10 Brazilian Cruzeiros Banknote (Dom Pedro Ii)

10 Cruzeiros Cruzeiro (Issued 1970-1980)

Intaglio engraving of the highest order defines the design language of this Banco Central do Brasil ten cruzeiros note, placing it firmly within the tradition of mid-twentieth-century South American currency production, where fine-line guilloché work and portrait medallions were the hallmarks of official issue. The layout follows a classical bilateral symmetry, with a broad vertical security band of tightly ruled parallel lines anchoring the left side of the composition and the central portrait commanding the dominant visual weight of the face. Printed in a restrained palette of muted purples and warm greys, the note conveys institutional authority through dense geometric patterning and precise letterpress typography. It is characteristic of the Banco Central do Brasil series of this period, in which European-influenced engraving traditions were applied to distinctly Brazilian iconographic subjects.

On the front, the central design element is a finely engraved circular portrait medallion depicting Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, rendered with exceptional detail — his long white beard and aged, dignified features are captured through close cross-hatched intaglio work that gives the portrait strong three-dimensional relief. The medallion sits against a hatched background and is framed by a clean circular border. To the upper right of the note, the issuing authority is printed in clear serif capitals: “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL”, with the numeral “10” positioned prominently in the upper right corner. Centrally beneath the portrait, the denomination text reads “DEZ CRUZEIROS” in bold, spaced capitals. The left-hand vertical band features a large ornamental numeral “10” rendered within an oval of tight guilloché scrollwork, interwoven with ruled parallel lines that run the full height of the note, creating a visually striking security column. The serial number “A03901 005171” appears twice — once in the upper left area and once in the lower right — printed in dark ink against the note’s face. Two signature lines appear beneath the portrait, each accompanied by a printed title: “PRESIDENTE, BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL” and “PRESIDENTE, BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL”, with two manuscript-style facsimile signatures rendered in fine print. A small engraver’s credit, reading “D. PEDRO II”, is faintly visible beside the portrait medallion. The overall colour of the face is a unified mauve-purple tone with subtle tonal variation across the guilloché and background fields.

The reverse presents a predominantly pink and olive-green composition, with the central vignette enclosed within a large circular engraved frame depicting the sculpture known as “Profeta Daniel” by Aleijadinho — the celebrated Brazilian Baroque sculptor Antônio Francisco Lisboa. The engraved scene shows a standing robed figure atop a sculpted plinth, with additional sculpted figures visible to the sides and a landscape with water and distant scenery rendered in fine line work in the background. Below the vignette, a caption reads “PROFETA DANIEL — ALEIJADINHO” in small serif type, identifying the subject precisely. The denomination “DEZ CRUZEIROS” is printed in bold capitals beneath the central medallion, with the numeral “10” appearing in the lower left corner in large format. The upper portion of the reverse carries the text “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL” in matching serif capitals, with the numeral “10” again positioned in the upper right. The right-hand vertical band mirrors the front in structure, featuring a second guilloché panel of tight spiral and wavy-line patterns enclosing a dark numeral “10” in an oval cartouche. At the lower right margin, the text “CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL” is printed in small capitals, identifying the printing house. The background field of the reverse is covered in fine rose-pink security printing, overlaid with the darker olive-green engraved elements to create a layered, anti-counterfeiting visual texture.

Whether it is a single 10 Cruzeiros 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 10 Cruzeiros Cruzeiro banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

From leftover holiday money to inherited collections, Webuyallcurrency.com will exchange or buy your Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes and other foreign currency, handling old and withdrawn pieces in the same simple process.

Other Brazilian Cruzeiros you can exchange: 1, 2, 5, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000.