1 Brazilian Cruzeiro Banknote (Marques De Tamandare)

1 Cruzeiro Mil Reis (Issued 1954-1958)

A cool, steel blue dominates every surface of this one cruzeiro note, rendered in deep indigo and mid-blue tones that were characteristic of low-denomination printing economies of the mid-twentieth century, where a single-ink intaglio approach conveyed authority without the added production cost of multi-colour printing. Pale cream paper underlies the blue overprint, allowing the intricate guilloché latticework to breathe across the margins, while coral-red serial numbers punctuate the composition with precision. The restrained palette was entirely deliberate, distinguishing the one cruzeiro from higher denominations whilst maintaining the formal gravitas expected of sovereign currency produced by the American Bank Note Company.

On the front, the central focus is a finely engraved intaglio portrait of Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, presented in an oval vignette that occupies the middle of the design. He is depicted in military dress uniform adorned with medals, orders, and decorative epaulettes, his full white beard and composed expression rendered with exceptional line-engraving detail characteristic of American Bank Note Company craftsmanship. Above the portrait, the full title “REPÚBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL” is set in bold serif capitals across the uppermost border, beneath which the text “SE PAGARÁ AO PORTADOR” and “DESTA A QUANTIA DE” flank a central oval cartouche reading “NO THESOURO NACIONAL.” The large numeral “1” appears in each of the four corners, framed by symmetrical guilloché rosette patterns that fill the lateral fields with fine concentric geometric work. The serial number 082920 appears twice in coral-red ink, once in the lower-left and once in the upper-right, alongside the series reference “17574” repeated in corresponding opposing corners. Below the portrait, the legend “DOM PEDRO DE TAMANDARE” is engraved in small capitals, with two signature lines beneath it identifying the “DIRECTOR CAIXA DE AMORTIZAÇÃO” to the left and the “MINISTRO DA FAZENDA” to the right. The denomination inscription at the foot reads “UM CRUZEIRO” in large bold capitals with “VALOR RECEBIDO” beneath it, and the printer’s imprint “AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY” is set in small text along the very bottom edge.

The reverse is printed entirely in the same steel-blue ink on cream paper and presents an imposing architectural engraving of the Escola Naval — the Brazilian Naval Academy — identified by a label in small capitals along the lower edge of the central vignette. The building is depicted as a large, multi-storey neoclassical structure set along a waterfront, with its wide horizontal façade, regularly spaced windows, and an extended low wing rendered in precise intaglio line work that captures architectural depth and shadow convincingly. The surrounding border is composed of guilloché wave and scroll patterns that frame all four sides, with the numeral “1” repeated in the upper corners and lower corners within decorative cartouches. The partial title “REPÚBLICA DOS” appears across the top border, while the full lower legend reads “ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL” in bold serif capitals. The printer’s credit “AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY” is again present in small text beneath the central image.

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to exchange old coins and banknotes — a 1 Cruzeiro banknote from Brazil is accepted with other old or withdrawn Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes and converted into cash in one go.

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

Wondering who buys foreign coins and banknotes? Webuyallcurrency.com does — bring your Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes together with any other old or withdrawn currency and exchange it all for cash in one place.

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