25 Peseta Banknote - Bank of Spain, Gijón Branch (November 5, 1936)
Complete Technical and Cultural Data Sheet | Provisional Broadcasts during the Spanish Civil War
Introduction
The 25-peseta note issued by the Bank of Spain branch in Gijón on November 5, 1936, belongs to the rarest and most valuable series of provisional promissory notes from the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). These notes were created to combat the severe shortage of medium-denomination banknotes in the northern Republican zone, which was isolated from the central government in Madrid.
This technical-cultural sheet offers a summary analysis of its technical characteristics, design, known variants and historical context.
Main catalog reference: Pick S573 / Edifil 382. This value is notably rarer than the 5 and 10 peseta notes, with a smaller effective print run and limited survival due to the fragile paper and intense circulation.
Images of the Banknote (Front and Back)
Selection of high-quality images of real specimens (obverse with blue stripe, reverses plain or with stamps, and details of variants):
Technical Data
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Face value | 25 Pesetas |
| Transmitter | Bank of Spain - Branch in Gijón (in the name of the Central Deposit Fund) |
| Date of issue | November 5, 1936 (printed in violet or blue ink) |
| Launch | November 10, 1936 |
| Dimensions | Approximately 140 x 85 mm (larger than the lower values) |
| Paper | Ordinary fragile paper, without specific watermark |
| Impression | Improvised local lithography in Gijón |
| Estimated print run | Lower than the low values; part of the total issue limited by the 18,002,201 pesetas seized |
| Numeration | Without alphabetical series, simple black numbering |
| Main colors | Obverse: Black text, diagonal blue stripe. Reverse: Usually plain or with stamps in violet, blue, or red. |
| References | Pick S573 / Edifil 382 |
Design Description
Obverse
Central text: "THE BANK OF SPAIN / GIJÓN Will pay the bearer TWENTY-FIVE Pesetas." Date: "Gijón, November 5, 1936." Mention: "CENTRAL DEPOSIT BANK - GIJÓN." Monogram or coat of arms of the Bank of Spain on the left. Diagonal blue stripe across the banknote (distinctive of this denomination). Numbering in black. Variable handwritten signatures (up to 28 known variants from local employees).
Reverse
Predominantly plain in many examples, or with the cashier's stamp "Manuel Camarero" or "M. Camarero" in violet, blue, or red. Fewer stamp variations than in lower denominations, but some with additional annotations or indications of funds.
Historical and Cultural Context
During the Civil War, the northern Republican zone was isolated, leading to a shortage of means of payment. On October 24, 1936, the Interprovincial Council of Asturias and León seized private funds (18,002,201 pesetas) at the Bank of Spain branch in Gijón and created the Central Deposit Fund to issue checks in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 pesetas.
These provisional promissory notes circulated as legal tender. The issuance of higher denominations, such as the 25-peseta note, was more limited, intended for larger transactions. Validation with handwritten signatures gave way to stamps for efficiency.
New issues were planned for 1937, but a ministerial ban and the fall of the Northern Front in October of that year thwarted them. Culturally, they symbolize Asturias's ephemeral autonomy and the Republican resistance. Their current rarity (especially in good condition) makes them highly sought-after pieces.
The fragile paper and intense circulation explain why most survive in low states; EBC or higher specimens are extremely rare.
Known Variants
- Date and stripe color: Blue (predominant) or violet.
- Handwritten signatures: Up to 28 different variations.
- Reverse: Plain (common), with signatures or "Manuel Camarero" stamp in different colors.
- Some with cuts, overprints, or expiration dates.
Conclusion
The 25-peseta banknote from Gijón, dated 1936, is one of the rarest and most valuable pieces of the provisional issues from the Spanish Civil War, bearing witness to the economic improvisation and the struggle for autonomy in Asturias. Its distinctive blue stripe and scarcity make it essential in advanced collections of Spanish Republican banknotes.
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