50 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 50 peseta banknote issued by the branch of the Bank of Spain in Gijón on November 5, 1936 is one of the rarest and most sought-after pieces of the series of provisional checks of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
This technical-cultural sheet presents a complete analysis: from its technical characteristics and design to variants and historical context.
Main catalog reference: Pick S574 / Edifil 383. Its print run was notably lower than the low values, which explains its scarcity and high value in the collector market.
Images of the Banknote (Front and Back)
Selection of high-quality images of real specimens (obverse with distinctive stripe, reverses plain or with stamps, and conservation details):
Technical Data
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Face value | 50 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 150 x 90 mm (larger than the lower values) |
| Paper | Ordinary fragile paper, without specific watermark |
| Impression | Improvised local lithography in Gijón |
| Estimated print run | Very limited; part of the 18,002,201 pesetas seized (less than low values) |
| Numeration | Without alphabetical series, simple black numbering |
| Main colors | Obverse: Black text, diagonal green or brown stripe. Reverse: Usually plain or with violet/blue/red stamps |
| References | Pick S574 / Edifil 383 |
Design Description
Obverse
Central text: "THE BANK OF SPAIN / GIJÓN Will pay the bearer FIFTY Pesetas." Date: "Gijón, November 5, 1936." Mention: "CENTRAL DEPOSIT BANK - GIJÓN." Monogram of the Bank of Spain on the left. Diagonal green or brown stripe across the banknote (distinctive feature of this denomination). Numbering in black. Variable handwritten signatures (up to 28 known variants).
Reverse
Predominantly plain in most known examples, with occasional cashier stamps "Manuel Camarero" or "M. Camarero" in violet, blue, or red. Fewer validation variations than in lower denominations.
Historical and Cultural Context
The Civil War isolated the northern Republican zone, causing a monetary shortage. On October 24, 1936, the Interprovincial Council of Asturias and León seized 18,002,201 pesetas from private banks deposited in the Bank of Spain branch in Gijón, creating the Central Deposit Fund to issue checks in 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 pesetas.
These would function as legal tender. Higher denominations, such as the 50-peseta note, had a limited mintage for larger transactions. The initial handwritten validation was replaced by stamps for efficiency.
Plans for new issues in 1937 were aborted by ministerial order and the fall of the Northern Front in October 1937. Culturally, they represent Asturian temporal sovereignty and Republican resistance. Their extreme rarity (especially in good condition) makes them highly valued.
Poor paper quality and heavy circulation mean that almost all survive in low states; EBC or higher is exceptional.
Known Variants
- Stripe color and date: Green (predominant) or brown/violet.
- Handwritten signatures: Up to 28 different variations.
- Reverse: Mostly plain; some with a "Manuel Camarero" stamp in different colors.
- Possible additional funds/expiration notes or stamps.
Conclusion
The 50-peseta banknote from Gijón, 1936, is a jewel of Civil War banknote collecting, notable for its rarity, improvised design, and profound historical significance. It symbolizes the economic and political struggle of Republican Asturias and is a key piece in advanced collections of Spanish emergency banknotes.
© 2026 Technical and Cultural Data Sheets of Banknotes Issued by the Bank of Spain in Gijón |