1 Peseta ESP Banknote (Banco de España (Burgos Issue)) 1938

1 Peseta Peseta (Issued 1938)

Banknote design has evolved dramatically since 1938, moving from predominantly engraved portraiture and heraldic imagery towards integrated security threads, holographic elements, and machine-readable colour-shifting features. Yet the foundational principles visible in this Banco de España note—hierarchical typography, centralised authorising symbols, and sophisticated guilloché patterning—remain embedded in modern currency design across Europe and beyond. The 1938 Peseta demonstrates the classical approach to trust-building through intricate line work and carefully positioned denomination text, techniques that established the visual language still recognised by the public today. Contemporary banknotes have simply layered technological security over these enduring compositional standards rather than abandoning them entirely.

On the front, the note displays a striking two-headed eagle emblem at its centre, rendered in bold black engraving with a detailed heraldic shield positioned on the eagle’s breast. The shield itself features vertical stripes in red and gold with additional heraldic quarterings. The denomination text reads “UNA PESETA” in large, confident capital letters, positioned directly beneath the eagle. Above this sits the issuer’s name “EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA” in a rectangular cartouche with decorative border work. The text “PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR” appears above the denomination, declaring the note’s promise to pay the bearer. The issue location and date are clearly marked as “BURGOS 20 DE FEBRERO DE 1938” with the notation “II AÑO TRIUNFAL” below. Three authorising signatures appear in cursive script, labelled “EL GOBERNADOR,” “EL INTERVENTOR,” and “EL CAJERO.” The background features a soft green-grey colour with ornamental corner designs in black, and decorative corner roundels containing the numeral “1.” Finely detailed guilloché patterns and geometric borders frame the entire composition, with the printer’s mark “C.&C. BANCONOTE MILANO(ITALIA)” visible at the base.

The reverse presents a predominantly purple colour scheme with exceptional fine-line engraving throughout. A large circular central medallion bears the denomination “1 PESETA” arranged within concentric circles, surrounded by the text “BANCO DE ESPAÑA” in a semicircular arc. The numeral “1” appears in decorative roundels at each of the four corners. Elaborate scrollwork and ornamental flourishes flank the central medallion on both left and right sides, each containing a small architectural element or tower motif within quatrefoil frames. A serial number “D 9544804” is printed in the upper right and lower left corners in matching purple ink. The entire reverse surface exhibits the characteristic fine parallel line work of period banknote engraving, creating subtle tonal depth and texture throughout the design. The paper exhibits a warm, aged cream tone consistent with 1938 production standards.

Sell foreign coins and banknotes the simple way: this 1 Peseta banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com together with other old or withdrawn Spanish Pesetas banknotes, all settled in a single transaction.

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

Webuyallcurrency.com helps you exchange old coins and banknotes with no fuss, combining your Spanish Pesetas banknotes with other foreign currency into a single, hassle-free cash exchange.