200 Brazilian Cruzeiros Banknote (Dom Pedro I Blue Type)

200 Cruzeiros Mil Reis (Issued 1955–1959)

Printed by the American Bank Note Company, a firm whose intaglio craftsmanship was regarded as among the finest anti-counterfeiting technology available to Latin American governments during the mid-twentieth century, this 200 Cruzeiros note relies on the exceptional depth and precision of its engraved linework as a primary security measure. The dense guilloché patterning surrounding the central vignette was deliberately engineered to resist photographic reproduction, with fine-line rosettes and interlocking geometric lattices that would blur or break down under copying techniques of the era. The serial numbering, printed in red ink and appearing twice on the face, further served as an identifier for individual note tracking by the Tesouro Nacional. Together, these features reflect the transitional period of Brazilian monetary production, when physical engraving remained the cornerstone of note integrity.

On the front, the note is dominated by a large oval portrait engraved in fine intaglio at the centre, depicting Dom Pedro I, the founding Emperor of Brazil, shown in a formal military uniform adorned with decorative epaulettes and medals, his posture conveying imperial authority. The portrait is framed within an ornate oval border, itself set against an elaborate background of interleaved guilloché scrollwork rendered in deep steel-blue and grey-blue tones that extend across the full width of the note. The heading “REPÚBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL” is printed in bold capital lettering across the top of the note, with the text “NO THESOURO NACIONAL” appearing in a curved banner arching over the central design. Beneath this, the phrase “SE PAGARÁ AO PORTADOR” confirms the bearer note status of the issue. The denomination numeral “200” appears four times across the face — at each corner — printed in both engraved blue and in the surrounding panel work, reinforcing the value prominently. The series designation “SÉRIE 541A” is printed in red twice, once on the left and once on the lower right, alongside the serial number “043707” repeated in matching red. Two manuscript-style signatures appear at the lower portion of the note, attributed to the Diretor da Caixa de Amortização on the left and the Ministro da Fazenda on the right. Below the portrait, the denomination is spelled out in full as “DUZENTOS CRUZEIROS” in bold serif capitals, with the subsidiary text “VALOR RECEBIDO” printed beneath. The printer’s imprint “AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY” appears in small capitals at the very base of the note. The overall colour palette of the front is a sophisticated combination of slate blue, grey, and crisp white paper, with the red serial numbers and series markings providing the only contrasting colour accent.

The reverse is engraved in a rich warm brown monochrome, presenting a dramatic central historical scene identified in a caption as “GRUPO DO YPIRANGA,” a reference to the Proclamation of Independence at the banks of the Ipiranga stream in 1822. The large intaglio vignette depicts a crowded cavalry scene, with mounted soldiers raising swords and flags amid a landscape of rolling hills, trees, and gathered foot soldiers, capturing the energy and historic significance of that defining moment in Brazilian nationhood. The scene is rendered with exceptional engraved detail, showing individual figures, horses in motion, and layered perspective across the composition. Above the central vignette, the text “REPÚBLICA DOS” is printed in bold serif capitals, while below, the full title “ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL” appears in matching typography, framing the historical scene within the national identity of the issuing republic. The denomination numeral “200” appears in engraved panels at each of the four corners of the reverse, within oval guilloché cartouches that mirror the geometric complexity of the front design. The printer’s credit “AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY” is again printed in fine small capitals at the base of the reverse. The overall composition of the reverse is sober and formally arranged, with the brown engraving on cream paper giving the note a dignified, archival quality consistent with the high production standards of mid-century Brazilian currency.

Exchange foreign coins and notes with no fuss: Webuyallcurrency.com accepts this 200 Cruzeiros banknote and other old or withdrawn Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes, paying out for everything together in a single transaction.

• Indicate the quantity of 200 Cruzeiros Mil Reis banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Turn forgotten Brazilian Cruzeiros banknotes into money: Webuyallcurrency.com lets you exchange foreign coins and notes — even withdrawn ones — as part of one clear transaction, no specialist knowledge required.

Other Brazilian Cruzeiros you can exchange: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000.