This Nicaraguan banknote represents the 3rd denomination of the First Córdoba (Series 1985). The Series 1985 was preceded by Series E, F, and G notes. The first which was introduced in 1979, after the FSLN (Sandinistas) overthrew the Somoza regime. These post-Somoza notes features a less classical modernist design, although continued to use color coding.
Some notes of the 1985 First Cordoba were reissued as the Second Córdoba Overprint. These notes feature stamps, which revalue the note's original face value. The circulated alongside regular Second Córdoba notes, which lacked overprinted stamps.
Observe
The observe features a portrait of General José Dolores Estrada (1792-1869). General Estrada is regarded as a national, for defeating William Walker's Filibuster Army, at the Battle of San Jacinto (1856). In remembrance of the victory, the 14 September has been declared a state holiday. A watermark of Augusto Sandino appears opposite of the portrait.
The note's header reads the (trans.) "Central Bank of Nicaragua", it rests above intricate "flag" patterns. is the note's serial number "FB 1596315". Notably this header serial number is the first of a dual-serial. The second serial number being located on the note's footer, on the lower right.
Moving towards the note's center, its Spanish text reads (trans), "50 Fifty Cordobas". It rests on a decorative guilloché patterns. Notably this denomination was not reissued as a the Second Córdoba Overprint note. Those notes feature a overprinted stamp, at their center. Which begins slightly above this note's "1985" print date.
Additional number "50"s can be seen on the note's corners, resting on decorative guilloché backings.
Notes reissued as Second Córdoba Overprints have these numbers are stamped over. This opposed to the notes of the First Córdoba Overprint, which features "BCN" stamps instead.
Moving to the footer, there are 2 separate signatures. They are the (trans.) "Central Bank President" and the "Minister of Finance". If one closely inspects the footer they will notice microprint. In addition to the footer "cloth" pattern, is the underprint's "stucco" pattern. The watermark area also features microprint, in the form of angled lines.
While not present on this note, this note was printed by Thomas De La Rue, London. As most First Cordoba notes, with the exception of Series 1985. Feature the text "Thomas De La Rue And Company Limited", at their lower left. While this text has been simply omitted from the Series 1985 notes, the overall design remains the same.
When unmarked, De La Rue notes of the era can be recognized by some key visual features. Such as dual serial numbers, similar text layouts, false textured underprints, and seamless color transitions. The later requires a degree of skill, beyond the level of most counterfeiters. More often then not, this can be used for general identification. Such examples being the 1973 South Vietnamese 500 Dong.
Reverse
The reverse depicts an immunization clinic, during a People's Health Day event. After gaining control of the Nicaraguan government in 1979. The FSLN established a mass vaccination campaign, to combat the effects of the civil war. This primarily focused on providing rural people with vaccines against polio and other debilitating illnesses.
Just as observe the header reads the "Central Bank of Nicaragua". Below is patterns, similar to the observe. These complementary patterns form the note's registration element. Each side has a unprinted negative and printed positive. When placed over bright light, each side's positive fill these gaps, completing the light puzzle effect.
At the notes center is a note's center is a large number "50". Below is the text (trans.) "Fifty Cordobas". Additional "50"s are located at the notes corners. All which lay on various decorative guilloché backings.
Additional Notes
This note size is 155 x 74 mm or 6.10 x 2.56 in, slightly thinner than a US Dollar.
The preferred method to preserve this note are standard size protective sleeves.
The First Cordoba ISO 4217 code was NIO, it uses C$ as its official symbol.
The Second Cordoba was the only Cordoba variant to use a different ISO code.