The Banknotes of the Council of Asturias and León.

In the fascinating world of numismatics, the banknotes of the Council of Asturias and León , known as "Belarminos" in honor of Belarmino Tomás, president of the Sovereign Council during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), shine like true historical gems. Issued in Gijón to alleviate the shortage of small change in an isolated Asturias, these 0.25, 0.40, 0.50, 1, and 2 peseta banknotes, put into circulation in September 1937, reflect the urgency and resilience of a region under siege. With designs that celebrate republican identity and Asturian industriousness, the Belarminos are coveted by collectors seeking unique pieces of Spanish numismatic history . In our collectible banknote shop , we offer certified examples that capture the essence of a turbulent era. Immerse yourself in this legacy and enrich your collection with a piece of Asturian resistance.

Historical Context: The Ephemeral Sovereignty of Asturias and León

The backdrop for the Belarminos is the Spanish Civil War, a conflict that fractured Spain after the coup of July 1936. Asturias, a working-class and mining stronghold, aligned itself with the Republic, but the Francoist advance from Galicia and the uprising in Oviedo isolated it from the rest of the loyalist zone. The lack of communication with Madrid and Valencia, the seats of the Republican government, generated a monetary crisis: the Bank of Spain branch in Gijón received neither banknotes nor coins, and the local economy collapsed. To resolve this, the Interprovincial Council of Asturias and León, created in October 1936, assumed emergency functions, seizing private banks and organizing local defense and the economy.

On August 24, 1937, after the fall of Santander, the Council proclaimed itself Sovereign of Asturias and León , with Gijón as its capital and Belarmino Tomás, a socialist miner from Lena, as its leader. This act, described by historians such as Hugh Thomas in *The Spanish Civil War * as “socialist cantonism,” sought autonomy from the Valencian government, which perceived it as a challenge. For 57 days, until the fall of Gijón on October 21, 1937, the Council managed a war economy, issuing currency for wages, bartering, and basic necessities. The Belarminos , born in this context, not only replaced local vouchers issued by unions and town councils, but also symbolized the resistance of a region marked by the 1934 Revolution and its working-class tradition.

The shortage of small change—essential for daily transactions like buying bread or coal—was particularly acute. From the outset of the conflict, town councils, unions like the CNT and UGT, and even businesses issued makeshift vouchers, but their chaotic proliferation complicated commerce. The Council, under the direction of Rafael Fernández at the Treasury, decided to issue coins (50 centimos, 1 and 2 pesetas) and, given the difficulty of obtaining metal, banknotes in smaller denominations. This decision, announced in December 1936 in the newspaper El Noroeste , culminated in September 1937 with the Belarminos , designed to withdraw vouchers and unify the currency in circulation.

The collapse of Asturias in October 1937, following the Battle of El Mazuco and the siege of Gijón, marked the end of these banknote issues. Many were destroyed or demonetized by the Franco regime, which considered them Republican propaganda. However, the surviving examples, preserved by collectors or exiles, are now numismatic treasures that tell a story of ingenuity and survival.

Detailed Description: Designs and Technical Specifications

The banknotes of the Council of Asturias and León , issued on September 1, 1937, comprise five denominations: 0.25, 0.40, 0.50, 1, and 2 pesetas. Printed by the Gijón Lithography under the supervision of Germán Horacio, they used rough paper of similar quality to the 1936 banknotes issued by the Bank of Spain in Gijón. Measuring between 120 and 150 mm, these banknotes combine blue, red, and black inks, with anti-counterfeiting features such as handwritten signatures and seals. Unlike the Bank of Spain's issues, they do not bear the Bank's explicit guarantee, but rather the authority of the Council, with the text "The Council of Asturias and León will pay the bearer" on the obverse.

The banknotes are divided into two design styles. The lower denominations (0.25, 0.40, and 0.50 pesetas) feature an obverse centered on the numerical value, highlighted in bold typography, surrounded by simple geometric motifs that evoke sobriety. The higher denominations (1 and 2 pesetas) adopt a republican allegory: a seated matron, a symbol of liberty, with a lion at her feet, representing strength. Both designs include the signatures of Belarmino Tomás, Governor-General, and Rafael Fernández, Councilor of Finance, adding authenticity and a personal touch. The more elaborate reverses pay homage to Asturian labor with vignettes of miners, fishermen, and workers, accompanied by the motto "Peace and Work," reflecting the region's revolutionary spirit. The imprint "Lithography Control" appears on all but the 25-centimo note, a rarity that intrigues collectors.

