta banknote of 1878 — Calderón de la Barca
- 100 peseta banknote of 1878 — Garcilaso de la Vega
- 500 peseta banknote of 1878 — Pablo de Céspedes
- 1000 peseta banknote of 1878 — Cervantes
General guide: selling antique Banco de España 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 will tell you today what you have.
WhatsApp +34 644 54 98 79