1875 50-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, 50 PESETAS, and the date January 1, 1875, here is what you have: the banknote cataloged as Pick-7 and Edifil 265.

It is part of the January 1, 1875 issue: the so-called English issue, the only one of the 19th-century series commissioned from two London engraving firms.

Here you will find who or what appears on it, how to distinguish it from similar ones, how to check if yours is original, and what to do if you want to sell it. You will not find prices: I explain why below.

What the scene on the obverse represents

Instead of a single figure, the obverse brings together an allegorical group: women leaning on the crowned shield of Spain, cornucopias with fruit, a caduceus, and an anchor, with children dedicated to the arts in the four corners.

Each element has its meaning: the cornucopia represents abundance, the caduceus commerce, and the anchor navigation and stability. The reverse features classical male busts. The entire set was engraved in London, which is evident in the finesse of the strokes.

Banknote fact sheet

Face value	50 pesetas
Banknote date	January 1, 1875
Pick catalog	P-7
Edifil catalog	265
Printer	Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. and J. H. Sanders, London
Print run	245,000 copies
Dimensions	147 × 87 mm
Put into circulation	—
Obverse	Women leaning on the crowned shield of Spain, with cornucopias, caduceus, and anchor, and children dedicated to the arts in the corners
Reverse	Classical male busts on the sides with geometric designs

How to tell if yours is original

It is best to know 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.

The 1875 issue is the only one commissioned from London; it was engraved by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. and J. H. Sanders, two top-tier British firms. This gives these notes a recognizable appearance:

• English style engraving. The allegorical engraving is finer and denser than that of banknotes made in Madrid. Under a magnifying glass, you can see continuous lines, never dots.
• Combination of techniques: intaglio, typography, and lithography on the same piece, with very clean color overlapping.
• Relief to the touch in the intaglio areas.
• Watermark formed in the paper pulp, visible when held up to the light and not printed on.

Specific checks for this banknote

• Measure it. This banknote measures 147 × 87 mm. Photographic copies almost always lose two or three millimeters, so a ruler settles many doubts in ten seconds.
• Check the exact design. On the obverse: women leaning on the crowned shield of Spain, with cornucopias, caduceus, and anchor, and children dedicated to the arts in the corners. On the reverse: classical male busts on the sides with geometric designs.
• Keep the print run in mind. 245,000 copies were printed, but that was over 140 years ago and the vast majority were withdrawn and destroyed.

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

What makes it worth more or less

For this banknote, as with the entire 19th-century series, condition is paramount, followed closely by repairs: a specimen that has been washed, ironed, has taped tears, or trimmed margins loses significant value, even if it "looks better."

I do not publish price ranges, and here is 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 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. All four 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 respond in less than 24 hours telling you what you have and, if I am interested, providing a firm offer. I pay for shipping, and I transfer the funds on the same day I receive and verify the piece; if it does not match the photos, I will return it and pay for the return shipping.

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

You do not need to live nearby: I buy throughout Spain using this same system. And if you are from Asturias, I can visit your home without charging for the visit, or we can meet at my store in Gijón, at Calle Cabrales 77, by appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What appears on the 1875 50-peseta banknote?
It does not feature any historical figure. On the obverse: women leaning on the crowned shield of Spain, with cornucopias, caduceus, and anchor, and children dedicated to the arts in the corners. On the reverse: classical male busts on the sides with geometric designs.

How many were printed?
The print run was 245,000 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 matters is how many survive, not how many were made.

How do I know if mine is original or a reproduction?
The quickest way: look at the portrait with a magnifying glass (continuous engraved line in an original, dot pattern in a copy) and run your finger over the letters feeling 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 1875 50-peseta banknote worth?
It depends entirely on the specimen: condition, margins, and any repairs change the price drastically. I do not provide blind figures because they 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, provided it is original and not restored. For banknotes of this era, honest circulation is not a problem; what truly penalizes the value is repairs.

The other banknotes of this issue

• 25-peseta banknote from 1875 — The Peasant Woman and Mercury
• 100-peseta banknote from 1875 — Athena
• 500-peseta banknote from 1875 — The female allegories
• 1,000-peseta banknote from 1875 — The allegorical medallions

Other Banco de España 50-peseta banknotes

If you are not sure which one yours is, compare it with these: they are all 50-peseta notes but from different issues.

• 50-peseta banknote from 1874 — Rafael Esteve
• 50-peseta banknote from 1878 — Calderón de la Barca
• 50-peseta banknote from 1880 — Campomanes
• 50-peseta banknote from 1884 (January issue) — Mendizábal
• 50-peseta banknote from 1884 (July issue) — Bravo Murillo
• 50-peseta banknote from 1886 — Goya
• 50-peseta banknote from 1889 — Goya (second issue)
• 50-peseta banknote from 1893 — Jovellanos
• 50-peseta banknote from 1898 — Jovellanos
• 50-peseta banknote from 1899 — Quevedo
• 50-peseta banknote from 1902 — Velázquez
• 50-peseta banknote from 1905 — Echegaray
• 50-peseta banknote from 1906 — The allegory with the caduceus
• 50-peseta banknote from 1907 — Burgos
• 50-peseta banknote from 1927 — Alfonso XIII
• 50-peseta banknote from 1928 — Velázquez and the Prado Museum
• 50-peseta banknote from 1931 — Eduardo Rosales
• 50-peseta banknote from 1935 — Santiago Ramón y Cajal

General guide: selling antique Banco de España 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 will tell you today what you have.
WhatsApp +34 644 54 98 79