• 0.25 Pesetas : The smallest denomination, with a central black number on a blue background. Plain obverse, no coat of arms. Reverse with a mining scene. Issued in sheets of 13x9 cm; some examples lack serial numbers, originating from sheets archived by the lithography company.
• 0.40 Pesetas : Similar design, with a diagonal red band for easy identification. Reverse side with agricultural motifs, symbolizing the rural economy of León.
• 0.50 Pesetas : Prominent number in blue. Reverse depicts fishermen, alluding to the port of Gijón. Scarce in uncirculated condition, according to catalogs such as Edifil.
• 1 Peseta : Features the Republican matron, with a lion and laurel wreaths. Reverse side depicts industrial workers, evoking the factories of Mieres.
• 2 Pesetas : The largest denomination, comparable to the 10 peseta Republican note. Obverse: Matron and lion, gray or reddish background in some variants. Reverse: Mining and port scene.

The lithographic printing, although rudimentary, ensured sufficient quality for circulation. The lack of complete serial numbers on many examples and the manual numbering on others reflect the urgency of production. According to Panorama Numismático and catalogs such as Numista, the banknotes were designed to be functional, not artistic, but their simplicity highlights their historical context.

Rarities and Variants: A Challenge for Collectors

The Belarmino banknotes are especially valued for their variations, which add intrigue to collecting. The 0.50 peseta note is the rarest in uncirculated condition, followed by the 2 peseta note. The 0.25 peseta note, by contrast, is more common, especially in unnumbered examples, as entire sheets were preserved by the Gijón Lithography Company. These are found in pairs, blocks of four, or even ten, according to Ramón Cobo Huici in *Panorama Numismático *. Another notable variation of the 0.25 peseta note lacks the yellow background on the reverse, possibly a printing proof.

The 2-peseta note features a numbered variant with reddish obverse backgrounds, as opposed to the usual gray, suggesting a separate print run. Furthermore, unnumbered examples of this denomination have salmon-colored backgrounds, indicating a possible second print run prepared but not circulated due to the fall of the Gijón mint. These pieces, described in catalogs such as Edifil (385-390), are highly sought-after rarities. Unnumbered notes, whether single, in pairs, or in vertical trios, are scarce as complete sets of all five denominations, which increases their appeal.

Counterfeits are rare, but post-war replicas for museums do exist. Authenticity is verified by the rough paper, fluorescent stamps under UV light, and lithographic quality. Compared to similar issues, such as the banknotes of Bilbao or Lleida, the Belarminos stand out for their working-class narrative and their brief circulation window, limited to less than two months.

Numismatic Significance: A Legacy of Resistance

Beyond their material value, the Belarminos encapsulate the Asturian war economy: 70% inflation, collectivized mines, and the crucial role of women in armaments factories. As Hugh Thomas points out, these banknotes reflect an experiment in self-management within a context of isolation. Their use in Cimadevilla markets, Langreo mines, and maritime evacuations makes them witnesses to daily life under siege. The press of the time, such as Avance , documents their impact: by prohibiting local vouchers and standardizing the currency, the Belarminos stabilized transactions in a region on the brink of collapse.

In the world of collecting, their rarity and historical context make them highly sought-after pieces. Forums like Foronum highlight their growing demand, especially for unnumbered or uncirculated variants. For beginners, a 0.25 peseta coin is an accessible entry point for learning grading (VF vs. UNC), while advanced collectors seek complete sets or the elusive 0.50 peseta coin in high condition.

Why Collect with Our Store?

In our collectible banknote shop , we offer certified banknotes from the Council of Asturias and León , with guarantees of authenticity and quality. Our selection ranges from individual banknotes to thematic sets that capture the essence of the Asturian Civil War. With expert advice and secure shipping, we invite you to explore these Belarminos and connect with the history of a region that defied adversity. Visit us online or in Gijón and begin your numismatic journey with a piece of Asturian resistance!

(Words: 1,502. Sources: Numismatic Panorama; Banknotes of the Civil War (Montener & Garí, 2017); Numista; Edifil; Hugh Thomas, The Spanish Civil War.)