1899 50-peseta banknote: what it is and what to do if you have one
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If you are holding a banknote that reads EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA, 50 PESETAS and is dated November 25, 1899, this is what you have: the banknote cataloged as Pick-50.
It is part of the 1899-1900 issue, the series that the Bank of Spain dedicated to Francisco de Quevedo: the 25 and 50 peseta banknotes are dated 1899 and the 100 peseta note is dated May 1, 1900. It was the first issue after the war of 1898, and one of the most counterfeited of its time.
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 explain why below.
Francisco de Quevedo: who is the face on this banknote
Francisco de Quevedo y Villegas (Madrid, 1580 - Villanueva de los Infantes, 1645), the great satirist of the Golden Age, author of El Buscón. The portrait is derived from the one painted by Velázquez, now lost and known only through copies by his followers.
The obverse features the portrait of Quevedo on the left and Mercury with the winged hat and caduceus on the right. On the reverse, in light green, is a reclining allegorical woman with a gear wheel and a bearded man with a hat. The obverse was engraved by Bartolomé Maura and the reverse by Enrique Vaquer.
Banknote fact sheet
| Face value | 50 pesetas |
|---|---|
| Date of issue | November 25, 1899 |
| Pick catalog | P-50 |
| Printer | Bank of Spain workshop, Madrid |
| Engravers | Bartolomé Maura (obverse) and Enrique Vaquer (reverse) |
| Series | A to J |
| Dimensions | 120 × 63 mm |
| Signatures | Antonio María Fabié, José Gurumeta and Antonio Góngora |
| Obverse | Portrait of Quevedo and Mercury with winged hat and caduceus |
| Reverse | Reclining allegorical woman with a gear wheel and a bearded man with a hat, in light green |
How to know if yours is original
It is worth knowing this first and foremost, because far more reproductions of Spanish banknotes from this period circulate than originals: collector's sheets from the seventies and eighties, catalog facsimiles, and press reprints.
This banknote was engraved and printed in the Bank of Spain workshop in Madrid, using intaglio technique on quality paper. This leaves specific marks that a modern reproduction does not have:
- Raised ink (tactile). Run your fingertip over the artwork, the numbers, and the letters of the title: on an original, you can feel the raised texture of the ink. An offset-printed facsimile is completely flat.
- Engraved line, not halftone. With a 10x magnifying glass, the original engraving is resolved into fine, continuous lines. If you see a grid of dots, it is a modern print.
- Watermark within the paper. 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, substantive paper that makes a sound when shaken. Modern coated paper is smooth and cold to the touch.
Specific checks for this banknote
- Measure it. This banknote measures 120 × 63 mm. Photographic copies almost always lose two or three millimeters, so a ruler can resolve many doubts in ten seconds.
- Check the exact motif. On the obverse — the portrait of Quevedo and Mercury with the caduceus. On the reverse — a reclining woman with a gear wheel and a bearded man with a hat.
- Beware of period counterfeits. This banknote was heavily forged in its time: in a study of 110 preserved specimens, almost one in five (19%) turned out to be a period counterfeit, especially in series A to D. A period counterfeit has interest for collectors, but it is valued differently.
I will confirm it for you for free. If it turns out to be a reproduction, I will tell you just the same: I gain nothing 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
What makes it worth more or less
Here, even more than preservation, authenticity is key: with so many period counterfeits, the first thing is to know if yours is genuine. After that, the condition, the series, and whether it has any repairs take precedence.
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 serves to cause disappointment. Send me photos and I will value your banknote, not "one like yours."
And before you show it to anyone: do not iron it, do not wash it, do not stick anything on it with tape, 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 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 respond 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 I will 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 any sale, and I can manage the PMG grading or consignment for you.
I buy throughout Spain, wherever you live, and the process is always the same. If you are nearby, in any municipality in Asturias, I will come to your home to see it at no cost, or you can bring it to my store in Gijón, at Calle Cabrales 77, by appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is on the 1899 50 peseta banknote?
Francisco de Quevedo, along with Mercury with a winged hat and a caduceus. The reverse features a reclining woman with a gear wheel and a bearded man with a hat.
How do I know if mine is original or a reproduction?
The quickest way: look at the artwork with a magnifying glass (continuous engraved line for an original, a grid of dots for a copy) and run your finger over the letters looking for raised ink. If you have any doubts, send me photos and I will tell you for free, even if it turns out to be a facsimile.
How much is the 1899 50 peseta banknote worth?
It depends entirely on the specific specimen: the condition, the margins, and any repairs change the price drastically. I do not give out 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 them even if they are circulated or have defects?
Yes, provided that it is original and not restored. For banknotes of this period, honest circulation is not a problem; what really penalizes the value is repairs.
Is it true that there are many fakes of this banknote?
Yes. In a study of 110 preserved specimens, about 19% were period counterfeits, especially from series A to D. With good photos, I can tell you if yours is original.
Other banknotes from this issue
Other 50 peseta banknotes from the Bank of Spain
If you are still not sure which one yours is, compare it with these: they are all 50 pesetas but from different issues.
- 1874 50 peseta banknote — Rafael Esteve
- 1875 50 peseta banknote — allegories of commerce
- 1878 50 peseta banknote — Calderón de la Barca
- 1880 50 peseta banknote — Campomanes
- 1884 50 peseta banknote (January issue) — Mendizábal
- 1884 50 peseta banknote (July issue) — Bravo Murillo
- 1886 50 peseta banknote — Goya
- 1889 50 peseta banknote — Goya (second issue)
- 1893 50 peseta banknote — Jovellanos
- 1898 50 peseta banknote — Jovellanos
- 1902 50 peseta banknote — Velázquez
- 1905 50 peseta banknote — Echegaray
- 1906 50 peseta banknote — the allegory with the caduceus
- 1907 50 peseta banknote — Burgos
- 1927 50 peseta banknote — Alfonso XIII
- 1928 50 peseta banknote — Velázquez and the Prado Museum
- 1931 50 peseta banknote — Eduardo Rosales
- 1935 50 peseta banknote — Santiago Ramón y Cajal
General guide: selling antique banknotes of the Bank of Spain. And if more pesetas have appeared in the same drawer, I will tell you which peseta banknotes and coins have value.
Send me a photo of the obverse and one of the reverse and I will tell you today what you have.
WhatsApp +34 644 54 98 79