1 Brazilian Cruzeiro Banknote (Liberty)

1 Cruzeiro Cruzeiro (Issued 1972)

Few low-denomination banknotes from South America’s mid-twentieth century carry as much symbolic weight as the 1 Cruzeiro issued by the Banco Central do Brasil in 1972. Currency specialists will immediately recognise the allegorical female head — a representation of the Republic of Brazil, drawn from the long tradition of depicting Liberty as a crowned female figure on Brazilian currency — rendered with a quality of engraving that far exceeds what one might expect for a single-unit denomination. The note belongs to the broader 1960s Cruzeiro Issue series, a transitional period in Brazilian monetary history before the currency was redenominated, giving it particular interest for those studying Latin American economic development. The restrained, confident design speaks to a country projecting institutional stability through its paper money.

On the front, the note is printed predominantly in tones of olive green and sage, with the central design element being a circular medallion framing an allegorical portrait of the Republic of Brazil — a female figure shown in profile facing left, her flowing hair adorned with a five-pointed star, rendered in finely detailed intaglio engraving that gives the image a raised, sculptural quality. The circular border of the medallion is sharply defined and set against a background of dense horizontal guilloché banding that sweeps across the middle of the note in a darker green register. To the left of the portrait medallion, a large numeral “1” is printed in a bold, upright typeface, flanked by further guilloché patterning that includes an ornate cross-shaped rosette design in blue-grey tones, providing both decorative richness and a degree of security through the complexity of the fine-line geometry. The issuing authority is stated in full at the top of the note in clean, well-spaced serif capitals: “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL”. Beneath the portrait medallion, the denomination is stated as “UM CRUZEIRO” in dark, authoritative lettering. Two facsimile signatures appear in the lower centre of the note, accompanied by printed titles identifying the signatories as the Presidente and the Director of the Banco Central. The serial number “B 15327 043177” appears in green numerals on both the left edge and the right side of the note, printed in a neat two-line format. A small numeral “1” also appears in the upper right corner, serving as a quick-reference denomination indicator.

The reverse of the note continues the olive and sage green palette established on the front. A prominent circular vignette occupies the left-centre of the design, framing a detailed architectural engraving of a grand neoclassical building identified as the Supremo Tribunal Federal — Brazil’s Supreme Court — rendered in fine crosshatch engraving that captures the columned façade, symmetrical wings, and formal front steps of the institution with considerable precision. The building sits within a lightly shaded circular border, set against the same guilloché-banded background used on the obverse, with the horizontal register of darker green running across the note’s midsection. The text “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL” is repeated in serif capitals along the top edge, and “UM CRUZEIRO” appears beneath the central vignette in the same bold lettering as the front. To the right of the central image, a series of vertical parallel lines creates a security banding effect, beside which a stylised numeral “1” is set within a curved, globe-like geometric frame, adding a further decorative and identifying element. The denomination numeral “1” also appears at the far left edge. Along the lower right margin, a small text inscription reads “CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL”, identifying the printing authority. The overall paper appears crisp, with no security thread visible from the reverse, the anti-counterfeiting protection being provided principally by the complexity of the intaglio engraving and fine-line guilloché work throughout.

Whether it is a single 1 Cruzeiro banknote or a mix of leftover currency, Webuyallcurrency.com exchanges Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes and other foreign coins and notes for cash in one straightforward process.

• Indicate the quantity of 1 Cruzeiro Cruzeiro banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Got a mix of old coins and banknotes? Webuyallcurrency.com will exchange your Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes alongside other leftover and foreign currency, settling the whole lot in one straightforward transaction.

Other Brazilian Cruzeiros you can exchange: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000.